Search - Articles

According to the old adage: a swarm of bees in May is worth a load of hay, a swarm of bees in June is worth a silver spoon. So what is a swarm of bees in April worth? No, I couldn't think of a rhyme either.It can't happen very often, so I was very

I always get a real thrill when I find the telltale marks of the leafcutter bee on the leaves of my roses and wisteria. Sometimes I catch them in action, cutting out a circle of leaf, or flying around carrying it. It doesn't bother me to find plants

There's something buzzing round the grape hyacinths. It's a fat, furry brown bee and it's being very animated. I love these insects and get a real buzz myself seeing them each year, because they're one of the true heralds of spring. Anthophora

The south-facing fence of our garden is covered all over with ivy, and the leaves are prime basking territory for all manner of insects. This last week, the solitary bees have started to reappear in droves. There are very many species all looking a

Make a bee-lineGreat flowers start with pollination, and for that you need bees. Find out how to get the busiest garden insects to work for you.How to... make a bee hotelGardens are extremely important for bumblebees, and vice versa. Bees need

as payment!!). But that's not all. Yesterday's whole lunch was punctuated by the activities of a very persistent bee, particularly determined to get to the table - not the food on it (or under it), but to one particular piece of timber. I've got used

garden. No bees. A shame, poppy pollen can be a striking jet black.PS - Whilst we were planting up the container, we were careful not to trample the mole hills nearby. I had thought they could have made something of an added wildlife interest

, bamboo canes or old flower stemsWood saw, drill, screws and secateursA mirror fixing for hanging the hotelAll year round1 hourCut the plank into four pieces to make a rectangular frame for the bee hotel. Drill guide holes for the screws and assemble

down into 10 categories based on the best wildlife-friendly garden features, the audit invites you to rate your garden's value to wildlife. All you need to do is tick the description that best matches your garden and tot up the results at the end

the National Bat Helpline first for advice on 0845 1300 228.