Honey, there's something very odd in this tree
Amateur photographer Stephen Leff couldn't believe his eyes when he saw this spectacular giant honeycomb hanging from a tree.
Stephen, from Wallington in Fareham, was taking a weekend stroll with his family at Holly Hill Country they saw the eyecatching shape high in the trees.
Stephen, 47, snapped off a few frames to send to The News.
Mr Legg, a trainer for VT, said: 'We were just out for a walk with some family and friends.
'It was a really cold chilly day, a real winter's day.
'I've seen some interesting fungi growing up trees before and that's what I thought this thing was when it first caught my eye.
'It was huge. It had to have been about two feet from top to bottom and about 20-25ft off the ground.
'This was one of those very old mature trees - I think it was an oak, but you could see this thing quite clearly from the pathway when you're walking through.
'It wasn't until I got home to look at it properly that I realised what it was.
'I always thought bees hibernated in winter so I was rather surprised.
'I've seen a wasps' nest up in a loft before but it certainly didn't look like this, and I've never seen bees like this out in the open before.
Beekeeping experts have confirmed the rarity of Mr Legg's find.
David Nield, vice chairman of the Hampshire Beekeepers Association, said: 'That sounds very uncommon.
'Wild or feral bees are really in decline anyway because of disease and so on.
'Usually they are very temperature conscious - anything below about 15 degrees celsius and they'll be in hibernation.
'Perhaps needs must and they had to come out for some reason, but they don't usually survive very long at all in these types of temperatures, particularly not like those on the days we've been having recently.
Mr Nield, from Portchester, added: 'I am surprised there were bees flying around it as they would normally be tucked up in bed.
'This is definitely a rarity especially for the time of year.'
'I think one of our members will be keen to go down there so we can have a look for ourselves.'
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Weather for Portsmouth
Friday 25 May 2012
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Temperature: 13 C to 25 C
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