Speaking of Stinking Hellebores [see last entry] I saw this clump today growing strong beside a footpath in Hertfordshire. A big bumblebee appeared and began foraging around the masses of green flowers. That will be a queen bee coming out of hibernation. There wasn't anything else in flower in the immediate vicinity so H. foetidus is clearly a valuable early source of nectar.

 It was a cool and windy day with several brief hail showers but bumblebees are furry creatures. It is speculated they may have originated in the Himalayas and they don't mind a cold blow if the sun is out.