Bee enjoying the mild spell

Hi Janey

Great photo looks like Eristalis pertinax hover fly and very similar to a honey bee, its really early for this to be out and about , looking at the photo in detail its wings and body are pristine so I should imagine its only been hatched out in the past couple of days.

I checked on my bees this morning at the apiary site all coming and going all too early .... at least all the hives have survived up to now.

Really Gnarly....it did look very much like a Hoverfly....with an unusual face. I was thinking it was one left from the summer, not newly hatched. How will it cope with the winter when it arrives Gnarly? I have a small bee house near to the Hebe, will it be able to use that and hibernate? I've more pics of it, I'll put one on with it's face showing.

as long as it has the flowers to feed on it will find a warm spot underneath ivy etc on a fence but if we have frost etc not looking good OR if the robin fancies a tasty snack !.
Do you have a pond ?as this variety breeds in wet soggy parts around the pond edge.

If you spot it again can you get a photo from the top and look for a slight orange colour at the start of the wing (should be just underneath on the body) plus yours is a female.

Your bee house will attract Mason bees.

Gg

I'm beginning to wonder if we will have a winter this year Janey. And if we don't, could we please have a summer next year?! Your Hebe looks wonderful in the last picture. We have a lot of floods around us in the fields, but like you we are lucky to live on a raised up spot so we will be ok. Amber warning for here on Wednesday, and the ground is certainly flooding now....water running out of all the fields. I am so sorry for the people of York and all the other flooded areas. :( I am a little concerned for my bulbs and other plants too, as if it carries on this wet, there will probably be some roots rotting.

No pond Gnarly, but part of the garden is very damp most of the year, not underwater though.
yes, there are quite a few sealed up spaces in the bee house....waiting for next spring.

I know Karen we seem to be heading for a seasonless climate, cool, grey and wet, most of the year. It can be so depressing can't it. Fingers crossed for you Karen.....Jim used to live in Goodrum Gate in York and my nephew and family are at Riccall near Selby where the army have provided sand bags, if the Ouse nearby should overflow there....:((.

indeed....and Rachel and I were in York in October and seeing those photos on the telly.....eugh!

A lovely photo as usual Janey its so clear !

Hi Janey .. lovely pic.