Its getting Springier!

[jonnybeegood]

Lovely day today & the weekend is looking good

 

[Erichalfbee]

sigh...................

 

[jonnybeegood]

Gonna be 26c on tuesday darn sarth

 

[gregior]

Gonna be 26c on tuesday darn sarth

Yes i expect the swarm collectors will be extremely busy from Sunday to Tuesday!

 

[kazmcc]

Terrible weather here in Manchester. I'm beginning to worry about my tawny mining bee I've taken to solitary bee keeping until I find myself in charge of another colony lol

 

[jonnybeegood]

Terrible weather here in Manchester. I'm beginning to worry about my tawny mining bee I've taken to solitary bee keeping until I find myself in charge of another colony lol

You mean one of these Kaz? This is the first year i have ever seen them here, quite rare up here i believe. We have quite a few this year.

 

[kazmcc]

You mean one of these Kaz? This is the first year i have ever seen them here, quite rare up here i believe. We have quite a few this year.View attachment 11730

Yes! This is her nest. Haven't been able to catch a clear picture of her yet, but I've seen her coming and going. Beautiful little bees!I'm getting pretty good at identifying the Andrenas lately.

 

[Ely]

Terrible weather here in Manchester. I'm beginning to worry about my tawny mining bee I've taken to solitary bee keeping until I find myself in charge of another colony lol

We have 100s of bees living in seperate little holes on our external red brick walls. I'm not sure what type they are ( need to get the book out) but they are very cute and fuzzy looking. Smaller than a honey bee

 

[bontbee]

Mason bees or leafcutters?

 

[kazmcc]

Sound like mason bees, you are so lucky! Check out the BWARS website. So many amazing little solitary bees out there. There is one little bee that lays her eggs in old snail shells, osmia bicolor, but we don't get them this far north.

 

[Ely]

Sound like mason bees, you are so lucky! Check out the BWARS website. So many amazing little solitary bees out there. There is one little bee that lays her eggs in old snail shells, osmia bicolor, but we don't get them this far north.

Sounds interesting. I'll check it out. Ta

 

[kazmcc]

They have a facebook group too and are very good with us novices. Lots of excellent pictures to learn from every day. Those guys know their insects! I've tried to build a nesting bundle from hollow stems, we will have to see if they use it.

 

[jonnybeegood]

Try drilling 6mm holes in some brickwork about 1" deep, they'll find them, even in some old bricks & put them about 6' up somewhere.

 

[kazmcc]

South facing if possible, and try and make the holes a bit deeper if you want them to nest in them. You may get roosting males in shallow holes, but the females like them deeper so she can lay more eggs

You've been reading the same stuff I have lol

 

[jonnybeegood]

No its just last year we had lots in our building entrance at work. There were signs removed over the years & the holes were where the screw plugs were removed, lots of holes were blocked by the bees after presumably laying eggs & storing lots of pollen.

 

[BrianO]

Ok that's it, gonna hang that " bee hotel " lurking in the shed.

Weather to improve tomorrow up to 15 degrees ... From 7 today and flooding !

Though I reckon will stand us in good stead, couple weeks ago ground was nearly parched, this has thoroughly soaked all, as temp goes up this soaking should enable a good nectar glow.... And is to dry ip .... Bring it on !!!

 

[kazmcc]

Ok that's it, gonna hang that " bee hotel " lurking in the shed.

The guys reckon there is still time for something to use them when I asked about mine, so good luck!

 

[jonnybeegood]

Its looking good towards the latter part of the week & onwards

 

[Bosleeu]

Its looking good towards the latter part of the week & onwards

Let's hope so!

 

[BrianO]

Indeed.. we need heat !!! and Sun !!!

Friday to improve hopefully the beginning of the summer !