The first bumblebees of spring are always a delight. These queens have spent the harsh winter months under the ground, usually in a small chamber which they excavate in the autumn, and they are awoken by a rise in temperature. That such a small creature can remain safe through snow and ice in this way is a miracle in itself, but to emerge unscathed and looking ‘brand-new’ is even more surprising. We are used to the tatty nature of the small tortoiseshell and peacock butterflies that appear at this time, with torn wings and faded colours, but I always think that the first queen bumblebees look like they are back from a holiday in a nice warm climate! The drone of a queen always makes me look up and marvel at the fact that they can fly at all. At this time of year in my garden, there isn’t really a great deal for them in terms of nectar or pollen – only dandelions, but these serve the purpose well enough. Her next task, after replenishing her energy stores, will be to seek out an old mouse nest to lay her eggs.
-
Recent Posts
Archives
- August 2022
- March 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
- November 2012
- October 2012
- September 2012
- August 2012
- July 2012
- June 2012
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
Garden Tweets
- Some of the wildlife in my garden last month wordpress.com/post/dinchope.… https://t.co/NOeqMGGOmU 12 hours ago
- RT @ParkinsonDotOrg: Retweet in support of someone caring for a loved one with Parkinson's disease. We have resources to help care partners… 19 hours ago
- The second brood of swallows nesting in my porch are out! The sky above my garden yesterday was alive with swallows… twitter.com/i/web/status/1… 1 day ago
- Swallows feeding second brood at the front of the house but house martins are still investigating nest cups at the… twitter.com/i/web/status/1… 4 days ago
- So few butterflies around my garden at the moment. Pleased to see this single red admiral today https://t.co/Mi5cVjnpJe 1 week ago
Meta