normal behaviour ? Honey bees ?

[Lemars]

Morning all - I came across this sight yesterday. The photo (not unusual for me, but I didn't want to get too close to so many) isn't the best, but I wonder if anyone could tell me what bees these are - and is this usual behaviour ?

Many thanks
C

[nightshade]

I'd like to say they were masons(bees) after a night out but looking on the l/h side there is a chap with heavy looking jaws so I will say leaf cutter bees and be proved wrong shortly

[Hedera]

Definitely honey bees. They drink to take water back to the hives.

[Lemars]

Thank you both and I have to say that I'm really pleased they're honey bees, Hedera.

It looked so strange to trip over a countryside bee-pub (had I not been on a bike, that's exactly what I might have done).

And knowing a few masons (not the buzzing variety), I liked your idea too Nightshade.

I'd never seen a collection of bees doing this before - is it a daily occurence ? It's been really dry round here for a while now, so I imagine they're making use of the remains of a last watering-hole. I'll look out for them on my next sortie.

Thanks again

[Hedera]

They take water back to the hives for cooling purposes - evaporation, and also for diluting honey and pollen(bee-bread) for feeding larvae. This goes on throughout the spring and summer. I see you note it has been very dry,so perhaps put a shallow dish of water out for them to use.

[michellemuffin]

thank goodness i now know why we are getting so many honey bees around our garden pond, I actually registered on this forum as its puzzling as to why around 24 kept going to a side area of our hugh koi pond there is water that dribbles in a line from the ornamental fish spout that they line up to now I know drink, only problem being is our hugh koi also line up watching and waiting in a line right by them, does anyone know if the fish would actually eat them?? if so I will try to protect them as i know they are rare now,

[Lemars]

HI Michelle and welcome (hope your name is Michelle, anyway)

Now I've learned something too - they don't only like a stagnant puddle on a track, but also the crystal sort which dribbles into ponds. Interesting.

You're IN with me too - you have a border collie !!!! ?

C

[tigger]

Managed to take a little bit of film of a bee drinking last year at the side of a lake in N. Brittany (I've also watched them in Florida doing the same thing). See Wild Honeybee drinking (Video) | Flickr - Photo Sharing! by the side of the same lake their were numerous paper wasps doing the same thing Paper Wasp drinking (Video) | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Isn't it great to just sit and watch stuff sometimes!

Jane

[michellemuffin]

HI Michelle and welcome (hope your name is Michelle, anyway

yes I am Michelle , I totally agree I adore any wildlife, animals etc and would much rather be in their company then people,
Tigger watching the video you posted is EXACTLY what the Bees do round my pond, I am so glad knowing they are attracted to our Pond, we've also got a wildlife pond full of Newts, loads of bird houses hedgehog house, feeding stations for all kinds of birds and we get our regulars every day which is wonderful, they now tease the dogs by waiting on the fence refusing to fly off so its often a stand off between them, so much fun for me to watch, am so glad to find this website, hope it can answer many of my questions over time, thankyou michelle

[tigger]

I'm sure all the people on WAB will help you with your questions

Welcome to WAB (you'll be an expert before you know it!)

Jane