This sleepy queen bumblebee is a bit confused. A big bumbler at this time of year will be a queen coming out of hibernation. They generally overwinter by burrowing underground in loose, well-drained soil so I don't know why or how this one appeared indoors in an upstairs room. Perhaps they hibernate in more places than we imagine?

 Today was mild and sunny, felt like spring rather than winter. If bumblebees emerge too soon there is a danger there will not be enough plants in flower to feed on. Fortunately Cherries (i.e. Prunus species) flower early in the year.

 A splash of bright blossom in town or country at this point in the season will likely be a Cherry. There are over 400 species in the Prunus genus worldwide not to mention cultivars. A good many have been introduced to our gardens, parks and streets.

 In the countryside many remnant hedgerows contain Prunus in the mix, for example Wild Cherry, Bird Cherry and Blackthorn. Farmers and landowners used readily available native species amenable to being shaped and maintained as dense, tall barriers. During the twentieth century many of the hedges that survived became neglected and grew into disjointed rows of trees.

 I walked down one such track in Hertfordshire this morning. I was alerted to the presence of bumblebees by their very loud buzzing as they made their way round the blossom.