Osmia leaiana using Cotoneaster leaves for nest site video 17/9/16

Osmia leaiana using Cotoneaster leaves for nest site video 17/9/16

Osmia leaiana making very late nest site The warm September weather certainly helped my little Osmia leaiana with her nest site inside one of my solitary bee observation nest boxes.  I was wondering where she was collecting her nesting material from and eventually I...
Woodpecker damage to Nurturing Nature Orchard solitary bee nest box

Woodpecker damage to Nurturing Nature Orchard solitary bee nest box

Reasons to remove your solitary bee nest boxes 1. Parasitoids wasps, e.g. Monodontomerus This Nurturing Nature Orchard solitary bee nest box was completely full of Red Mason bee larvae, when in my own garden a short while after this photograph was taken. The larvae...
What’s happening to our conker trees?

What’s happening to our conker trees?

Its a moth not rust that’s affecting our conker trees Have you noticed whitish patches on the leaves of horse chestnut tree, which by the middle of summer, the whitish patches die and turn brown and you may believe that autumn has come early for the tree....
Asian hornets. A threat to solitary bees or bumblebees?

Asian hornets. A threat to solitary bees or bumblebees?

Are honeybees, bumblebees and solitary bees safe from the Asian Hornet? The Asian Hornet, Vespa velutina, or yellow legged hornet, is the first invasive predator of honeybees and has now arrived in the UK. It is known to have caused serious problems for European...
Nurturing Nature and solitary bees at Kew Gardens

Nurturing Nature and solitary bees at Kew Gardens

A great day out at the Hive at Kew Gardens If you get the chance to visit the splendid gardens at Kew this year and possibly next year, you must visit the award winning Hive. I was n’t sure what to expect as I approached this huge gleaming ‘see...