Things are buzzing.......!

This last weekend got off to a good start with a new bee species identified in the garden. It was a mining bee and one of the earliest to emerge in the Spring.  It is called Andrena clerkella and is seen usually around sallow which is flowering now in the garden at the outside classroom. 

The black facial hairs help with the identification of this species.  An attractive bee of which we shall probably see more of over the next week or so.  A second record for the garden of Tree Bumblebee (Bombus hypnorum) was made as it fed in one of the Daffodil flowers.  By the size of the insect it was a queen.  Also a queen Buff-tailed Bumblebee was seen resting on the grass.

Tree Bumblebee

Queen Buff-tailed Bumblebee

In the pond lots of water boatmen were enjoying the fine weather and a couple of pond skaters.  The net was removed as the winter has hopefully passed and the huge amount of frog spawn was clearly visible.  Already the 'full stops' are becoming 'commas'. 

Masses of frog spawn on the pond edge

The tadpoles are developing already

The daffodils are hanging on in the fine weather and the crocuses are probably at their best now.  They will soon be gone!  The bees are enjoying them though while they are still there

Work continued in the greenhouse and hopefully during the week the first load of brick rubble can be broken up and put into the base of the Jurassic garden.

The ever present Herring Gulls - now paired up and looking for nesting sites kept a close eye on us.