Lonely Bees

Kate Bradbury writes:

I spent the majority of last week trying to identify the solitary bees in my mum’s front garden. For about three weeks each spring there are clouds of them, all buzzing around frantically looking for somewhere to nest (usually the lawn and borders). I used to think there was just one species but, in the hours spent patiently watching and photographing them last week, I noted at least three types. Or was it four? I’ve no idea

I’ve noticed the same thing in our garden whilst beginning the planting out of veg and the tending of borders.

They’re fascinating creatures, Solitary Bees. The ones in our garden search for a patch of fresh earth to burrow into and lay their eggs — a great sign of a healthy local eco-system, and also pretty cool. They’re the Johnny Cash of the Insectae world.