First bumblebee

 I saw my first bumblebee today on the winter honeysuckle bush by my
kitchen door.  Instead of the usual huge yellow and black queen with a
white tail (Bombus terrestris) it's a ginger and black kind that I've
never seen before.  Apparently it's Bombus hypnorum, a species recently
arrived from Europe, and it likes to nest in bird nestboxes.  
I've a spare nestbox the birds never use, maybe I'll put it up and see
if any bees move in.  
--
Sue  ]:(:)

 On 12/02/2011 18:28, Darkside wrote:

I saw my first (it was B. terrestris) about three days ago on
Sarcococca.  It was such a cheering sight.  It may not be spring yet,
but it felt like it that afternoon :~).

--
Spider
from high ground in SE London
gardening on clay

 
It's spring.  Today it rained without cease from dawn to dusk.

--
Sue  ]:(:)