Wild Cherry blossom (Prunus avium) and Wood Ants (Formica rufa) Maulden Woods, Bedfordshire
Wood Ants produce formic acid, which can be sprayed at prey, predators and humans too, long trousers, cycle clips and a hat are needed to get up close. Birds can encourage Wood Ants to spray the acid on their feathers to help control parasites.
Archie our Labrador, enjoying Spring Bluebells
National Trust Ashridge Estate, Hertfordshire -Native Bluebells
National Trust Ashridge Estate, Hertfordshire – Native Bluebells
Archie, taking in the scent of Bluebells
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ashridge-estate/trails/three-in-one-bluebell-walk-at-ashridge
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ashridge-estate/features/protecting-the-bluebells-at-ashridge
http://www.wildlifebcn.org/news/2016/04/04/bluebell-barcoding-day
http://publicengagement.wellcomegenomecampus.org/page/bluebell-survey-2016
http://www.kew.org/science-conservation/plants-fungi/hyacinthoides-non-scripta-bluebell
Native Bluebell – Hyacinthoides non-scripta
Native Bluebell – Hyacinthoides non-scripta – nectar rich and visited by Bees, Butterflies and Hoverflies. Warren Wood, Bedfordshire.
Narcissus pseudonarcissus in Maulden Woods Bedfordshire
Native Hedgerow plant – Blackthorn Blossom – Prunus spinosa
No pollinators = No Sloes for Sloe Gin.
109 species of insect are associated with Blackthorn , including the rare Black Hair Streak Butterfly. As an early native flowering hedgerow plant, Blackthorn provides valuable nectar and pollen for bees and other pollinators. The foliage which appears after the flowers is food for many moth caterpillars. Birds, including Nightingales and Blackbirds nest within the thorny dense thickets and as part of the food web, eat the caterpillars and other insects on the leaves. Birds also feast on the sloe berries in the Autumn.
Chaenomeles speciosa ‘Nivalis’ Japanese quince – Plants for wildlife and Pollinators
Chaenomeles are an early nectar and pollen source. Fruits may be eaten by birds in the Autumn and left to become a shrubby tangle could make a decent protective nesting site.
Plants for pollinators – Edgeworthia chrysantha in the RHS Garden – Wisley
Berberis darwinii
Berberis darwinii can provide a good protective nesting site, within its dense thorny branches for birds. The flowers provide nectar and pollen for pollinators. Autumn berries provide food for birds.
Sarcococca confusa – tiny white flowers packing a powerful scent, followed by black berries
Tiny white flowers and last years red berries still remaining on Sarcoccoca ruscifolia var chinensis
After her winter hibernation Buff-tailed Queen Bumble Bee dusted in Sarcoccoca pollen seeking nectar.
Sarcoccoca hookeriana var digyna, its tiny white winter flowers providing nectar and pollen for Honey Bees
Packing a powerful fragrance, three forms of Sarcoccoca in the Anglesea Abbey Winter Garden providing pollen and nectar for awakening Queen Bumbles and other Pollinators.
Mahonia aquifolium
Nectar and Pollen maybe taken by Blackcaps, Bluetits and House Sparrow. Berries eaten by Blackbirds and Mistle Thrushes. Early flowering nectar source for Bees and Bumblebees. Bright Line Brown Eye, Cabbage and Peppered Moth Caterpillar Food Plant. Non-native introduced to UK in 1823.
Gardening Jules 