Monday 3 June 2013

Hares, Fledglings and the June Flower Gap for Bees



As usual, many of our local fields have been planted with wheat this year, and walking through them on the footpaths in early summer is like walking through long, thick grass.  Because the fields are sprayed so regularly, I always assume there's no wildlife here at all, and any wildlife about is found in the surrounding hedges and field margins (or flying high above). But a couple of weeks ago all this changed, because I came across a couple of Hares.

I love Hares; so I was thrilled to see them.  They ran along the field separately and then one disappeared.  But the other stayed around long enough for me to watch it for a while. I was walking Harry and he was kept firmly on a close lead (although, to be honest, he didn't seem that interested). The Hare didn't let me get too close, and after watching it for some minutes, I left it in peace.

I don't know whether the Hares will stay in these fields or move on - and I'm also worried for them, because they have too many predators. The worst predators are two-legged kind, and there are plenty of those around looking for them. I believe it's long overdue for these wonderful creatures to have the protection in law that they deserve.









Elsewhere the Bluebells have faded now, and at the woodland edge they've now been replaced by Yellow Archangel...





I'm still hoping to see more species of butterfly, but at the moment I'm mainly seeing the 'whites'...

Green-Veined White















Small White
...although this lovely Holly Blue did settle outside the backdoor for a while...






I've been working with Mum and Dad in their garden, and noticed that two young Robins are coming to the feeders...






I'm starting to see more fledglings and I'm expecting the Blue Tits to leave the boxes any day now.  Mum and Dad have a nest camera on a box - and the Blue Tits there already have all their blue and yellow feathers.  They seem raring to go, but the adult birds look a bit scruffy and completely shattered after all that feeding.  I'm waiting for the moment when the boldest chick begins to stick its head out of the box to have a look at the outside world.

The 'June Gap'

The 'June Gap' is a time when the bees may have difficulty foraging because of a lack of flowering plants. The blossom from the fruit trees and the spring flowers have finished (and so has the bee-banquet of oilseed rape) -  and the mid-summer garden flowers have yet to bloom. Meanwhile, in the hives, the bees have been steadily building up and the colonies are approaching their peak numbers, so a shortage of pollen and nectar coming in will naturally be a problem.  Many beekeepers will give their bees some food during this period (a mixture of sugar and water) to prevent possible starvation. All beekeepers will monitor their colonies closely to see if the 'June Gap' will be a problem for them in their area.

I've always tried to bear the 'June Gap' in mind when planting a wildlife-friendly garden on the smallholding. This year, of course, everything is late or flowering together so it's difficult to work out when any gap in forage will take place.  When I was gardening in Mum and Dad's garden, where I keep one of my beehives, the bees found plenty of forage, because my parents have deliberately planted for them.

My honeybees are loving Mum's Limnanthes Douglasii (Poached Egg Plant).  I've planted this, too, in my garden...





Instead of pulling the broccoli up, Dad has left this to flower and the bumblebees and honeybees are all over it (there's a busy flightpath between these flowers and the beehive).





On the smallholding I've come across (what I believe) is a Red Mason Bee nest (or nests) in one of a pair of old carriage lamps (once owned by my grandfather) and now placed outside our summer house...




Red Mason Bees are solitary bees. I don't know whether there are one or two nests (there seem to be different entrance and exit areas).

Finally, we finished our cold frame several weeks ago after putting in the glass and then two chains to hold it open.  The chains attach to a nail on each side of the frame to hold the roof at a number of angles...




The tomatoes and cucumbers have been planted out in the greenhouse and all the veg seeds have been sown.  After the cold spring, I feel as though I'm actually getting on top of the gardening jobs at last.

52 comments:

  1. Amazing photos of the wildlife and plants. I love hares, and agree they should be protected, my friend lives in an area with quite a few and when we went to visit we saw a lot of them in the fields. Food shortages for bees and other animals is interesting and something I'm looking at for my gardens future development. Its easy to forget as it happens silently.

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    1. Thanks Suzie. I'm quite envious of your friend having so many Hares in her area. We can't have many around here, they're hardly seen. I imagine the June Gap is caused by human activity; pollinators should be foraging on acres of wild flowers at this time of year.

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  2. Everything looks fantastic and thank you so much for posting the wonderful pictures of the hares. I love them and we don't get any here at all. I've planted poached egg plants too but they are still seedlings so should be good for the bees later. I've also just bought a cat mint which is going down a storm with the bees. Isn't it lovely to see the sun at long last?

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    1. Thanks CT. With your poached egg plants and cat mint - and your other bee-friendly flowers - your garden should be full of pollinators. I love this spell of sun, too - I'm trying not to feel guilty that I'm putting off "indoor" jobs.

