First day of spring, 2020

And it isn't a bad day at all. We have got our daughter's dog for the day so I took it over to our local pocket park. It was a bit on the chilly side and although snowdrops are still in full bloom I saw no bees paying a visit.

Perhaps we need the temperature to rise a few degrees if these snowdrops

are to attract honeybees. Stefen Hill Pocket Park. 1 March, 2020

There were quite a few flowers about although for a variety of reasons they were not attracting insects. This rose, for example. The flower buds of roses may over-winter but usually get 'balled' and thus unable to open, but this flower has successfully made it through to the spring - but is unlikely to attract insects.

A rose has come through winter to produce a surprise bloom.

Stefen Hill, Daventry. 1 March, 2020

The curious male flowers of ash are also about to open, but again insect visitors are unlikely. I have featured their almost blackberry-like flower buds before but I am always struck by their curious form.

The male flowers of ash trees are easily overlooked.

Stefen Hill Pocket Park, 1 March, 2020

Laurustinus, Viburnum tinus, does attract insects, including honey bees - but not today. Throughout winter and into spring the leaves of this shrub may bear the mines of a moth, the Viburnum Midget - but I confess I forgot to check today.

Laurustinus, Viburnum tinus, is currently flowering profusely.

Stefen Hill, Daventry. 1 March, 2020

Whether insect pollination occurs on any scale I don't know but Laurustinus fruits are readily formed and neglected shrubberies occasionally harbour a self-sown specimen.


A very few flies were about. Phaonia tuguriorum and Eudasyphora cyanella but both are very common and have already been recorded from the pocket park. But I remain optimistic with a number of potentially exciting sites to explore.