The bees in the perpetual hive in Headington Hill Hall park were flying at 1pm
today -- 13th February.
There were flights every 3-5 seconds and I saw one bee land near me which had
dark red pollen baskets. I couldn't check that she was carrying pollen but it
seems the most likely. There were red Hellebores nearby which I think were
probably the source of the pollen
The flowers in bloom nearby were:
* Hellebore (half a dozen or so within 20m of the hive. Some were red)
* Snowdrop
* Crocus (several hundred in flower within 150m of the hive)
* Mahonia (very few flowers)
* Lawn Daisy (very few flowers)
Pollen is usually a sign that there is brood in the hive. I can't think of any
other reason for collecting.
Will
