1800 swallow flying resolutely south over Felinfach. Whilst in the Vale of York last week on a mild morning 20-30 all very busy.
Himalayan Balsam - which seems to have a very bad press, please inform people this is an extremely important late nectar yielder for bees right up to the first severe frosts, it also yields large amounts of pollen, essential for bee nutrition generally and vital for the survival of the first young larvae/bees early in the year (Jan onwards). Please disacourage people from destroying it. It is very low on the 'pest' scale and not even remotely comparable to the dreaded Japanese Knotweed. Incidentally if you see any 'ghost' bees, (white all over), they have been at the balsam, triggering a shower of pollen as they enter the flowers, so
REMEMBER THE BEES!
David, Felinfach