Tree Bumblebees

[chrisj1948]

In the past few warm days we have noticed a swarm of bees flying around the entrance to an old birdbox high up on a wall in our garden. They do not seem to bother anybody, but the scaffolders who came this morning to erect a structure against that wall seemed terrified of them, and left without doing anything. We investigated, and they appear to be tree bumblebees. The fearsome swarm is in fact composed of stingless males who are hoping that a virgin queen may emerge. It looks more impressive in reality than what is captured in a picture.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tree_bumblebee

Regards
Chris

[mosy]

There have been signs of bees - which of course is a good sign I reckon, pollenation an' all that Recent news reports of shop fronts and a car covered (elsewhere than Sydenham). A bumble bee appeared to scare some people yesterday morning, not sure why as they don't sting unless provoked so I was happy to see one. Wasps, er, not so happy to see them but haven't yet.

Edit PS: I must confess I wouldn't try to erect scaffolding up a ladder (whatever) with bees buzzing round my head - I'd probably fall and I doubt insurance would cover injury caused by wafting bees away (act of nature, force majeure) so fair do's in my book if the contractors chose to wait awhile..

[Rachael]

I have lots of bumble bees in my garden at the moment. Haven't seen any other types of bees yet.

[robbieduncan]

Too early to be expecting a queen I'd have thought?

[chrisj1948]

Too early to be expecting a queen I'd have thought?

It might be kinder not to mention that to the drones

Regards
Chris

[Conker]

I can assure you from experience that Bombus hypnorum. is quite capable of stinging. However leave it bee [pun intended] and it will ignore you.

I have several acres of bee friendly grounds, all planted especially for bees; I get stung but once a year,always my own fault.

Try never to get between a bee and its flight line, they fly at the same height as the entrance to their hive.
Dark clothing is also antagonistic to bees as they think you are a bear, and about to attack their hive; no one has yet found a way to inform them that bears are extinct in the UK.
Last week I had 3 swarms in four days, standing quietly watching in the middle of 1000's of bees is quite an experience, one of natures marvels.
Hopefully it is set to be a good year for bees.
Incidentally all my honeybees are wild bees and live in sheds or outhouse roofs, trees, or the walls of my house, I do not collect their honey or disturb them in any way, never had a sign of veroa virus.

Several varieties of Bumble bee also. Today I spotted the first Mayfly.