Where are all the bees and butterflies?

[Darker]

I am seeing many fewer than I’d expect, given the hot weather and lots of flowers.

Has anyone else noticed?

I haven't seen many either, but I live in London and don't have a garden so that's maybe not surprising.

I did have about six different types of bug on my ceiling last night including a spider, a moth and a crane fly. This morning they were all gone! No sign of any of them. Slightly worried they all flew/fell/climbed into my mouth overnight.

In my garden. I’ve seen dozens

We had this situation OP and on our local Facebook group we started Hedgehog Street. I didn't think people would be interested as it's a new estate with lots of small 'low maintenance' gardens like you describe.

People were really enthusiastic though. It's really changed the look of the area after only a few years. Lots more flowers all year round, trees planted, a seed swap day and a noticeable increase in bees and other pollinators. Baby hedgehogs pottering around the gardens last year and this year we've seen bats coming to get moths in the evening. https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/

They've taken up residency in my honeysuckle bush. There have been a lot more than previous years.

If there's too many houses like that in a row then there's probably not a good enough "corridor" for them to make it across to yours.

My whole neighbourhood is full of wildlife friendly gardens so we have a lot bees and some foxes. Butterflies sadly are a rare sight though and I've not seen a hedgehog in the 3 years I've lived here despite our best efforts

Plenty of bees and butterflies here (the butterflies don’t usually stop long enough for a photo).
I just took those a couple of minutes ago but saw at least 3 species of bee and 4 butterfly species in the garden.
They’ve been buzzing around all day, mostly on my accidental alliums (last year’s leeks I forgot to pull up).
I’ve made sure to leave plenty of pebbly water out so they can get a drink in this hot weather, and top it up every morning.

Lots here too in my garden but they are out earlier in the morning and later in the evening rather than all day. Once temperatures drop they'll be back to their all day visiting.

I’m glad the insects are thriving elsewhere. It does worry me.

I have a lot of bumblebees on the clover and weeds in my lawn but not much else. I was just looking at my buddleia plants which usually would be covered in bees and butterflies and almost nothing there.

Absolutely loads in my garden. I’ve rescued 4 butterflies from my kitchen today. My garden is an abundance of colour and so many flowers so maybe that’s why I’m seeing so many.

Saw over 600 butterflies on our transect last week (3 mile route along cliff path and through meadows - same route once a week). Some of the butterflies are a week or two earlier than usual. Here's a clouded yellow DH photographed on the transect - don't usually see them on our patch.

Yes we have lots of salvias and lavender so the bees are definitely here.

Seen a couple of butterflies and some quite rare moths too.

We are right next door to the countryside though.

Same here OP. Lots of bumblebees but very few honeybees despite plants that would usually be covered… ceanothus, lavender etc. had a few butterflies. Seen buddleia bushes with no bees, worries me too. We’re in the countryside :(

Loads in our garden. And masses of damsel flies.

Lots of bees in my garden ( London suburb) and more butterflies than I've seen in years. Garden pond is attracting dragon flies. We have robins, blue tits, blackbirds and house martins. Also have a family of squirrels who dig up my bulbs 😡

I have plenty of squirrels, magpies and parakeets. And damselflies around my wildlife pond.

I had plenty of bees in my garden when the right flowers were open. The next ones that the bees like have just started opening, so I expect them will return next week.

I have t cut my grass for weeks. My garden is full of insects. There are a lot of butterflies and bees. I was late to my nail appointment today because of trying to get a bee out of my back door before I closed it.

Lots of bees in our garden as we haven’t cut the grass and there’s loads of flowers growing. Don’t want to cut it now because of the bees!

We have lots! They love our wildflowers particularly borage and poppies. We also have a whole lot of garden tiger moth caterpillars, I've been feeding them a bit of spinach, rocket flowers and courgettes flowers from my veg patch whenever I see one!

I’m in the suburbs of a NW town and mentioned to DH today how I’ve seen so many butterflies this year! Absolutely loads. Also as previously mentioned lots of bumble bees but not many worker bees.

South London here - a fair few bees but zero butterflies really

We are in SW London and our local historic churchyard has let the grass grow long this year. I have never seen so many butterflies in my life. The place is absolutely teaming and it is a joy to walk through.

Long time passing.
Oh, when will they ever learn?
Oh, when will they ever learn?

Saw lots of butterflies at 6am, walking my dog at a large nature reserve.
Maybe they like the cooler mornings when the sap is freshly risen? 🤓