What to look for in Railway Fields in April: Bee Banks and Jack By The Hedge

Spring is in full swing and there's lots to see!

Blossom on the trees and the first flowers are bringing many bees to Railway Fields. 

As well as bumblebees, look out for solitary bees which sometimes look a bit “waspy” (well they are all related) but often have interesting colouring or markings.

As you walk around. you may notice big piles of sand by the Railway Path in the warmest part of the site. These are the bee banks. A bee bank provides warm, sheltered patches of bare ground where solitary mining bees can nest. Mining bees like it warm, so this spot was chosen as it gets full sunshine and is sheltered from the prevailing wind.

FInd out more about urban bees at the excellent urban bees website

The garlic mustard aka Jack by the Hedge is flowering now.

It is the primary food plant for the caterpillars of the Orange-tip butterfly, which lays eggs on the plant. It also supports Green-veined White, Small White, and Large White butterflies, as well as various moths.

For pollinators, the white flowers, appearing from April, provide a nectar source for insects, such as hover flies and bees. 

Follow Friends of Railway Fields on Instagram for regular photos and updates on what's happening at the Nature Reserve