The Flight of the Bumblebee

“Well, now, my bumblebee, go on a spree…

catch up with the ship on the sea,
go down secretly,
get deep into a crack.”

It scans better in Rimsky-Korsakov’s Russian and not really sure why the bee wants to catch up with a ship.

Anyway…

As reported previously, the luscious crocus blooms

have been an irresistible snack for our bees

But over the last couple of days they have been joined by a visitor

The Queen Buff-tail Bumblebee… (just look at that lovely buff bum)…

hibernates and then emerges now as temperatures rise. She goes foraging to replenish her energy reserves, used up over winter.

She is carrying some mites

But unlike the disease spreading Varroa mites infecting honey bees that can give us cause for concern these mites that are found on bumblebees are different and generally completely harmless. They are detritivores that live in the bumblebee nests, eating old wax and general bee generated rubbish; when the nests are abandoned over winter this causes a problem for the mites, so they hitch a ride on queen bumblebees to get to the next active nest.

So, as she clambers from bloom to bloom

We wish her, and her hitchhikers, well

Put on your Red Jacket and sing Songs of Love

The sun is shining

seeds are sprouting

and it is time

to stock up on calories

look around

and sing your heart out

and with any luck…

Word has got around that red can be attractive. Sometimes it sort of works

and sometimes it is more a matter of taste

Saffron Snacks Anyone?

Today the sun shone and the temperature soared to a dizzying 11 degrees.

Time for a bath

and a good flap

Down at the hives things are on the move

Word has got around of a feast to be had

Arriving to take a look

Investigating

These anthers can be a bit bendy

but the pollen is certainly getting transported

Full load and setting off for home

This snowdrop clump was bouncing and vibrating with all the bee activity

and a contented buzzing was rising up

We are five days off the full “Snow Moon”

We, and the bees, hope it does not live up to its name.

Houdini is at it again

As you can see here, from an early age Houdini lived up to her name (or rather she was named to fit her behaviour)

Today she persuaded Cagney, her (foster) mother, to fly over their fence, walk across our field and then fly into the field next door

where the grass was not greener.

They had to be walked

down to the bottom gate

round the corner, through our gate

up through the meadow

past the reception committee

and back inside

to be checked out by their favourite drake

and a little wing clip

Elsewhere, signs of life are increasing

Double Figures!

As temperatures soar into balmy double figures

there are just a few remnants of the last week’s permafrost

Life comes bouncing back

Time to relax…

or to scrub the greenhouse roof

as promised

because the first inhabitants have poked up their shoots

The Camellia buds will now benefit from the warmer weather

The hens are pleased to be able to peck and scratch without bending their beaks and toes

while the Woodpecker still opts for the lazy option

So we welcome the new moon for a new start to what soon will become Spring

Unfreeze Please

Never has a forecast looked so enticing as the one for tomorrow

After a week of freeze, day and night

with all water solid

meaning much toing and froing taking water to animals

Some birds took it in their stride

But some who are normally heard but not seen became bolder

Some animals seemed dressed for the weather

but we will be grateful for the cosy prospect of two or three degrees above freezing

Cold Comfort

During this week’s freeze the local birds have been both bolder and more numerous in their use of our feeders.

With ground frozen solid both Blackbirds and members of the Thrush family have had a particularly hard time.

Over the last few days this Fieldfare has been among those taking advantage of the apples we put out

It is unusual to see one individual by itself

Has it lost its flock or is it disabled in some way?

Whatever the reason, it is getting what it needs as it keeps coming back.

Frozen Light

We are frozen

Only a light speckling of snow – which suits the Speckled Sussex flock

But when we look up we can see light in the distance

sometimes in unexpected places

Here old snow and new glow coexist

Even this monstrosity can be seen in a new light

Shadows and Light coexist

but watch out for black shapes overhead

Sometimes light is at the edges of things

and sometimes you have to look out for the hole where the light gets in

and you can always come home to the Glowing Goose

Ready, Steady… Sow!

Propagators… ready!

(Yes, the greenhouse roof will be cleaned very soon)

Seeds… ready!

Potting bench… ready!

(the roof will be cleaned)

Sowing schedule… ready!

Carol… ready!

First off are the Aubergines

Tucked up ready to go at 25 degrees – that is a lot warmer than we get in the house

Broad Beans are not so sensitive creatures

First Radish and Salad in the polytunnel

We are on our way.

Let’s Pretend…

Let’s pretend we can see signs of Spring.

Jessie is setting an example:

Things were happening under the snow

and now it has receded to hillside patches

things have a chance to emerge

These will soon be gone

The rabbits are asking

when they can have babies

So, for the time being, the grass maybe green

but who knows what’s over the horizon