Bumble Bee Story.

[paulinemiller10]

I expect its the very dry weather we have been having Gill, hard dry soil is not good for hedgehogs, they need to dig for grubs, even the slugs and snails have been quiet this year, hedgehogs also need water, and it can be hard to find, little ones won't last long if they can't find water. Pauline.

[paulinemiller10]

I have a nest of carder bees I rescued a few weeks ago from a lawn, their nest had been destroyed when the lawn was cut, their honey cones where scattered, the bumbles where crawling around where the nest had been, and some flying about, I placed the honey cones in a bumble box with what was left of the nest, then scooped the crawling bumbles into the nest, they crawled in when they smelt the cones, a few where flying about.

I have never moved bumbles in the day, I was’nt quite sure how they were going to react, but they were quiet, I dropped them one at a time into the box, then left the box on its side where the nest had been, I would call for them after dark and take them home, I kept them locked up with honey drinks, they seemed quite happy, but on the third day they were looking to get out, they had been in a box I use for queen bumbles in Spring, it would be too hot in summer, so I opened the glass and added a box on top of the nest, but not over the feeding part.

I opened the feeding lid and waited, one at a time they started leaving, I watched them marking the nest so it looked hopeful they would return, I did’nt have to wait long, they soon returned with large shopping bags, they have been in their new home a few weeks now, I still feed them everyday, they used to run back in the nest when I opened the feeding part of the box, but they know me now and don’t even bother getting out of the door stop which serves as a feeding bowl, some of these bees are so tiny, I found one soaking wet after falling in the milk top, she had a wash, dry, warmed and returned a happy bee.

Pic of the door stop feeder to stop baby bumbles falling in.
Pic of the carders new home with glass and as it is now with larger box added on.
Pic of baby bumble, she has grown in this pic, she was half the size, so tiny. Pauline.

[Sharmore]

Pauline, hedgehog rescue and hedgehoggy,

OMG i've been reading all your posts and i'm knackered.

What an amazing job you guys are doing - amazing!!

You really have restored my faith in people. And i now know i'm not the only mad person in this world

Keep up the good work guys it really does make a difference

[HedgehogRescue]

Pauline lays claim to the maddest but the rest of us aren't far behind. Sat up all last night with a tiny one that came in completely dehydrated, covered in ticks, anaemic, pneumonia, and sadly it now appears poisoned. She lost the fight this morning.

[paulinemiller10]

Welcome to the forum Sharmore, you did well to read all The Bumble Story lol, you would be more knackered if I had more time to write, I v missed a lot out this year, just so many things happening everyday, and no time to write about them.

Thanks for the reply, a lot of people read this Story but not many reply, bumblebees are just little creatures that buzz around the garden, but if you really get to know them they are fascinating, but what I like about them most is the way they all agree, so many bumbles visiting the feeder drinking out of the same bowls and all from different nests, there's no pushing,biting,stinging, they all feed peacefully, don't often see that in the wild. Pauline.

[paulinemiller10]

The bumblebee feeder is really busy now, the Terrestris Queen bumble is still spending her days and nights in the feeder, I call her Moppet, her place is on top of the warm box, she does’nt mind other bumbles using her two milk tops with drinks, she has always been quiet, but the last few nights she gets really cross if I put the light on to clean the feeding bowls, she makes a buzzing sound, butts her guard and makes him buzz, then crawls down her box buzzing.

If I open the feeder in the day the wasps are waiting and all fly in, they don’t seem to get out through the shutters that are near the floor, they just don’t learn like the bumbles, but that’s the only way out, they always fly up to the window, so next time I open the window to fill the feeders they all fly out and more fly in lol, so its not easy to get anything done,

I opened the feeder yesterday and Queen Moppet started buzzing, then she started flying, she went straight through the feeder window and out, she buzzed around outside, I went for a cuppa and wondered if she will come back, so thought I might as well do a few jobs in the feeder while she’s not there, I had’nt been there long before she came back, she wanted to go back through the open feeder but landed on top, so I caught her and popped her through the shutter, it will help her remember where to get in, she was very happy to be back on her box with her guard, or maybe boyfriend lol, she settled down and kept quiet while I finished.

I watch my bumbles feeding on my new cam, three sisters always come in together and leave together, and B Hortorum with the spider legs and very long tongue always feeds from the same milk top, they soon empty the bowls, so went to feed them, Queen Muppet started buzzing again, got down off her box and to a feeder on the floor, she did’nt drink, then back to her box, I filled all the feeders, then thought should I fill hers, she’s not going to like me putting my hand on her box lol, but she just kept quiet, her two bowls were empty, as soon as I filled them, she went for a drink, I think she was telling me when she got on the floor that her feeders were empty, she never feeds on the floor,she is a cheeky old thing.

The new queens that are emerging from their nests will help to feed the nest, they visit the feeder, load up and fly off, they are back in no time for more food, I watch one big queen, she flies high over the house, she goes the same way every time, so it makes me wonder about Queen Moppet, why is she not supporting her nest, is she playing hooky, and how long is she going to stay.

I find most of the deco for the bumble house in charity shops, the gold ash tray just above the shutter has some drops of honey spread on top, when I pop the bumbles through the hole, they walk along the tunnel, push their way through the shutter and land on the honey, I have to put it right under their noses or they will just go straight out through the shutter, a lot of new bumbles I push through have their tongues out as they pop their heads through the shutter for the first time, and will stay this way drinking until another bumble pushes them through.
I nearly did nt bother to buy the clock for £1, but so glad I did, when I record the bumbles its so handy to know what time the bumbles are really busy, and how there are still loads coming at 7 pm, and right up to after 9pm. Pauline.

Pics of the feeder showing the gold ash tray with honey they have to walk through training the bumbles and showing one halfway through drinking.
Queen moppet on her box.
The three sisters.
B Hortorum with the long tongue.

[drucil]

I have just joined this site and have read your story, wow you have inspired me will have to get my hubbie working on a feeding station etc, we used to have a pub and in our own garden there were some logs on the ground and I noticed bumbles coming and going they were very fascinating, when are you going to add some more to this you havent added for ages Oh please do some more its like watching a favourite series you can never wait for the next episode to come on.

[paulinemiller10]

Welcome to WAB drucil, I am right up to date, the last post was yesterdays news, I think you have seen the date I joined in 2006, it is a bit confusing. So pleased you are enjoying my mad days, I too find bumblebees fascinating creatures, they all have their funny little ways, I love watching them, I m sure you will find loads to interest you on WAB with everyone writing about wildlife, look forward to reading your posts. Pauline.

[drucil]

Yes you are right,Iwas looking at the right hand side of the screen not the left that said 25/07/10, Doh.

After reading your blog and watching the bumble bees on my lavendar I have decided that I am going to plant loads more lavendar as they are fascinating to watch on it, how they just get on and ignore whatever you are doing (weeding around lavendar) and search out the best nectar, I have never looked at bees quite like this before you have opened my eyes to a whole new world, THANK YOU.

xx

[Cowgirl]

They look good going in & out of foxgloves too