My first Bombus lapidarius of 2010

Geoff F · #1 (**permalink**) 02-03-2010, 06:53 PM

Saw my first B. lapidarius of the year today - so it must now officially be Spring! S. Devon

Most years it is a B. terrestris that is first; and they often appear on and off right through the winter, but I haven't seen one yet this year.

Also saw what looked like an Eristalis tenax but it didn't hang around long enough for a positive ID.

paulinemiller10 · #2 (**permalink**) 03-03-2010, 01:09 AM

Thats wonderful news Geoff, I m watching everyday for them, but hav'nt seen any yet, I was out walking today and brought some willow twigs with catkins home, I ve put them in water with daffodils in the garden for any early bumbles, I have a flowering currant and weeping willow which is nearly in flower, food for any hungry bumbles. Pauline.

JRsbugs · #3 (**permalink**) 03-03-2010, 01:12 AM

Nice to see one so early! The first I got last year was on or in Crocus on 11th March. I was hoping to see one today (now yesterday) as the Crocus were popping open, and we had all day sunshine with 11C. Strangely there was barely an insect in sight!

Janet

Bruce Williams · #4 (**permalink**) 04-03-2010, 10:14 AM

A welcome sight indeed Geoff.

I'm going to have to wait for my early daffs and that's still a few weeks away

.

Bruce

Geoff F · #5 (**permalink**) 04-03-2010, 03:20 PM

Having looked at the forward forecast, for what that is worth, it looks like another 2 weeks of cold fresh east winds although a bit drier.

So it could be some time yet before things get going in earnest.

Geoff F · #6 (**permalink**) 05-03-2010, 06:32 PM

And with an unexpected calm and sunny day today that Bombus lapidarius has been very busy, or it could well be more than one, and I did see the first B. terrestris.

Also able to no confirm a definite sighting of Eristalis tenax. I managed to get close enough to see the wing veins etc but, of course, as soon as I got my camera ready it was off.

Went for a walk along the cliff path and saw a couple of dark butterflies which were too distant and at the wrong light angle for a positive ID but I would guess they were Peacocks.

aeshna5 · #7 (**permalink**) 05-03-2010, 07:07 PM

I've been seeing worker B. terrestris throughout the winter, but today 2 recently emerged queens around the Crocus.

paulinemiller10 · #8 (**permalink**) 10-03-2010, 12:02 AM

I found my first Bumblebee today crawling on my step, she's in a warm box until she recovers and can fly, you can read more about this bumble in Bumble bee story. Pauline.

Hedera · #9 (**permalink**) 10-03-2010, 11:50 AM

Saw my first huge queen B. terrestris yesterday. She was "bumbling" about and hitting things as though drunk! Landed on a crocus eventually and stayed for ages before flying off again. It was a lovely sunny afternoon.

JRsbugs · #10 (**permalink**) 10-03-2010, 11:56 AM

I had a big bumble buzz up behind me on Sunday as I was trying to take a pic of a fly. By the time it registered, and I looked it was going around the corner. I chased after it but couldn't see it, it was big, black looking and slow so I think it was B. terrestris although it could have been B. lapidarius.

The sun came out late here yesterday, it was 7C. I guess the 'good' weather happened overnight as today is 5C with cold north-east winds.