Still here

I was surprised to see this blue banded bee flying around the garden – the rain doesn't seem to have bothered it. It is still quite warm though, so I imagine they will die off once we get cold weather. It was nice to see the sun, after several wet, grey days.

Spent some time (I shan't say how much...) watching a little masked bee (Hylaeus) in one of the holes in my bee hotel. It (or another very similar one) has already sealed the hole below it and a few of the old nail holes on the frame. But it wouldn't come out – just sat inside the hole doing whatever they do in there (preparing the 'nest' I guess).