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  3. Hello Wendy
    Your photos are quite beautiful. The hares are so gorgeous - I was lucky enough to see one a few weeks ago, and like you think they should be protected...sadly I have neighbours that hunt :(
    It's interesting to learn more about the life of bees, I didn't know anything about 'the June gap' and will also try to put more flowering plants to try and cover that part of the year.
    I've only seen a couple of butterflies so far and both were cabbage whites. My buddleia seems to be way behind, and even though last year it was smothered in blooms there were very few butterflies to feast on it - lets hope there are more this year.
    Rose H
    x

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    1. Thanks Rose. I have neighbours who shoot, too, and I'm worried they'll come across the Hares. It's definitely wrong that Brown Hares can be shot all year, even in the breeding season. I'm hoping that after the cold spring the butterflies are emerging later (rather than not at all) and that all the flowers and food will be ready for them when they need it.

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    2. Hi Wendy, I can't find my comment about Corydalis and bees, but I'm in the process of collecting some seeds for you - drop me an email with your address and I'll send some along if you'd like them.
      secondhandrose1atbtinternetdotcom
      (Put the @ and dot in the appropriate place, otherwise I'm bombarded with junk mail!)
      Best wishes
      Rose
      x
      P.S
      Discovered leafcutter bees in the bug box today :o)

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    3. This is so kind, Rose - thank you. And I wish I had leafcutter bees in my bug box - I'm a little bit envious!

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  4. Another thoroughly enjoyable update from your lovely small-holding and it's interesting to read how you cope with the 'June Gap' as regards your bee-keeping.

    Hares are one of my favourite British mammals too (we have a healthy population up here on the Yorkshire Wolds) and I enjoyed your pics of this shy and sadly declining animal. The young Robin was nice to see too :-)

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    1. Thanks David. Since I've been keeping bees, I try to make sure there is some forage on the smallholding for them from late winter to autumn (including the 'June Gap'). You are lucky to have a good population of Hares where you are. I hope to see more here and I'd love to see them boxing in the spring. That would be a real treat.

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  5. Lovely, lovely pictures. I love your cold frame - it's so much nicer than our one whose infill is old polythene with 'The Futon Company' plastered all over it. It does the job but I'd rather have yours!

    Everything is so late here, we are more likely to have a July gap with the bees. Those Hares are so beautiful - so lucky to see them like that. Only a few scrawny rabbits here I'm afraid. I'm hoping to get some good fledgling pictures soon but they're all still on their nests at the moment.

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    1. Thanks Em. I must admit I am quite pleased with our cold frame. While we were making it we couldn't decide on plastic or glass, and I'm glad we chose glass in the end. And we could well have a July gap here, too, everything is so late. I'll have to keep an extra eye on the bees and their food this year because of it.

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  6. Another beautiful post - am so glad I found your blog :) The photos are wonderful - love the ones of the Hare. My attempts at Hare photography result in a miniscule speck in the distance :)

    I've been seeing quite a few yellow archangel flowers recently - such a pretty flower :)

    So much enjoy reading about your bees. Thanks for the tip re: Poached Egg plant we don't have any so will be looking out for some to buy.

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    1. Thanks Caroline. I do also have some Hare photos where they were just too fast for a clear picture! I was lucky they did stop for a while as well. I would recommend Poached Egg Plant for a bee-friendly garden; they seem to tip themselves right into the open flower because they are so keen on it.

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  7. Lovely photos again, and you're a fund of wildlife knowledge. I like the adjustable chain idea for the coldframe and will probably pinch it!

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    1. Thanks Ian. I wish I knew more re: wildlife, but then I do get a lot of pleasure out of discovering something new. And I'd recommend the chain idea; it's simple, cheap and it works!

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  8. Dogs are wonderful for getting us humans out into the countryside for walks, you certainly saw some wonderful wildlife, especially the hares. I think most people would be pleased to see them on their walks, such a shame that there are a few who think otherwise.

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    1. Thanks Pauline. I'm certainly on the look out for Hares now. And I agree about walking dogs, many times I might have been tempted to cut a walk short (or not go at all) but because Harry needs the walk I'll then go on and see some wildlife. I'm lucky he's a very patient dog, too, he just sits quietly while I take the photos.

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  9. Your photos are wonderful! Like you I love hares and feels they should have more protection. I very rarely see them as you have done although we did catch a fleeting glance of one running at the side of the road before it disappeared into a field no so long ago. We are waiting for the young wrens to fledge. Mum and Dad keep flitting in and out of the box carrying grubs they can't get all the way inside now so I'm sure it won't be long:)

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    1. Thanks Rosie. This was the longest time I've been able to watch Hares - before this I've only ever seen them briefly as well (before they've run off). It must be exciting watching developments in your Wren's nest. I really hope the young leave successfully. Hope you get to see it, too!

