A visit from the hairy-footed flower bees

When I first moved into this rental property last year, the small paved yard was mostly lifeless. A tangle of neglected climbers were the only greenery to be seen. It was an ecological dead zone. Because I had to leave my last home fairly abruptly, I wasn't able to bring many plants with me, but when I was able to return, I dug up a few Heuchera, Ferns and my treasured Pulmonaria in an attempt to brighten up the concrete grey. 

For months, I didn't see a single bee or flying insect. As shocking as this was, it also made me yearn even more for my garden which I knew at that time of year would be brimming with wildlife. I missed it terribly.

I've been renting for just over a year now, and I'm still heartbroken about my old garden. Not having the space to plant, prune, grow, sow or be amongst nature has taken it's toll. Spring seemed to roll around very quickly this year and as my trusty Pulmonaria started to flower again, I got a nice surprise. I was sitting with a cup of tea on my lunch break and noticed a very loud bee, darting back and forth in the most unusual way. The zig-zagging flight caught my attention, but I soon noticed that the bee was all black, so definitely not a bumble bee, although similar in size to some species. Captivated, I went to grab my camera and later ID'd the bee as a female Hairy-footed Flower bee. She was fascinating to watch, sticking her tongue out and hovering in front of each flower for a little while, before committing to land.

This is what I love about wildlife; at 33 I've never observed this species before, and yet here she was, happily going about her business in the unlikeliest of places - a concrete yard which just so happened to house her favourite food. Over the next few weeks I'd delight in watching these bees each afternoon, sometimes three at a time. And in those moments, I'd feel a little less sad about my old garden.

If ever there was a reminder that even the smallest of spaces can become important havens for wildlife, for me, this was it. If you haven’t already, go out and get yourself some Pulmonaria, they’re excellent plants. Shade tolerant, pretty leaves, come in shades of blue (my favourite) pinks and white, and flower early, when most other plants are still snoozing.