Early Bumblebee

[fairplay]

Saw my first Bumblebee of the year today - never had a good look because it was pointed out to me as it flew off, but it seemed very dark. It was extremely mild today on the Suffolk coast.

Neil.

EDIT: Drat, just noticed Nige saw one on the 21st - fiddlesticks!!

[Adam Cheeseman]

Had one buzz past my head today. Had another at the weekend with Cordaline in Kent. Didn't see what either of them were. Most likely lucorum or terrestris.

Cheers,

Adam

[htcdude]

Yeah sorry did have one back then. I actually had a huuuuge B. terristris back at the beginning of the year, can't remember the date exactly but it was very early on.

Nige

[aeshna5]

I've had them continuously through the winter visiting my Mahonia + Clematis cirrhosa.

[MartinL]

Our honey bees have been bringing back pollen since Friday.

[Wild-Woman]

Originally Posted by aeshna5

I've had them continuously through the winter visiting my Mahonia + Clematis cirrhosa.

Same here. Not a week without one so far this winter but I think they might change their minds about coming out, if next weeks weather forecast is correct.

[monkeyrepublic]

Just wanted to add my first terrestris (or possibly lucorum) sighting of 2012 to the early bee hubbub.

Mind you, my last red tail of 2011 was only just before Xmas.

[martinwf]

While out walking in the local park today with my fiancee we came across a struggling Bumblebee in the grass having my camera with me i took some close up shots, at first sight it looked like the bee was covered with pollen just behind the head, first impression was the bee had stung something and was dying, but once home i downloaded the pics to my l/top and zoomed in on the bee,, this wasn't pollen but a mas of what looked like mites around 2mm long of a pale brownish colour the looked quite grotesque in appearance i felt quite sorry for the Bee as it did seem to trying to dislodge them with it's legs can anyone shed any light on this subject,

[Kayleigh]

Hi and welcome Martin,
Bees carry mites that cadge a lift to plants but sometimes they kill the bee as the become heavy if too many are on the bee.

[Dogghound]

Yes probably parasitellus, they often cause no damage to the bee unless as Kayleigh says they are in large numbers when they can actually block the bees spiracles which it uses to breath, inhibit reproduction and weigh the bee down.