Tree Bumble Bees

Snap, we have the same thing in our nesting box. Cant get close enough to id the bees yet. The nest box is well hidden by the pyracantha and 8ft from the floor.

Well, if the birds aren't using it, they are better in there than in your house aren't they?

Paul, the Spiders in the house get the Flies and the Bees.

It would be nice if they rewarded you with a pot of honey Sue :o)

how lovely at least not wasps

Amy, they are bigger than honey bees, but you can see the pollen on the front of the box, couldn't face cleaning that off.
Wasp are OK in their place, that is well away from me.

Sue could they be Tree Bumble Bees ( Bombus Hypnorum ) I can't see them too clearly , they arrived in this country approx 10/12 years ago they are known to build nests in bird boxes .. it will be interesting to see if you think so ...

Amy you are correct Tree Bumble bees and they love a bird box ideal home ....

Thank you Amy and Gg, sorry they are not clearer in the photo, they are so busy, they wouldn't keep still for the photo. Looked up Tree Bumble Bees and when one stopped on a flower had a closer look, yes they do have the same colouration but no black spot on the back that I could see.

Could be another mystery then Sue !

even in that photo they look like tree bumble bees to me

I think Amy and Gg you are correct, I looked at a better information site, which showed identification pictures of bees, no black mark on their backs. So Tree Bumble Bees it is then. Thank you.

I was speaking to the bee keepers at Burton Agnes garden fair this weekend and they say they are Bombus hypnorum. Tree bees, they don't produce honey. The female will hibernate in the late autumn and the workers will die. She will lay eggs to start the new colony. They will sting if you irritate them though. They often take over bird boxes as they like the remains of nests.

Thank you for that information Seaburn girl. Our box is attached to the fence post, 6 ft up, unfortunately just above a narrow flower border. Don't want to get stung by annoying them, doing the weeding. The bird box had been cleaned out after last years bird occupants.
Must find out if the queen hibernates in the original box, so it can be put back to its intended use over the winter months, for next year.
About a month or 6 weeks ago I saw an absolute whopping flying insect (no specs. on) said to my husband ' I have just seen a hornet fly over the fence' , maybe it was a Queen searching for Our nest box!

Hi Siris

This thread is growing well ....

Only if you mess with the box the bee's may sting but if tidying the border you will be fine

The queens wont hibernate in the the box over winter so come October/November you will be able to give it a good clean out , I always give my boxes a good wash and when dry a squirt of dog flea powder.

Which I was told by a RSPB person any birds roosting in them over winter helps keep the box pest free...

Gg, no intention of messing with the box at the moment. Early winter sounds fine for a Spring clean.
Have seen at least 4 different species of bee on flowers in the garden recently, probably more, but my eyesight is not what it was. Might download the bee identification chart.

well you have 24 bumble bees to choose from and remember the boys, female workers and the Queen all look different (same species), and if you are looking in Scotland the same varieties are darker and in the South of the UK are lighter in colour.

good luck .....

Gg

I'm pleased the mystery is solved Sue :o)

There must be a lot of pollination going on in my garden.

The Bees choose wisely Sue they know a good garden when they see one :o)

Apparently, Bees have different flower preferences, depending on their shape - the flowers, and size - the Bees, but you would already know that already.

Its length of tongue also and look at "Snapdragons" only a big bumble can get in

I have seen some bee thieves, breaking into the spur on Aquilegia, obviously too big to go thro' the front door!

Ah....proves my point on the other blog about your garden being a bee haven! I have just had some bread and honey. The honey is from my dear friend and neighbour's bee hive....superb! We think the main ingredient was the Rape flower pollen which grows between our two houses. Perfect!

Not everyone likes honey, I love it. The best honey I have eaten was in Corsica, from the scrubby myrtille bushes etc, very dark colour and quite a strong distinctive taste.

you havnt tried mine !

Is that an offer GG? ? Sue, I must admit, I mostly prefer mild tasting honey. But I do like Manuka...well some of it. So expensive though. Not keen on heather honey, but there is a nice one in Sa...by's that is spanish wildflower and it is lovely. Prefer to buy British produce wherever possible though. Wish we lived in a place where there is a regular farmers market, but no luck here.

Must apologise to my pwn home town. It seems there is one on the third sat. Of every month. Not great though...should be weekly.

Hi Karen

I harvest mine late August very early September , the majority of mine is Himalayan balsam so a very mild light looking honey which everyone seems to like , what the bees make now and over the spring I leave on in case we have bad weather.

OSR aka oil seed rape you cant leave on the hive as its sets rock hard in the frames so as soon as it ripens most take off and bottle it up asap , but I find it too strong a taste .

Yes, this is very hard set, which I like. But not strong tasting...at least not to my palate.

Manuka honey, I believe is used to treat some wounds, not tasted or tried it.