"Spring" Sunshine Brings Out the Insects

Ok so its not quite spring yet but its been very warm in the sun today if a bit chilly out of it. But it was enough to bring out a few different insects to enjoy the warmth; good numbers of hoverflies were out visiting the crocus and celendine flowers, I saw a couple of large 'queen' bees basking on the fence and even a peacock butterfly on the conifer hedge in a sun trap, all looking good

 

I saw a butterfly (sorry, no idea of type) last Sunday. What was most interesting is - it was snowing! The butterfly was flitting around a car park and sought refuge in a tyre wheel rim.

 

I had a honeybee in the greenhouse yesterday, very lively.

 

twice i've seen what looks like the same bumble bee at the bottom of the garden, he's quite a bedraggled looking chap, its the Winter Jasmine & Kerria he's after but both have barely started to open and the Forsythia's are quite a bit behind them i think so i doubt he's finding much bless him.

i told him to come back next week as im sure there'll be more for him by then, i think he was a bit annoyed though as he told me to buzz off! sorry couldn't resist

 

I have seen a few large 'queen' bees over the last few days, still a bit lethargic and trying to find the warmest spots in the garden..

 

I saw a ladybird before the cold snap but I haven't seen it since so I don't know if it's hiding from the cold weather or the snow/frost got it?

 

Saw some ladybirds (about 10 in total) yesterday coming out of an insect hibernation box I made last summer so that was a satisfying sight

 

Saw my first bumblebee today. I bought a skimmia japonica rubella and it was on the flowers. It was very nice to see it buzzing about.