Tag: Mining bees

Posted in nature

Lots of Fun Guys

Posted on by BITM

The weather this year continues to be strange. Early October was relatively mild. Buddleias were still flowering and on the 7th, a very sunny day, I saw a Painted lady (Vanessa cardui), a few Red admirals (Vanessa atalanta) and many Comma (Polygonia c-album) butterflies visiting one, together with some Verbena bonariensis. There were lots of bees on these plants as well, along with lots of mining bee activity in lawns too.

Now, a month on, still milder than usual, the clocks have gone back and Samhain/ Halloween has passed. While the autumnal colour has been developing for a short while, leaves have only been falling in great numbers for the passed few weeks. Grass is still being mown although growth is slowing down.

It has been lovely watching the various birds visiting the Rowan tree (Sorbus) outside my flat. Alongside Redwings (Turdus iliacus) there have been a few Blackbirds (Turdus merula), Magpies (Pica pica) and many Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) eating the berries.

I have also noticed a Winter flowering cherry (Prunus subhirtella Autumnalis) in bloom too. 

This small ornamental tree can continue flowering until February if the weather remains mild and gives a wonderful winter interest.

Fungi have been putting on a wonderful show over the past month; some providing a splash of colour to rival the leaves during this transitional period. I noticed Shaggy inkcaps (Coprinus comatus) in late October, followed by many others, including puffballs, Common bonnets (Mycena galericulata) as well as Scarlet waxcap (Hygrocybe coccinea) and Amethyst deceivers (Laccaria amethystina).

This aging Amethyst deceiver has lightened in colour.

The latter, as the common name suggests is a lovely purple colour that fades to lilac as it ages. The caps are typically 1.5 to 5 cm in diameter and height of stem 4-6 cm. This fungi has gills and is commonly found in broadleaf woodlands containing Beech (Fagus) and Oak (Quercus) between June and November. I noticed these under some Copper beech (Fagus sylvatica f. purpurea).

I also found a carpet of Scarlet waxcap on a lawn, unfortunately I didn’t manage to get a good photo of them. However, it was an amazing view, bright red caps with orange gills. Photographs and information on this fungi can be found on the Wild Food UK website here.

Posted in nature

Bees in Winter

Posted on by BITM

Honey bees (Apis mellifera) overwinter in hives, huddling round the queen to keep warm, occasionally venturing out on warmer days. Bumblebees (Bombus) on the other hand have an annual lifespan with new queens, having mated during the summer and autumn months, hibernating underground until spring when they can begin a new colony; also sometimes waking up too early on warm days and foraging.

However over the past 10 years, in urban areas of Southern England, a trend has been seen with certain bumblebee species.
Initially Buff-tailed bumblebees (Bombus terrestris), but since then Early bumblebees (Bombus pratorum) and Tree bumblebees (Bombus hypnorum) have begun to nest in winter rather than hibernate. Consequently winter flowering plants such as Mahonia and Winter Heathers (Erica), Winter honeysuckle (Lonicera fragrantissima), Winter aconite (Eranthis hyemalis), Hellebores (Helleborus) and Snowdrops (Galanthus) are garden essentials; enabling these bees to access pollen and nectar during the colder months.

Solitary bees on the other hand will survive throughout winter in burrows or cavities as eggs, with their own supply of nectar and pollen close to hand (as the adults don’t survive winter). These include Mining and Mason bees which emerge early in spring taking advantage of Willow (Salix), Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) and Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) in bloom. Leafcutter and Carder bees emerge later still. The one exception are Furrow bees; like Bumblebees, the female will hibernate during winter and lay eggs in spring.

I have noticed lots of Mahonias blooming over the last few weeks, their bright yellow flowers and perfume is wonderful to experience during dull days. Somehow the colour shines more vividly against grey skies.

Mahonia eurybracteata ‘Soft Caress’, a Mahonia without spiky leaves.
Mahonia x media

Another shrub that has been blooming recently is Viburnum farreri, it’s lovely scent wafting through the air too.