Mediteranian Bee sighting in the uk

[violetcarpenterbee]

Hi All Im new on here but thought I'd share what I think is quite a rare sighting in the uk for this time of year, just wondering if anyone else has seen or if these are quite common in the uk, the bees in question are violet carpenter bees and are currently taking up residents in an old apple tree in my garden they were there last year and have appeared to have survived the winter and were out in force today feb 01 07. I'll get my son to snap a picture tomorrow and post it up if there out.

Thanks Derick.