Environment

Is it too late to put out a nest box for blue tits? Readers’ nature queries

Éanna Ní Lamhna on the early arrival of the buff-tailed bumblebee, and native furze

Blue tit

Eanna Ní Lamhna's face
Eanna Ní Lamhna
Sat Mar 26 2022 - 06:00

This blue tit is investigating my garden after feeding at the bird table. Is it too late now to put up a nest box? – Mary Doogan
Blue tits are on the look-out for nest sites at the moment. But if you can get your nest box up before the end of March, you should be okay. One with a 25mm hole, on a north- or east-facing wall, at a height above two metres, is ideal.

Furze

I found this furze in flower in the far west of Connemara. Is it not very early indeed for it to be in flower? – Michael Cranston Renvyle
We have two native species of furze (also called whin or gorse). Ulex gallii does indeed flower from July to October, but Ulex europaeus flowers in spring from March until June; this is what you saw.

Speedwell

What is this small blue flower that is coming up in my unmowed lawn along with dandelions and daisies? – Hugo Woods
It is speedwell. Not mowing allows the wildflower seeds in the lawn soil to germinate and flower. These wildflowers, especially the dandelions, provide much-needed pollen and nectar for bees at this time of year.

Holly blue

What is this blue butterfly, which has just appeared in my sheltered Dublin garden? – Michael Morris, Stillorgan
It is a male holly blue, which emerges from its pupa before the female in spring. In well-sheltered gardens it flies around ivy-covered areas waiting for the females to emerge. This first generation lays on holly flowers. The second – July-August – generation lays on ivy.

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Queen buff-tailed bumblebee

I came across this queen buff-tailed bumblebee foraging on a grape hyacinth on St Brigid's Day. Had she emerged from her hibernation earlier than would be expected? – Mia Keogh, Kerry
January was warmer than normal, so she woke early and foraged on grape hyacinth, which is an excellent species for bumblebees.

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