Backyard and Beyond

Starting out from Brooklyn, an amateur naturalist explores our world.

As John Burroughs said, “The place to observe nature is where you are.”

Air Bee and Bee

IMG_8777A local bee motel. There was a wasp checking in, to. This is a rather elaborate one, offering several possibilities for wood- and cavity- nesters. (But don’t forget the ground-nesters!)

The Xerces Society has some helpful hints on building your own to encourage pollinators.

Update and caveats 11/19: these elaborate, crowded situations don’t replicate natural conditions. They turn out to be ecological traps — primed for pathogens and parasites, especially when they aren’t cleaned and maintained. Good intentions, bad results. So, don’t try this at home. Instead make habitat: give the creatures the space, plants, etc. they need.

One response to “Air Bee and Bee”

  1. Thanks for that link to the xerces society. Awesome!

Leave a comment