Much honey bee activity in the garden today

[Johnnifer]

Much honey bee activity in the garden today, Sunday 7th October. A posse of about 50 or more (what do you call a group of foraging bees?) attacking the fruit bushes and also one or two in the flower borders. Heard the buzz from afar before I saw them.

Also saw a massive wasp of maybe an inch long. Again that was heard from a distance, a really loud buzzing and crunching as it crashed into foliage, looked as if she couldn't see where she was flying and then she was gone over the hedgerow and away.

 

[Erichalfbee]

This time of year there are queen wasps looking for a place to overwinter. I’ve chased a few out of my porch to stop them hiding up coat sleeves.
I have bees on the asters and remains of the sedum. Nothing but wasps on the ivy though.
Balsam is still going strong in the valley and both bees and wasps are dotted white, but we had a frost overnight so it might have got hit.
Still seeing the odd bumble on the nasturtiums.

 

[thorn]

It's cold in Leeds too. The birdbath had a coating of ice at 9.30am. Winter is icumen in.

 

[thedozzer]

Ours are buzzing around the mock strawberry bush = https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mock_strawberry enjoying the sedums and still brining in lost of dark blue, bright yellow & orange pollen from somewhere.
But its 21c according to the thermometer on the shed.

 

[beeno]

Moderate activity today as it was a bit chilly. However, five days warm weather coming up assuming they got the forecast right. All bar one hive were very heavy today, so they are getting there. The season seems to be getting longer each year. Last year they were all done by 26th September!

 

[Erichalfbee]

And my Rayburn has been on from the beginning of the month too
No need yet though the wood burner is lit every night now

 

[Gilberdyke John]

And my Rayburn has been on from the beginning of the month too
No need yet though the wood burner is lit every night now

My heating remains switched on all year subject to the programmable thermostat. If it's warm it doesn't come on. If not, such as lately, it kicks in. Ain't technology grand?

 

[Gilberdyke John]

Much honey bee activity in the garden today, Sunday 7th October. A posse of about 50 or more (what do you call a group of foraging bees?) attacking the fruit bushes and also one or two in the flower borders. Heard the buzz from afar before I saw them.

Also saw a massive wasp of maybe an inch long. Again that was heard from a distance, a really loud buzzing and crunching as it crashed into foliage, looked as if she couldn't see where she was flying and then she was gone over the hedgerow and away.

Which fruit bushes are they foraging at this time of year?

 

[Johnnifer]

Not so much activity today, Monday, just a solitary wasp pillaging around the raspberry canes and no sound or sight of a honey bee.

 

[Wingy]

0930 hrs this morning both allotment hives were very busy still hitting the HB and cream & orange pollen coming in by the bucket load. Almost resembled a summers afternoon

 

[Johnnifer]

The difference an hour or two of sunshine makes, honey bees are back on the raspberry canes in plenty. Not so many as there were a day ago but they're working hard and fascinating to watch.

 

[Finman]

.
During bad days bees come out like a swarm to do cleansing flight about 13-15 alock. Then they seem very active. It needs sudden sunlight.

 

[mike99]

My girls are going mental today flying around pulling in yellow pollen which I suspect must be Ivy.
Hefting the BB is very heavy as well.

 

[Popparand]

Busy,busy bees bringing in stacks of golden pollen - and nectar too...?

 

[Johnnifer]

Following a full on afternoon of sunshine activity is back to 50+ honey bees, half a dozen bumble bees and one or two wasps attacking the raspberry canes for all they're worth.

 

[Curly green fingers]

QUOTE=Popparand;648534]Busy,busy bees bringing in stacks of golden pollen - and nectar too...?[/QUOTE]

When you say golden ( yellow) ? It could be ivy , mine are on gorse and ivy pollen and nectar. Ivy flow..

 

[beepig]

Still on the ivy and 2nd super. Nasty nif, but their happy.

 

[Johnnifer]

Tuesday 9th October and there is less activity than there was a day or two ago but they're still busy on the raspberry canes. The redcurrant and blackcurrant canes are also receiving a share of the attention.

I spent the morning checking the plantsman catalogues and I've pencilled in the garden planner a note to order some Leptospermum scoparium seeds and plants. Just need to do a little research on what might be the hardiest of the varieties that are grown in the UK.

Good sources are looking to be County Park Nursery, Burncoose Nurseries, Bee Happy Plants and Yourgarden

links
http://www.countyparknursery.co.uk/
http://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/plants.cfm?pl_id=2501
https://beehappyplants.co.uk/bee-plants/leptospermum-scoparium/
https://www.yougarden.com/item-p-510338/leptospermum-manuka-tea-tree-collection

 

[Johnnifer]

whoops - duplicate post

 

[beeno]

Still on the ivy and 2nd super. Nasty nif, but their happy.

You probably know, but just in case there is a growing market for ivy honey!