What's flowering as forage in your area

[The Poot]

In the garden -

Echinops blue and white and a purple perennial thing, which was the favourite today.
Also this on the patio..

View attachment IMG_4382.MOV

 

[Wilco]

 

[Sutty]

Any idea what this is, it's growing wild 30m from my hives?
Also foraging on thistle (there's a field of virtual thistle "monoculture" nearby) and rosebay willowherb from a stroll around the area.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

willowherb - unsure whether it's greater or lesser (or should that be fewer?)

 

[Sutty]

willowherb - unsure whether it's greater or lesser (or should that be fewer?)

Thanks, I've not heard of that other than the "rosebay" version.

 

[Curly green finger's]

Thanks, I've not heard of that other than the "rosebay" version.

Great willow herb the one in the photo.

 

[Curly green finger's]

Clover and mixed fields .
Working the mixed fields yesterday and today untill rain has stopped play.

 

[Sutty]

There's a lot of ragwort locally: I know it's toxic to livestock & humans, is it any use to bees?

 

[Curly green finger's]

There's a lot of ragwort locally: I know it's toxic to livestock & humans, is it any use to bees?

Butterflies yes

 

[Erichalfbee]

There's a lot of ragwort locally: I know it's toxic to livestock & humans, is it any use to bees?

Yes bees forage it. The honey is bitter but I’m assured it matures to become edible

 

[JamezF]

Butterflies yes

And Cinnabar moths (specifically their caterpillars).

James

 

[Curly green finger's]

And Cinnabar moths (specifically their caterpillars).

James

I’ll look them up James , I’ve been watching the moths on the buddleia at night a bit when the weather has aloud
Way more moths around than butterflies.

 

[North End Bees]

There's a lot of ragwort locally: I know it's toxic to livestock & humans, is it any use to bees?

The bees will happily bring it in but it makes the cappings horribly yellow.
Not great when you're hoping for some lovely white lime cappings for candle making!

 

[JamezF]

I’ll look them up James , I’ve been watching the moths on the buddleia at night a bit when the weather has aloud
Way more moths around than butterflies.

I love them. The moths themselves are fairly small, but have beautiful bright red and near-black wings whilst the caterpillars are banded black and yellowy-orange. Ragwort is the caterpillar's preferred food source as far as I'm aware, but I often find them on groundsel if there's not enough ragwort about.

We had a fair bit of ragwort flower last year for some reason so we've had quite a few adults and caterpillars around this summer.

James

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

went up to the range today to check on some nucs.
Bees have definitely found the balsam, fresh nectar (not much) evident in all hives.

 

[maggiescrase123]

Any idea what this is, it's growing wild 30m from my hives?
Also foraging on thistle (there's a field of virtual thistle "monoculture" nearby) and rosebay willowherb from a stroll around the area.

Thats Great Hoary Willowherb - Epilobium hirsutum - there is loads near me lining the rhynes - i was wondering if that was where all the light coloured pollen the bees are bringing in was coming from.

 

[maggiescrase123]

Thats Great Hoary Willowherb - Epilobium hirsutum - there is loads near me lining the rhynes - i was wondering if that was where all the light coloured pollen the bees are bringing in was coming from.

Just read through older discussions - apparently the pollen from this plant is yellow so not what my bees are bringing in - I'll go back to thinking it's Balsam - even though none of them seem to show the classic cream body dusting.

 

[gregior]

Balsam is GO!

 

[Brenda]

Balsam is GO!
View attachment 37271

 

[Brenda]

Yes, flowering well here too.