The buds on most trees remained tightly furled well into March. Even pussy, or goat, willow catkins, normally guaranteed to put on a splendid show in early spring seemed reluctant to brave the cold.

Then, quite suddenly during a week of bright mild days in late March pussy willow began to glow silky silver and frothy gold, weeping willows along stream banks clothed themselves in fresh lime green and daffodils and crocus finally shone in the sunshine.

Usually in winter, bumblebees make an appearance on most days but the only ones I saw on rare occasions were feasting on mahonia, one of the very few shrubs available.

Then at last, bumblebees and honeybees could get on with their very busy lives as pussy willow is one of the most eagerly sought after early nectar sources, available before blackthorn, cherry and assorted blossom. The photograph shows a honeybee hanging from pussy willow with a sizeable pollen sack attached.

In recent winters some bumblebee nests have remained active throughout not only the queens flying. But, the very cold months restricted movement and those venturing out into the open often cannot find a suitable alternative hibernation niche before the frosts clamp down again.

However, many people have commented favourably on the large number of bees flying this spring, which is great news and hopefully this augurs well for a successful season for other insects too such as butterflies, hoverflies and moths.