I keep seeing the odd bee disappearing underneath my shed, always in the same spot, always the same size and colour. I'm actually daring to hope there might be a nest there. It would be fantastic if it was. It's right behind a block of peas though so i guess i won't be eating those in case I disturb the bees.
Anyway, I had to share that, I've never had a bee nest before. Plenty wasps ::) but never bees.
I was once sat overlooking a lake in a local park [almost woodland] to look down and see bumbles coming and going through a small hole at ground level ...I must have sat there a good half hour watching them :)
I am lifting the turf from my back garden to put stone down at the moment and today evry time I disturbed some soil 2 or 3 bees would land and start digging.
Do you think they could be trying to dig a nest?
Quote from: cestrian on May 24, 2012, 20:46:31
I am lifting the turf from my back garden to put stone down at the moment and today evry time I disturbed some soil 2 or 3 bees would land and start digging.
Do you think they could be trying to dig a nest?
I've watched bees do this before and I think they might be harvesting the damp soil, or something from it. Or maybe they are solitary bees looking for a place they can dig a tunnel to call home.
Gordonmull.. Great attitude. :) I'm sure the bees wish there were more like you.
I used to have tunneling bees in the second last house I lived in. Well before I was into growing veg. They were very confused the following year when I'd reseeded the bare-ish sandy soil on the "lawn" with some grass seed. I now feel very sorry about that and wish I'd left them a wee patch. Seem to remember those guys were very small compared to most, if that helps, cestrian.
I'm honoured to have them there, Nigel. With the way things are going such delights will be less and less likely to happen. Hope they return for many years!
The strange thing is I never see them at the flowers right on their doorstep. Plenty of strawb flowers, a few dandelions (grudgingly left for them), buttercup and there's always a chilli plant out in this weather for pollination (Literally at their front door). I've seen other species on all these flowers but never "our" bees. I think they're jonellus, by their small size.
Gordon, its great that you have chosen give space to wildlife.
'Most' (According to my own experience), would be running for kettles of boiling water, or ant-powder, or some kind of spray that kills everything it touches, or worse.
And they know, you know. I'm sure they do. ;)
And "Most" would likely be horrified to know just how small, vulnerable and so damned important that nest was if they found out. It's sad times for what is arguably one of the most important creatures in the UK.
Incredibly we too have our very first bees nest too! We have had many wasps nests before like yourself but never bees.
They have made use of an old bird box which could have been tricky at first as it was next to another box with nesting great tits, but the tits have now flown and the bees are flourishing.
My only problem is a half painted fence which will not be completed for some time I think :)
It's a wonderful feeling to have them as lodgers, isn't it? ;D Any idea what kind you've got?
You've got a double bonus though - bees and an excuse to not paint the fence!!!
It sounds like a bumble bee nest . Nice one. It will thrive through Summer and Autumn. They will pollinate wild flowers and fruit. Come first frosts it will die out but the queens will fly and hibernate over winter. Then start the cycle again next year. A definite plus for any garden.