Bee Happy's Plants for Pollinator's- Page for friendly advice,suggestions & links

I have two Buddlejas in garden planted by previous owner, one being the orange ball type and the other a deep purple colour. The latter was retrieved from the wilderness that was/is the front garden in March / April. It has been bent almost horizontal by the winds over the years, although its still firmly rooted in the ground. It looked very sad and sorry for itself when I uncovered it but, ever optimistic, I cut it right back and fed it a few times and it has rewarded me with beautiful,large,deep purple blooms . I think I could have perhaps cut it back harder, so I do that next year.

I also have two compact Buddlejas which I bought. One still has a few blooms on it ( despite the weather ). The other , which I purchased this year and was labelled as Pink Flutterby turned out to be purple .

 

I have a nesting box on my garage wall Gary. Took a year or two before it was used. My young nephew then decided to "clean it for the birds" so not used for couple of years after that. In regular use now....the moral is patience and dont fuss over it; the birds will use it when they feel ready to
Think a couple more boxes would be nice....I will look around the shops later

 

Im liking the sound of that one Lucius... whether it's pink or purple i'm orrrff to source one ...And you know now... what you need to do ....get a Pink one ...thats what I'd do ....in fact im gonna get both

 

I have several bird boxes, which the Birds seem to rotate with. For two consecutive years we had Sparrows use one box and then on the third year the Bluetits took up residence . We were very fortunate that year we actually saw the babies fledge. This year, however, the box was not used at all. But another box attached to a tree in front garden, which was not used last year, had Sparrows in this year.

I'm sure everyone knows this but male Bluetits build several nests for the female to choose which she prefers. I couldn't understand why they abandoned a nest after a few weeks, so looked it up. This year they did exactly the same and abandoned the same nest box after adding to what was already there from before but then she decided she liked the box attached to an old ariel on the side of the house, close to the eaves and sheltered.

Would like more boxes next year

 

I did think I was getting a pink one Nevertheless, its done well in a pot on the patio. I will try and find one somewhere else.

 

I have a few bird boxes mainly the cheap ones from the pound shops, early this year house martins was looking under the eaves they never nested , i made some nest to try and encourage them will see what happens next year .

 

Today's viewings in my productive nettle patch!

The pupa are Comma.




The larva (Caterpillar) are final-instar Red Admirals about to pupate!




Link below to see the final stages my Beautiful Red Admirals are going through
dispar

One very happy ME is Bee

 

A couple of bees buzzing about today loving plants already mentioned.

 

@martin-f Luv luv carder bees - their always called Chris Evans Bees here cos their sooooo frenetically buzzy

 

What did you use to coat the plastic with @martin-f and did you do both sides? I've seen these ready made nests for sale, yours is really good. Shame there were no takers but maybe next year you will have better luck.

 

Thanks BH I don't know what type they was.

Hi luciusmaximus, i used a ready mix concreate and mixed sawdust into it, yes I did the inside as well, I also made two swift boxes around the same time, swifts are easier to attract you can play there call through a speaker to attract them, i do get lots flying above my house, I didn't try this year but will next ,

Yes hopefully one year I will have them making there home here .

 

Common carder bee Bombus pascuorum Queens, workers, and males are almost completely brown or ginger. However, the shade varies significantly, depending on the location. Some have abdomens which are very dark, while the abdomens of others can be quite light. It is the only common UK bumblebee that is mostly brown or ginger.

 

Thank you BH I will have to see what other type turn up .

Granddaughter giving a helping hand .
WHAT JOBS ARE WE DOING IN THE GARDEN TODAY - 2017

 

@martin-f whata poppet she looks soooo pleased with herself too what a gorgeous smile ....Gold star helper methinks

 

Map reveals surprising number of names for a very common garden species
Map reveals surprising number of names for a very common garden species
Friday 08 September 2017, 13:23
Chris Hitchings
Slaters, Chuggy Pigs or Cheesy Bugs? How about Moch Coed, Woodywigs, and Pishamares?

These are just some of the different name for woodlice that have been getting social media users talking.

A map featuring the names of species has been posted by Twitter user Jan Freedman, who curates the natural history collection at Plymouth museum. He says he is collecting a list of names from different British dialects.



Only chatting to @Irmemac last night about LUVing regional dialect's
These type of list collections are brilliant ...I do LUV UM !!!