Me new distraction counting 🐝

[Estellemac]

I downloaded an app I saw on Springwatch. I realised I have 5 different types of bee in my wildflower meadow (container) on the patio. Its my new hobby to divert my attention from the things that make me a Grumpy 😡 Troll. I watched a nest of Blue Tits fledge yesterday out of next doors tree. If I was working (or had a social life) I would miss these wonderful moments. One baby bird was on my decking at one point and it hopped on my hand so I could put on the tree with it’s siblings. They are safe from cats in our garden as Parker has set up a sonic weapon system to deter them from molesting his Sky Rats. So even when the Doctors think your telling them their job after 7 years of medical school and 10 years practice I can sit here safe in the knowledge that I will not let them get me down. We can all learn something new everyday. I didn’t think I would’ve liked bees but here I am getting up close and personal to take selfies for them to post on the Great British Bee count site. Some days I think they actually pose and smile for the camera??

[HeronNS]

My son had put a huge beehouse on a post in our garden, just to house the solitary bees which are so important for pollinating everything, It's like a little chalet, and the house part is horizontal lengths of bamboo. No residents yet, I don't think, but perhaps they'll find it before autumn and winter over in it.

[Estellemac in reply to HeronNS]

That’s what we’re hoping for. My bee hotel is the same.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

What a lovely picture!

[Soraya_PMR]

I planted one side of my garden specifically for the bees three years ago, and this year it is fizzing with life. This afternoon I told hubby to sit by the catnip and just listen....the different buzzes from different bees. ‘Busy as a bee’ is a true saying, they barely pause for breath.

Then this afternoon I spied a bee disappearing into a hole in the house wall. I was thrilled. I’ve had the bamboo things for a while, no bees 😧 but now one has decided to live in the house with me 😁 There must be more, very old house with plenty of cracks and holes.

Wildflower meadow in a container, now that sounds like a fab idea. Did you sew seeds?

[Estellemac in reply to Soraya_PMR]

So pleased to hear of your Bee joining the household. Yes I put seeds in a container and they look random and a mix of all sorts. Add contrast to the other things we have.

[Soraya_PMR in reply to Estellemac]

I believe you can get turf ready sewn with wild flowers. I was tempted to try it under my holly tree, instead I opted for Pulmonaria (lungwort) which likes the shade. It’s there that I see my first bees of the year, the hairy footed flower bee, as early as Feb/March.

[Estellemac in reply to Soraya_PMR]

I will research lungwort I read a bit about it for bees. We have some flox an alpine that has yellow flowers on stalks that attracts lots of bees but I don’t know what type. It was last year I noticed before I understood the different species. The garden has grown this year and is still a bit experimental.

[Estellemac in reply to Soraya_PMR]

Just looking at a place to grow it now. What a lovely plant thanks.

[Soraya_PMR in reply to Estellemac]

I’m unable to grow Hostas due to 🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌

The white splodged green leaves of the Pulmonaria however are 🐌 resistant as quite hairy. And they look as good as Hostas.

I’m going to remove the dead flowering stems soon, see if I can encourage a second flowering. It did last year.

[Estellemac in reply to Soraya_PMR]

Parker will be pleased to hear that. We are putting Hostas in the dry desert garden out front. They don’t like the rough surface of gravel.

[SheffieldJane]

I have a little water feature fountain in my garden and one magic day 6 blue tit fledgelings were playing around the rim of the water bowl egging each other on to get in. They played for ages it was wonderful to watch.

[Estellemac in reply to SheffieldJane]

So calming for the mind body and soul. Nature at its best.

[Rimmy]

Fantastic - birds and bees what are more wonderful !!??

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Our village has sown "bee meadows" in various places around the place, none terribly big but in verges between the road and a wall for example. They had one last year to see how it did - and this year we have quite a few. They are a mix of bees favourite flowers and herbs from the mountain alms and a just a riot of flowers once they bloom and the succession continues right through into autumn. They are so pretty - and need less maintenance than the usual stuff.

[Estellemac]

It’s a great environment to live in. I am just 4 miles from town but it doesn’t take longer to get to open country side. We have quite a few parks locally too that seem to have invested in the wildflower approach to increase habitat for bees and birds.

[Jackoh]

Lovely photo- does us good to concentrate on wonders of nature !!

[maria40]

Don't have your camera skills but I've been bee counting too. Last week I had so many small blue (Holly Blue) butterflies in my tiny garden that I gave up counting. I've just bought a very comfortable new garden chair which means I can sit in the garden for longer without my back complaining. Feeling a bit PMRd today but will go and sit this afternoon. Great therapy!

[Estellemac in reply to maria40]

I saw one Ruby Red butterfly rushed off for the camera (it’s just me phone) came back in seconds and it was fluttering off. Parker always says use your organic camera it’s imprinted there forever. Never miss a moment.

[maria40]

I still have an ancient phone without camera. Have promised myself a smart phone when it packs up but it keeps soldiering on! But I do agree that your visual memories are best.

[Estellemac in reply to maria40]

I was so reluctant to get a smart phone too and had to wait till mine packed in. I won’t upgrade either till this one stops working. It’s so handy but you do get a bit attached and forget old technologies. On saying that when you get Pred Head a smart phone is handy.

[ShellyC23]

What was the app? I’d love to know more about the bees in our garden

[Estellemac in reply to ShellyC23]

Hi ShellyC23

I put a new post on called Bee App with a photo for you.