Star Witness: Spring is buzzing into life in Shropshire
It really has been a bug's life this April – and this bee is busy collecting nectar in the beautiful Shropshire countryside.
This fantastic picture was captured by Carl Harrison from Leegomery and is part of a new gallery on our Star Witness site.
Mr Harrison, a software developer from Warwick Way, says he has a passion for photography and was recently crowned our Star Witness winner for March for his superb eclipse picture.
The picture above was taken in fields close to his home and captures the exuberance of spring, with the bee covered in nectar as it gorges on a flower.
Spring is a vital time for bees – and their feverish activity is important for farmers and gardeners who rely on insects to pollinate crops and plants.
A new report released today warns about the impact of pesticides on bees and encourages garden centres to stop stocking products that could be harmful.
In its latest product guide, Ethical Consumer said that nine of the UK's leading garden centres including B&Q and Homebase were selling Provado Ultimate Bug Killer which contains a neonicotinoid chemical known as thiacloprid.
Environmental campaigners say that while thiacloprid is less toxic to bees than three other neonicotinoid pesticides which have been banned for use on crops attractive to honey bees, there is growing evidence the chemical harms the pollinating insects.
Jane Turner, co-researcher at Ethical Consumer said: "Gardeners will be shocked to discover they are unwittingly introducing chemicals into their gardens which are being increasingly implicated in the crisis facing our honey bees.
"We call on all garden centres to ensure that they don't sell any products that could harm our bees."
Send your best photos to us at Star Witness and you could win £100 - visit www.shropshirestar.com/starwitness
