There is a big patch of daffodils on the sloping lawn under the mansion house towards the lake at YSP and bees seem to love feeding amongst them. I saw this one for the first time there - I think it's Bombus hypnorum Tree bumblebee and the description in my field guide is this:
"Distribution and biology: Newly found in the UK in 2000; this species has been expanding its range steadily in mainland Europe and is now doing so in the UK. It seems to have a close affinity with urban and woodland habitats throughout Europe, where it is widely distributed. This species is double-brooded, with nests-searching queens in march and again in June. New females appear from the end of May to September."
Hi Rebecca
ReplyDeleteYou certainly DO have Bombus hypnorum! Many continental sites just turn a blind eye to what is happening in UK.
There is a lot of information at http://www.bwars.com/bombus_hypnorum_map.htm
It would be great to get the details of your record for the national database and monitoring project.
I am very happy to receive details at spmr[at]msn.com
Cheers, Stuart