Bee gone.

A nice afternoon in the garden. Warm temperature, birds singing and plenty of flowers are either open, or are in the process of opening. There's a pink rhododendron in bloom and some Azalea bushes, one showing pink flowers and the other one yellow. Many other flowers both planted and wild are now adding a bit of colour to the view. Just how a garden should be in my opinion. A mixture of wild and roughly cultivated areas.

Only one thing wrong out there. No bees! I've seen news items about the disappearing bees but this is the first time I've seen evidence of it myself. I'm sure there should be some out there on an afternoon like this one. All very strange and a little worrying. I hope their absence is only temporary. I'm going to be looking out for them from now on.

Re: Bee gone.

I'll be glad - I don't like them! Tho hate wasps more wish they would disappear

Re: Bee gone.

Naughty Azz, if the bees disappear who will pollinate the plants? They are very important to us.

I have just checked our bees, there isn't one there We have lived side by side with them since 1978 when we first moved here, they resided in the wall. It's very worrying.

Re: Bee gone.

Colony crash is a serious problem with bees on our side of the Pond too. I haven't seen more than one or two so far this season.

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well down the allotment there have been quite a few big bumble bees flying around.

We should all plant a few plants that bees like

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Here's a reminder of some bee-loving plants

Re: Bee gone.

Thanks for the link Mags. I've printed the thumbnails of the plants out (bet you didn't know plants had thumbnails ).

We have got hollyhocks, honeysuckle and sidalcea but they aren't in flower yet, The rhododendron is but no bees on it today.

Might get a few more plants that are on the list.

Edit: Not sure if I've posted this photo here. A bee with sunglasses on. Taken last year:

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They are all at mine and driving me mad as the dogs want to catch them and I am spending all day worrying they will get stung.

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Had 2 or 3 in the garden this afternoon. Would never harm a bee, but wasps they're a different story.....don't like them!

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There are loads here, the walk up the lane is like being dive bombed some days, yesterday one landed on my nose and fortunately didn't stay. There are hundreds of butterflies here too, all farming is livestock so no sprays used and the hedges are full of wild strawberries, blackberries, honeysuckle and roses which probably helps!