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  10. I'd not thought about the June gap before, interesting to read about it. There are plenty of bees around the garden at the moment but then, as you say, everything is so late.

    I'm having a problem with bees and butterflies getting trapped in the greenhouse. Bees usually find their own way, eventually, hopefully via the tomatoes, but butterflies just keep hammering at the same bit of glass. They seem so delicate, I'm not sure how best to help them for fear of doing damage.

    Why are hares hunted, for meat?

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    1. The sun has really brought out the bees and butterflies, hasn't it? But it's the same here - they can find their way into an open greenhouse. I'm often rescuing them, too and as you say, it isn't an easy operation handling the delicate butterflies.
      This is an area of large arable fields (like much of Eastern England, of course) and sadly, Hares can be shot for meat and sport all year round. A bit of illegal coursing goes on sometimes, too. I don't understand why this happens. They're such wonderful creatures. Thanks Jessica.

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  11. I've just come across your lovely blog and will be following you from now on. Such wonderful photos.
    Bye for now.
    Julie :o)

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    1. Hello Julie - and thanks for visiting and your kind comments. I'm very pleased you've enjoyed reading my blog.

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  12. Hello, just discovered your blog and have loved reading about your smallholding and all the wildlife. I look forward to more! Debbie. xx

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    1. Hello Debbie - and thanks for stopping by and your kind comments. I'm very glad you've enjoyed reading about everything here.

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  13. I love hares, but so rarely see them. I too have left plants flowering instead of pulling them because everything is so late this year, in my case it is the yellow flowers of the pak choi that are mobbed by bees and hoverflies. My poached egg plants are nowhere near flowering yet, but it looks as if the comfrey is about to open, and the hawthorn is in full bloom. Love your coldframe! I am still behind on the seed sowing, no french beans or even runners started off yet. Maybe I will carve out time for that today...

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    1. That's really interesting about the pak choi; I'll add it to my list of bee-friendly plants for the garden. My comfrey is just about opening and the bumblebees have already found it. I hope you catch up with your seed sowing, at least the weather is now good for gardening at last. Thanks Janet.

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  14. I love your photos of the hares, Wendy. What a shame they are likely to be hunted. Do they do any damage to gardens, like rabbits do?

    Your coldframe looks fantastic! It makes my glass one that's spattered with creosote look very scruffy ;-)

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    1. Thanks Paula. That's an interesting thought about Hares in the garden. I'm not sure they would want to venture into gardens much - but I could be wrong. They definitely aren't as bold as rabbits. Our cold frame is very new, so right now it looks its best!

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  15. Fascinating stuff about the June Gap. How wonderful to get photos of the Hare! Great photos from you as usual, which brings me onto a question I'd like to ask you about the Canon SX50, which I have purchased. Would you mind contacting me on rusticvintagecountry@hotmail.co.uk, or I can ask the question via this comment box. Question re: battery life. Would very much appreciate this. Suzy x

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    1. Thanks Suzy. I'm really keen to see the Hares again, I scan the fields for them now! I'll be happy to email you about the camera; hope I can help.

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  16. Your images are so wonderful it is so nice to see a hare. I hope they survive. We used to have a poached egg plant in our garden for many years I must have plant some more.
    Sarah X

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    1. Thanks Sarah. Well, if I can do anything to protect these local Hares I will. I love the sunny appearence of the poached egg plants, and it's fascinating to watch the bees almost sit right in the flower to get what they're looking for.

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  17. What a fantastic post! I do enjoy these.

    The pics are all gorgeous. I loved the hares. I too would like a law to protect them, across the road from me we used to have the Waterloo cup and it was truly hideous. I used to protest every year and was roughed up many a time so it's wonderful that it has finally been banned.

    I love that little holly blue, we haven't many butterflies at the moment, only cabbage whites like you.

    I've never heard of the June gap before, but now you mention it it does make sense. I'm planting lots of wildflowers this year for the pollinators.

    Like you, I finally feel as though I'm catching up in the garden. Here's to a wonderful summer.xxxx

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    1. Thanks Snowbird. I'm very glad the appalling Waterloo Cup has been banned, too. Well done for protesting against it! Seeing the Holly Blue was a real treat. Fantastic to hear about your wildflowers. I had a lovely wild flower area a couple of years ago but last year it didn't do too much. I'm rethinking my wild flowers this year and hope next year they'll really flourish here.

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  18. Super photos throughout Wendy! Lovely to see the Hare. They are usually beating a hasty retreat when I see them :-) Lovely creatures and an absolute disgrace they are not protected. I wrote to my MP about it some time ago but didn't really get anywhere.

