bees – Meadow Orchard Project

The Hairy-Footed Flower Bee: An Early Pollinator

If you’ve visited Meadow Orchard this April you might have noticed a rather distinctive bee visiting our Apple blossom and Broad Beans. One of our lesser-known solitary beed is the hairy-footed flower bee (Anthophora plumipes). Often mistaken for small bumblebees, these bees play an important role in early-season pollination and exhibit several fascinating biological adaptations.Continue reading “The Hairy-Footed Flower Bee: An Early Pollinator”

Lifecycle Differences: Bee v Hoverfly

Often Bees and Hoverflies can look quite similar and it can be hard to tell them apart. Hoverflies don’t have a sting and some species have even evolved to look like Bees, Wasps and Hornets! In nature where a harmless species such as a hoverfly (the mimic) resembles a dangerous species i.e. a bee (theContinue reading “Lifecycle Differences: Bee v Hoverfly”

European Orchard Bees Nesting at MOP

Solitary Bees Our volunteers have been delighted to see a European Orchard Bee nesting in the habitat wall we installed on the side of our green metal tool shed last year. But what exactly are solitary bees and are they different from honeybees? When it comes to locating bee habitat, they pretty much like theContinue reading “European Orchard Bees Nesting at MOP”

Beekeeping – Spring ’25

The Bees are back in townWe welcomed bees and beekeeping back to Meadow Orchard in Spring ’23 and are happy to say that bees (and beekeepers) are really flourishing! With the cherry and plum trees blossoming we are delighted to be rewarded by the sight of emerging bees foraging in the warm spring sunshine afterContinue reading “Beekeeping – Spring ’25”

Homes for Solitary Bees

Solitary Bees and How to Create Habitat for Them

Did you know there are around 250 species of solitary bees in the UK? Unlike honeybees, solitary bees do not produce honey but play a crucial role in pollination. These fascinating bees build nests in hollow plant stems or small cracks in trees, laying eggs and providing food for their larvae. You can support solitary bee populations by creating ideal habitats, such as bundles of hollow reeds, bamboo, or drilled logs, placed in sheltered, sunny spots. By setting up these bee hotels or bug houses, you’ll encourage solitary bees to nest, enhancing your garden’s biodiversity. Learn more about how to build a bee-friendly environment and attract these essential pollinators!

Beekeeping

The Bees are back in townWe are proud to announce that we welcomed beekeeping back to Meadow Orchard last Spring! With the advent of the fruit tree blossom we were once again rewarded by the sight of emerging bees foraging in the warmer spring weather after they had been balled up inside their hives overContinue reading “Beekeeping”