> to support the earlier emergence of bumblebee queens and
the earlier build-up of overwintering honey bee colonies.
Oddly, we have not seen this with bumbles. Thirty or so years ago we used
to see the first Terrestris either late January or early to mid-February.
This year we first saw them 19 February (last year 22 February.
Honey bees are building earlier. Thirty years ago I used to hope for 7
frames of brood by the beginning of May for the oilseed rape - now they are
often wall-to-wall at the time and possibly building queen cells in late
April.
But I have to say that our garden is awash with insects during the summer -
including plenty of solitary bees and butterflies.
Best wishes
Peter
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