Bumblebees in my bird box

SONYJIM · #1 (**permalink**) 30-05-2010, 06:23 PM

We have a bird box which has been taken over by bumblebees.
It is quite a large box with a 32mm hole. There is a complete ring of bees surrounding the inside of the hole with their heads poking outwards.
I have tried to identify the bees and the best likeness I could find in my book was Bombus Sylvarum but I am probably wrong.

There is tremendous in and out activity by what appears to be dozens of bees but each seems to be checked at the entrance by the surrounding guards.

I have taken some close-up photos of this but I am unsure how to post them on this site.
Are there any experts out there who could help me identify them
Thank You,
Sonyjim.

eucera · #2 (**permalink**) 30-05-2010, 06:40 PM

Happy to have a go! They are likely to be one of only a handful of species.

Check out the BWARS webpages at BWARS Home Page and look for the information about the "Tree Bee" Bombus hypnorum survey thay have launched

SONYJIM · #3 (**permalink**) 31-05-2010, 07:03 PM

Thanks for your response EUCERA, I believe the bees on the site you directed me to look exactly like the ones in my bird box. I have posted a picture of them in the Images Library so maybe someone can confirm this.

eucera · #4 (**permalink**) 31-05-2010, 08:56 PM

These are definitely Bombus hypnorum.

Could you pm me the details of "Who, Where and When" so I can enter the record in the national database?

Many thanks

Stuart

black knat · #5 (**permalink**) 03-06-2010, 09:13 AM

help. Can anybody, tell me, i have bumbles in my bird box, which overhangs my lawn,at a height of 2 meters or 6ft 6ins. Will it cause any animosity in the nest box, if i mow the lawn with a petrol mower

paulinemiller10 · #6 (**permalink**) 03-06-2010, 09:49 AM

No, it won't bother the bees black knat, I have bees in my bird box, they just carry on their way when I mow the lawn, it does'nt even bother them when I open the front of the box, pic showing the nest, but don't do this at home lol, I am used to bumblebees and have been looking after them for many years. Pauline.

paulinemiller10 · #7 (**permalink**) 03-06-2010, 09:55 AM

Welcome to WAB SONYJIM, hope your bees are doing ok, I'm keeping an eye open for Bombus hypnorum, hav'nt seen any here in my garden in West Wales. Pauline.

SONYJIM · #8 (**permalink**) 03-06-2010, 06:27 PM

Thank You Pauline. The bees are doing very well at present.
Today I noticed that there are small swarms of them flying around the entrance to the box, and the ring of guards are still present.
I am not sure if this is some kind of indication that they are ready to swarm, or because of the wonderful weather today.
This box is in full sunshine from about midday until sunset, so I would imagine that it is quite hot in there at the moment.
We have a four month old retriever puppy who does high speed circuits of our large garden, and we are a bit concerned that he might upset the bees, although the nest box is about six feet above the ground. I have been within about ten feet of the nest and there is no reaction so maybe he is safe.

eucera · #9 (**permalink**) 03-06-2010, 09:39 PM

Sounds like males waiting for the emergence of virgin queens. Could you describe the colour pattern on your bees? I suspect we might get close to an identification that way

black knat · #10 (**permalink**) 04-06-2010, 07:26 AM

Many thanks, about the mowing of the lawn, near bee`s nest in tit box.As i do not know anything about bee`s, could anybody tell me what kind of bee they are. They have a slightly off white band on the bum sorry (rear end)and a sort off white yellowish band on thorax.There is a lot of activity around the nest box, they seem to be flying around and around in small circles.They seem to check each bee on it`s return to box. P S have been told off by wife for making her late, for shopping while i am in the garden watching them, fascinating, hope they come again next year peter