    The young Robins are so sweet, it's lovely to see lots of youngsters in the garden especially in this sunny weather. The poached Egg flowers are very pretty, I think I had some once. Must try it again and not hoe up the seedlings by mistake ;-) Anything which attracts insects is definitely what I have in mind these days.

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    1. Thanks Jan. I can't see Hares gaining the protection they need anytime soon and this is depressing. It doesn't make sense, they really are becoming so rare here.
      The fledglings are starting to appear now, aren't they? I love to see the results of another successful nest. And I think I have some room for more Poached Egg flowers here, so I'm considering planting another drift for next year.

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  19. I am sooooo behind in my blog reading this week, when you do a post it takes time answering and visiting said blogs doesn't it. I never realised blogging was so time consuming. Anyhoo. We used to see hares in the field behind us but not any more - they are lovely creatures and it is a special moment when you actually see one. No butterflies for me at the moment or bees - I plant specially for them as well - they are so ungrateful! lol.

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    1. I like to read each blog post at least twice - that takes a while! It's a shame you no longer see the Hares; I don't think my sightings mean there is any increase here. And bees are very ungrateful when there is the lure of oilseed rape in the fields - beekeepers often complain that they will fly right over carefully planted garden flowers to head straight for this favourite crop! Thanks Elaine.

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    2. NB The bees will do the flying not the beekeepers!!

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  20. Amazing, I saw some of those yellow flowers on a walk the other evening and didn't know what they were, but now I do! And I had no idea of the June gap so that's interesting to learn too, and definitely something to keep in mind when choosing plants for the garden. So pleased to read about your red mason bees, and those hares are magnificent. Helen

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    1. Thanks Helen. There is certainly nothing out in the arable fields for the bees at this time of year so the June Gap would be a problem here without garden flowers. I'm fascinated by the Red Mason Bees; I wish I could see right inside the carriage lamp and study the nest (or nests). And I agree, these Hares are magnificent creatures.

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  21. I've never seen that Yellow Archangel before, it's beautiful, as are those Hares and what fabulous images you have taken.
    I never realised there was a June gap for Bees, in fact I just assumed they'd enjoy every flower in the garden, are there specific flowers that would be beneficial to plant for them? The Rhodi's and Aquilegia and some of the Cranesbill are all flowering just now - are these good plants for them. Our Fruit trees are still flowering here too as we're a little behind the rest of the uk.

    What a lovely blog I've just discovered :) I'm a new follower and look forward to reading more :)

    Linda - The Tenacious Gardener

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    1. Hello Linda - thanks for the visit and for your kind comments about my blog. I always think of Yellow Archangel as replacing the Bluebells in the local woods here, it's the next woodland flower I notice flowering. I'm thinking about putting some early summer bee flowers on my next post, but certainly Alliums and Scabious are amongst them. I don't think Aquilegia is bee flower, but Cranesbill certainly is. It's fascinating hearing about the flowers and timings in different parts of the country, our fruit tree blossom has finished, but our Horse Chestnut Candles are still flowering - in other years they've finished by early May!

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    2. I've double checked and I believe Aquilegia is good for pollinators.

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  22. It's such a shame that we have to have laws to protect our wildlife, isn't it? Whatever happened to live and let live? Such beautiful creatures, I can't understand why anyone would want to hurt them. Fascinating reading about the bees. I was always under the impression that it was important to cater for the early flying bees, but didn't realise that there are lean pickings during the change over from spring to summer too. I love your coldframe, you've done a good job with it. I'm sure it will come in very handy.

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    1. Thanks Jo. I really don't understand why anyone would want to harm Hares either; they are beautiful. You're right that early bee forage is important; there are certain times of the year when colonies can be at risk. Late winter/early spring is one, and this time of year is another. And I am pleased with our cold frame; it's really getting used at the moment.

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  23. What a lovely post and a great treat to see a hare, its been a long long time since I saw a hare. I've got a couple of cotoneaster shrubs one with small white flowers that are just coming into flower now and the bees love it, its a hum of activity. So worth a recommendation. How cheerful that poached egg plant is.

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    1. Thanks Annie. I'm not sure how large the "territory" of a Hare is, but I think these two must have gone now, because I've not seen them again here. It's great to hear that the bees have found your Cotoneasters, they are real favourites with them, aren't they? And I'm grateful for the Poached Egg Plant, it's helping to brighten up the garden in this grey weather.

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  24. Funny, I think it must be because we are higher and more northerly than you are but our gap for bees is in July. I am stunned by your photographs again. Fabulous.

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    1. Thanks Elizabeth. That's interesting about the gap in forage where you are. Although beekeepers know this period as the 'June Gap', I guess it does depend on the area of the country and the weather patterns of any particular year. I suspect this year, with everything flowering late, the gap could happen at any time.

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Thank you for taking the time to leave any comments. I do love to read them.