What's flowering as forage in your area

[Murox]

Don't need to count the rings really ... at 400 years it should have been listed in the register of ancient trees ....

You're to optimistic surely? doesn't that only happen in the 'home counties ' and Fareham of course.

 

[Erichalfbee]

You're to optimistic surely? doesn't that only happen in the 'home counties ' and Fareham of course.

And Blenheim

 

[Curly green finger's]

How wide is this tree?

Haven't had a tape around it yet, it might not be 400 years old a guess at this stage.

 

[pargyle]

You're to optimistic surely? doesn't that only happen in the 'home counties ' and Fareham of course.

If you go to the ancient trees register they can all be seen on a map and it tells you whether you can see them or they are on private land ...

 

[CLB]

Just been for a short stroll in Hertfordshire and seen Mahonia in full flower, covered with honey bees. Most likely some are ours as they're flying like demons in the sun today, but it's still only 7 degrees. Can this be interpreted as a good or bad sign for their welfare?

 

[Curly green finger's]

Just been for a short stroll in Hertfordshire and seen Mahonia in full flower, covered with honey bees. Most likely some are ours as they're flying like demons in the sun today, but it's still only 7 degrees. Can this be interpreted as a good or bad sign for their welfare?

Probably warmer in the sunshine, when you say flying probably collecting water and toilet duties.

 

[Bumble Bee Slim]

Peacock butterfly sunbathing in the garden today !

 

[Swarm]

Just been for a short stroll in Hertfordshire and seen Mahonia in full flower, covered with honey bees. Most likely some are ours as they're flying like demons in the sun today, but it's still only 7 degrees. Can this be interpreted as a good or bad sign for their welfare?

Mine were the same, it's warm in the sun and they prefer fresh pollen if it's available.

 

[Charente beekeeper]

My first primrose flower will open tomorrow. One single flower. It will soon be a carpet though just in front of the hives.

 

[Erichalfbee]

First of our Winter Heliotrope by the pond in the apiary

 

[The Poot]

First of our Winter Heliotrope by the pond in the apiary

View attachment 29904

These are flowering along the roadside verges around the village - their scent is really powerful and make a dog walk that little bit better.
Do bees benefit from them - I’ve not seen any on them here?

 

[Erichalfbee]

These are flowering along the roadside verges around the village - their scent is really powerful and make a dog walk that little bit better.
Do bees benefit from them - I’ve not seen any on them here?

Yes if it’s warm enough and they find them

 

[Michael Palmer]

Not too much blooming right now. Temperature yesterday -11F

 

[victor meldrew]

Not too much blooming right now. Temperature yesterday -11F

But plenty of moonlight

 

[Nannysbees]

Bees out collecting water and one little tinker decided to take a toilet break on my washing!!!!

 

[Antipodes]

Mahonia, Viburnum Tinus and the first hellebores have opened.View attachment 29791

Viburnum tinus having a second round of flowering here. Northern and Southern hemisphere at the same time!

 

[Charente beekeeper]

Viburnum tinus having a second round of flowering here. Northern and Southern hemisphere at the same time!

There's a lot of tinus in my new garden. I've never seen a single bee on it. On the other hand back in the north of France it was like a honeypot to the bees. Very strange!

 

[Antipodes]

There's a lot of tinus in my new garden. I've never seen a single bee on it. On the other hand back in the north of France it was like a honeypot to the bees. Very strange!

It can be strange like that. We have heaps of silver wattle here (native), which always flowers profusely in spring. I think you guys call it Mimosa in the UK? I've hardly ever seen a bee on it here, but as I understand it, over in the UK the bees go crazy for it.

 

[JamezF]

I was out in the veggie plot today and noticed that some of our purple sprouting broccoli is flowering again (last time was in November). No bees showing an interest though. The air temperature peaked at 5°C today and they're not stupid.

James

 

[Charente beekeeper]

It can be strange like that. We have heaps of silver wattle here (native), which always flowers profusely in spring. I think you guys call it Mimosa in the UK? I've hardly ever seen a bee on it here, but as I understand it, over in the UK the bees go crazy for it.

I've just bought a mimosa! I do hope the bees like it but now i'm wondering! I've also bought some different viburnums (fragrant ones). I hope they will enjoy them.

It's funny, this house is surrounded by woods. On our plot i think it's mainly oak, firs, chestnut, limes (not in flower) and a little further away more sunflowers than you can shake a stick at. As far as i could tell i got no sunflower honey last year. I got honeydew honey instead. I was expecting them to be all over the sunflowers...