Bee Fly [Bombylius major]

The Bee Fly is common throughout most of Britain and spends most of its life hovering and feeding on nectar. The females flick their eggs down the entrance holes of Solitary Bees and Wasp nests. When the tiny larva emerge from the egg they find their way to the Bee/Wasp larva and feed on them.

A very freshly emerged Bee Fly warming itself up in the sun

Bee Fly feeding on Cuckoo Flower [also known as  Lady's-smock]

Orange-tip [male]

Male Orange-tips on [Cardamine pratensis] Cuckoo Flower and also known as lady's-smock, one of the larval food plants.

All photographs are the copyright of Nick Broomer

Vespula vulgaris, Common Wasp

The already mated Queen hibernates through the winter months, emerging again in early Spring. She will then look for a suitable nest site, once this has been achieved, the Queen will then build a nest and play the first eggs. Female workers will emerge from these eggs, who will take over from the Queen, building the nest bigger and finding food for the next generation, [their siblings] while the Queen continues to lay eegs.

A already mated Queen thats close to hibernating
Photo, 22.10.2016

A freshly emerged Queen in early Spring

A photo of the Queens face, Vespula vulgaris

All Photos are the copyright of Nick Broomer

Orange-tip

The Orange-tip is one of Britain's first butterflies to emerge in early Spring, [not counting Britain's hibernators] and a much awaited arrival by nature lovers.

Female Orange-tip on Cuckoo Flower, one of the larval food plants

Male Orange-tip on a Pussy Willow flower

All photographs are the copyright of Nick Broomer

Peacock

After a long sleep through Britain's winter this hibernating Butterfly has finally emerged from it's slumber to enjoy the sunshine and, nectar from the early Spring flowers.

The beautiful Peacock can commonly be found soaking up the sun 0n the ground
in early Spring

Or very low down on vegetation

A peacock feeding on Pussy Willow flowers in early Sping

Small Tortoiseshell

Another one of Britain's hibernators enjoying the Spring sunshine after a long sleep.

Small Tortoiseshell on Cuckoo Flower

Small Tortoiseshell on Pussy Willow flowers, a favourite with a lot of insects in early Spring.

All photographs are the copyright of Nick Broomer

Comma

One of Britain's hibernating butterflies having recently emerged from it's winter sleep.

All Photographs are the copyright of Nick Broomer