Bombus vestalis checks out potential nest site of its host, B. terrestris slo mo video
The Gladiator bumblebee, Bombus vestalis, is a cuckoo bumblebee Yes we have all heard of cuckoo birds. Cuckoos and their rather anti social behaviour are known to many people. But did you know there are species of bees and wasps that are also cuckoos? Queen bumblebees...
Bumblebee nest in your garden or allotment? What do you do?
Garden Bumblebee Nest. Information from the Bumblebee Conservation Trust I have had many bumblebee nests in my wildlife garden sharing it with my family and dogs. Personally I showed my own children where the nests were to be found in the garden. Similarly on...
Red Mason bee from egg, larva to cocoon video
Red Mason bee Osmia bicornis, from egg, larva to cocoon Unlike bumblebees and honeybees, which live in a social nest together as a family and work as such for the benefit of their siblings, Red Mason bees (Osmia bicornis) are just one species in a much larger family...
National Trust Wild Flower Gardening Book by John Stevens. My inspiration
National Trust Wild Flower Gardening Book by John Stevens I bought this book when it very first came out. Being a terraced house dweller in Liverpool for my formative years, with no garden and an outside toilet, it made me realise what I had been missing had I lived...
Painted Lady drops in for breakfast!
Painted Lady drops into my wildlife garden for breakfast! My 1st ever Painted lady (Vanessa cardui), butterfly, on 5.6.16 in my new house and wildlife garden. I used to get them a few times irregularly in the garden at my old place. It was feeding upon Bowles's...
First ever wool carder bees in wildlife garden and nest boxes! video
First ever wool carder bees in garden and nest boxes! The wool carder bee, (Anthidium manicatum), arriving in my wildlife garden absolutely took me by surprise. It was the first time I had noticed them. I was even more surprised when I found several females sleeping...
Pesticides and Bees:Keeping Bees Safe In Our Gardens
Pesticides and Bees:Keeping Bees Safe In Our Gardens Research Project Prof. Dave Goulson and Walacea (Back science you believe in) have joined forces to help you to help bees and buy truly bee friendly flowers. To get some background information read my article, 'How...
Sphaerularia bombi, the bumblebee queen castrator video
Effectively castrated by the nematode Sphaerularia bombi, these queen bumblebees cannot nest The queen becomes a surrogate mother for the nematode worms When hibernating in the soil, the fertilised female nematode, Sphaerularia bombi, which only infects bumblebee...
Wildlife Gardening Presentation/talk Risley Moss
Wildlife Gardening Presentation/talk Risley Moss Tuesday 14th June 2016 7pm This is the third in a series of talks by naturalist George Pilkington. Find out how you can attract wildlife to your garden. George will be showing his films and offering advice. Cost - £2...
Presentation by Nurturing Nature to Manchester Organic Gardeners
"Feeding Wild Birds" a talk by George Pilkington of Nurturing Nature Sat 14th May 2016 Manchester Organic Gardeners were pleased to welcome George Pilkington again to speak to members at the May 2016 meeting. George spoke to the group last year about bumblebees...