Red Tailed Bumble Bee

[daver]

We've disturbed a nest while gardening and there's a dozen or so swirling around. Is this a defensive mechanism or could it be they can't find their way home?

I'm hoping they settle down and we can get back to that corner much later in the year.

[paulinemiller10]

I expect they are upset daver, maybe the honey cones and eggs have been scattered and they are trying to get them together, they will settle back in the nest if they can repair it, if it can't be repaired I think they will leave. Pauline.

[daver]

A belated the bees seem to have returned as I've seen odd ones dissappearing into the undergrowth.