Huge bees in river wall

chrisaliz · #1 (**permalink**) 25-07-2008, 05:10 PM

Took my children to a local stream for a paddle earlier today and noticed huge bees going into a hole in the side of the river bank above a wall. Can anyone enlighten us as to maybe the type of bee, why are they in the walled bank, would they have a nest. Most definitely did not disturb them but spent ages watching, some were are large as a 10p piece, very beautiful and furry - we are not experienced nature persons but love our wildlife and are curious to find out more.

mrs fish · #2 (**permalink**) 25-07-2008, 05:30 PM

Possibly Masonry Bees

SPAB: Technical Q&A 17 : Masonry Bees

chrisaliz · #3 (**permalink**) 25-07-2008, 05:40 PM

Many thanks for your response. Do masonry bees congregate and go into the same hole. There was only one large hole that we could see and all the bees were going in and coming out of there. It was quite comical at times, some rather crash landed they were that large and as one went in another came out at the same time, side by side.

Harry Eales · #4 (**permalink**) 25-07-2008, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisaliz

Many thanks for your response. Do masonry bees congregate and go into the same hole. There was only one large hole that we could see and all the bees were going in and coming out of there. It was quite comical at times, some rather crash landed they were that large and as one went in another came out at the same time, side by side.

Masonry Bees are solitary bees in that each queen builds it's own nest hole. There may however, be hundreds of similar nest holes within the space of a few yards.

If you saw a number of bees entering the same hole then they will be either Bumblebees or Feral Honeybees, both of which are social bees.

A picture is always helpful if you have a query.

Harry