Winter bees

Yesterday afternoon saw Katrina and I playing the part of a stereotypical middle-aged couple, National Trust membership cards in hand and ambling around the walled gardens of Polesden Lacey. The construction of the grounds date from the beginning of the 20th century, and are a mixture of formal garden, wild planting and vegetable plots. Whatever time of year that we visit there is always colour, even on this particular grey January afternoon. Admittedly there are sleeping earth beds and bare trees that are the expected fare, but there is also a 'winter' garden, constructed in the mid 1960s which was an oasis of flower. Hellebores, snowdrops, winter aconites, crocuses, viburnum, Christmas box (sarcococca) - they really cheered the soul. But what really stirred my blood were the bees. At least 15 of them were busily visiting the hellebores (plus the odd snowdrop) in defiance of the January gloom. It was mild, but even so they were like a message from the coming seasons - "We'll soon be here!" They were all Western Honey Bees (Apis mellifera). I did see one bumblebee in the distance and a single hoverfly, both of which escaped specific identification. That didn't matter. It was their presence that was reward enough.

Comments

Derek Faulkner said…
That's good to hear. My partner and I are NT members and numerous places throughout the year, we was at Chartwell a week ago. With her living in Surrey we meant to go to Polesden Lacey several times last year but never got round to it but it's on our Springtime list for this year.
1 February 2016 at 10:04
Simon Douglas Thompson said…
I reckon they'll be some out around here today, mild and sunny. Unless the wind is too much for them.
1 February 2016 at 15:12
Steve Gale said…
It's one of our favourite NT properties Derek. If you get the time, the wooded valley to the south is full of Marsh Tits, and I have seen Hawfinch there.
1 February 2016 at 15:49
Steve Gale said…
Too windy here today Simon, although they will seek out shelter.
1 February 2016 at 15:50
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