As some of you may know, I have recently published some birdwatching booklets, and I am considering finding a way of using my illustrations, writing, and new-found publishing skills to produce something to promote wildlife/beekeeping/forage provision/sustainable beekeeping to a wider audience. I am not sure how best to do this though, as I am a …
The Fluff of Dreams
Willowherb. One of my favourite plants, and at the moment it's exploding with great swathes of candy floss seedheads, although most of them have been harnessed with gossamer like the willow twig and agrimony here: I heard the twittering of Goldfinches as I walked along, so they are presumably enjoying the seeds. The Cuckoo Trail …
On the hunt for Ivy Bees
I am very fond of ivy bees, and I've a few big clumps of the plant in my garden and in places I walk past with the dog, so as soon as I hear they are out and about, I start scrutinising the flowers for this charming little species. As with many solitary bees, they …
Thermosolar Hives in Autumn
Another beautiful day at Berwick, visiting the Thermosolar hives, part of the Solar Bee Project. I didn't check inside the hives as by this time of year, the bees are sealing any gaps with propolis and need to focus on collecting nectar and pollen to provision the hive for winter. In any case, I much …
Sowing Seeds
I thought I would get ahead of the game and purchase some seeds before I actually need them, but while I still have a sporting chance of actually getting hold of some. I went to Seed Co-operative and decided to pick some bee-bird-human friendly seeds in my bid to increase natural food for my wildlife. …
Unsustainable Beekeeping
I started my beekeeping journey back in 2009, when following a particularly interesting module of my Natural Sciences degree with the Open University, I learnt about superorganisms and eusociality, aka colonial insects. I realised that it was possible to keep one's very own social insects - honey bees! - but I quickly became confused and …
Thermosolar High Summer Update
The bees have been rather challenged by the weather this year and my hives have seemingly plateaued after a slow start. Dealing with hot, cold, wind and wet needs resilient bees, and I was interested to see how the Thermosolar bees did this year. The site looks great. I love this sort of unmanaged management …
School Beekeeping Podcast
I recently featured on the Living Being podcast, talking about my involvement with schools and honey bees. You can listen to it here, or it's over on my Patreon as a public post. If you'd like me to talk to your school, or be on your podcast, please email me.
Summer Garden
I've been away for a week, and come back to find the Verbascum in full flow. It's a great plant, and bees and hoverflies love the tall spikes of exquisite little flowers. The buddleia is also in flower, as are the evening primrose - currently full of pollen beetles. I have masses of bindweed all …
Meadow flowers and the Thermosolar hives
It was a rather murky day for my visit to the Thermosolar bees, but the meadow areas were brimming with bees and butterflies. Marbled White, Meadow Brown, a couple of Small Skippers were flitting above the flowers and grasses, joined by a variety of bees and flies. There were also numerous banded snails which looked …
Wayward Bee 