Bees

[raysparx1]

Have you all noticed that not many bees are about this year? I know there is a disease killing some of them, apart from a lack of honey from the honey bees, what would happen to the world if suddenly all bees died? I find this thought very scary, as they do so much for the enviroment, would the world grind to a halt?

[sarah_louise]

Albert Einstein said that would be the case.

Colony Collapse Disorder and Varroa Mite are taking their toll on the Honey Bee (Apis Mellifera)

[sarah_louise]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1545516/Honey- bees-in-US-facing-extinction.html

[Theland1]

We'd all be stung .....

[raysparx1]

thank you sarah, specially for the link, they were talking about bees on the radio the other day and it really made me think, when they said how many were dying, it is really scary.

[LoftyLottie]

A good link Sarah Louise, another example of how human kind have damaged the natural balance of things. Very sad indeed. Apart from the good that they do, I just love bees.

Afternoon Ray, nice to see you again. Must admit I haven't been about quite so much on here lately. Am going to watch some baby owls being ringed on Sunday morning down at the reserve where I work as a volunteer. I am really excited. Do you remember me talking about the Marsh Harriers - well the young all thrived and left the nest about two weeks ago. They are still about on the reserve and are a joy to see.

Have a good weekend! x

[alfieblue]

Dear Ray - what can i say? The bumble bees/honey bees are scarce this year. However, I have, in my wee garden, many plants to attract them - and I have had quite a few little visitors - thankfully. I love to sit and watch them going about their buzzzz'iness!!! Excuse the pun!!!

Lets hope they thrive, as all wildlife, its a joy to share life and surroundings with them all. :o) xx

[LoftyLottie]

Hiya Alfie, good to see you! xx Have a good weekend. How's Pup?

[squarebear]

In China, people are pollinating plants manually as there are hardly any bees left.

[garner]

Hi ray, I am the same as alfieblue.I do have plants that are beneficial for wildlife, but have noticed not as many bees this year as other years.I would not want to live in a world without the birds / bees / wildlife ect, what an awful world it would be.g

[raysparx1]

Hi Lottie and alfie, hope you are both well, so good to see your names, Lottie that is superb, I do envy you, I love owls, also the harriers that is so good birds of prey are so beautiful, hope all goes well, alfie thats great about the bees where you are I can see you sitting there with pup wondering where the noise is coming from, head going from side to side looking for the "Buzzzzzzzzzzz" great image in my head, we are sadly lacking in bees where I am, no plums on the plum tree, not one, can that purely be down to non pollination? apples are fine, I do hope the bees recover because without them things would be very bleak. take care you two and hope to see your names about this part soon, Ray xx

[raysparx1]

Hi garner and squarebear, I never knew that about China, squarebear, suppose that is down to all the polution . it is great to encourage them. the heather we have is normally covered in bees and the rambling wild rose, but very few bees about. hope the winter is not too harsh for them and they recover.

[alfieblue]

Hi Lottie!! (excuse us Ray - just a quick wee conversation going on here!!)

I'm fine, how are you?

Pup is good - to date (over last couple of days) he has stolen : underwear, socks, duck tape, ball of string, trainer, etc etc!!!! All retrieved with a bit of ummm promise of cheese and treats etc!!! Thats my boy!!! Love him - but what a tealeaf!!!!

Robins are still attacking his rear end - when he goes out in the garden - poor pup!!! They are ruling the roost!!

Lovely to read your news. {Pup now snuggled up by me - he loves his life and we love him. :o)xxx

[alfieblue]

Love hearing from you all - keep posting - its a joy to read. :o) xxxx

[yogasun]

Hi ray!
It is a worry about the bees although there seem quite a few in our garden- they just LOVE the lavender.

Hi Lottie - are they barn owls? My song ringed some babies last year- gorgeous things!

Hi alfie ! Hope the pup's well !

Hi everyone else who comes and posts nature news!

Keep posting xxx

[China Doll]

I'm hoping it'll start a rise in the popularity of bee keeping again.

Not that I'm massively fond of bees (or any other insect as I've made abundantly clear many a time) but I was always intrigued by the 'magic suits' (my dad said they were magic and I believe him) that bee keepers wore in order not to be stung. Plus it'd be ncie to see it happening in Lonon as apparently eating honey made in the area locally to where you live helps with hayfever and my hayfever has been horrid this year.

Now did I not read somewhere that another reason for honey bees not being around is because of the introduction of african (?) bees as they tend to take over areas and are more aggressive than the honey bee?

[LoftyLottie]

Hi again folks. I'm fine Alfie, thanks.

Like you, we have a wildlife friendly garden with bees, but I must admit there are less than usual. Had a huge bumble bee in the other day who I had to rescue from a very inquisitive cat!

Glad Pup is still up to his old tricks! The worse problem we have with our little tealeaf is that tissues are his favourite thing to steal and our floor is always strewn with minute bits of soggy wet tissues!!

The two little dogs had an almighty bust up yesterday over who should have the post. They had a good telling off and had to sit in the naughty corner ;o) !

[madboutcats]

oh alfieblue glad to see your name here, ive been at my mums all week (since saturday) due to a landslide my bus has not been getting me to work (long story) so ive been at mums so i could get to work and ive not been able to reply to your post last sat, im sorry to hear about your friend ive been wanting to pass on my condolences all week to you. ive some cat tales to share which i'll do later, first thing first a soak in the tub,..... sorry ray to gate crash your post, have you also noticed the lack of butterflies.....

[raysparx1]

Hi yoga and China, we have Lavender as well yoga, but a real lack of bees, China your dad is right the suits are magic, so are the bees, they are very placcid things and re: the local honey it will definitely help you build up an immunity to the pollen, you should be able to get some localish honey wherever you live, I have heard about other bees being very aggresive, but It can't all be down to that can it, earth is so fragile and we all need each other, why is it always man that messes it up.!!

Hi madabout, hope all is ok, after landslip. yes, have noticed that not as many butterflies either, heres hoping all returns to normal real soon.

[LoftyLottie]

African Bees, China - Oh no!!!!

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Article1403.htm l

Run for your life!!!! :o(


Mad about Cats. There is definitely a shorting of Butterflies this year as well. I volunteer on a nature reserve and it is very noticeable (and in my garden). My Buddlea is not in bloom yet - I'm hoping to see some more butterflies when it comes out.

[LoftyLottie]

Another word for 'shortage' is 'shorting'. Believe me!!