What's flowering as forage in your area

[Xander]

Only in extremis. The pollen is toxic
Are they celandines though ?

I didn't really look too hard as I was in the truck but I'll take a morning constitutional that way and see up close.

 

[Ian123]

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[Wilco]

Yes, I don’t know if you have noticed the blackthorn on the A3 at Stag Hill? That always seems early!

By work? Yes, been going for a few weeks. I blame significant warming in the area from exhaust fumes and it being a relatively sheltered location.

 

[Swarm]

Blackthorn starting to bloom, willow has begun and a Chiffchaff was calling this morning. Two days it's the Equinox, Spring is here.

 

[Ambler]

Whereabouts in Somerset are you? We've had dandelions popping up here and there through most of the winter. It's been very odd to see them.

James

I'm just north of the Mendips, so not particularly cold. Normally I'm a champion dandelion grower, but this year, this was the first.

 

[Xander]

Celandines they are, a whole embankment covered in them.
A source of early nectar I believe.

 

[W0otz]

Flowering currant - must be inspection time
Please don't inspect yet, it's too early and too cold.

Celandines, some dandelion, blackthorn and cherry blossom around. If the weather was better I'd say there's definitely enough about that hive weights would be increasing rather than decreasing. Hopefully the weather improves before the blossom really hits its stride.

 

[Mabee]

In Edinburgh yesterday, lots of prunus in flower, gorse, and flowering currant, i’m just outside so usually a week or so behind.

 

[Moobee]

The goat willow is finally bursting forth and the bees appear to be bathing in the pollen!

 

[Nannysbees]

We're only getting the very first few Blackthorn flowers here. Feels like we're way behind many others.

James

Same here!!

 

[Sutty]

Bees were bringing in loads of pollen today, after scouting the local area I think it's cherry, though pussy willow is just starting to open too.
Spring is here! (As of about an hour ago - the equinox).

 

[SWHives]

There is a cherry tree in the allotment in full bloom. The bees were all over it.

 

[Newbeeneil]

Saw my first OSR flower of the season today as I drove past a field!

 

[JamezF]

Saw my first OSR flower of the season today as I drove past a field!

Not entirely surprised. Our Purple Sprouting Broccoli is just starting to flower now.

James

 

[The Poot]

I have a large rambling old chaenomeles, well overdue for pruning, which is currently very popular with the bees, despite the sparrows nipping loads of flower buds off!

 

[Swarm]

Had to take the dog to the Vet and noticed quite a few Dandelions out in the verges on the journey.

 

[JamezF]

Driving into Taunton this afternoon I noticed three fields of what certainly appears to be OSR just on the point of flowering. Looking at the weather forecast I can't see the bees getting out of bed until at least the weekend though.

James

 

[Ian123]

We’ve just driven back from Dorset/Somerset and there’s a lot of OSR around Stonehenge. It looked in really good condition green/bushy no patches in the fields and about 2ft high. Did see a few random bits in flower but am guessing it’s still a little way off yet.

 

[Newbeeneil]

OSR just starting to bloom locally. I think my bees will be on it in the next week or so..

 

[Nighthaunt]

Weight of hive in Kent in increasing for last few days (peak is evening when all foragers back and then reduces as water driven off) - has seen a small increase for last few days despite wet weather - so colonies are able to support themselves with more coming in than being used.