Bad year for bumblebees?

[GuyNir]

I’d normally see 50-100 on any given time covering my Rhododendrons all different types and sizes, this year I can count them on one hand

Anyone else (not) seeing the same?

 

[Murox]

I was watching the girls gather from cotoneaster a couple of days ago and as usual it was was also smothered in Bumbles, so plenty around over here.

 

[simonforeman]

Great year round south lincs for bumbles, theres loads.

 

[Wingy]

No issues here, loads of them in the garden and on the allotment haven’t got them nesting in my bird box this year though, to the relief of the blue tits.

 

[GuyNir]

Thanks all. That’s good to hear

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Noticed this morning that the pigsty wisteria was absolutely covered in bumbles as well as honeybees.

 

[Camey]

Plenty bumbles in Fife, we usually have 2 or 3 hives and same this year, I know the queen usually only last a year but always wonder if it's the same family strain( supersedure) returning each year

 

[monarda]

Lots of different species in good numbers here on kent/surrey border. Managed to get a 2nd hand copy of the Field Guide to the Bees of Great Britain and Ireland and am enjoying trying to identify some of our visitors.

 

[MikeWade]

More bumbles that in last 10 yrs where I am in wilts. Raspberries are covered in them

 

[Saluki]

Loads more this year. My neighbour said the same. Lots of small bumble bees.

 

[pargyle]

Lots here - both in the garden and on the allotment, don't think I've seen as many in recent years ... quite a variety too. Usually only Bombus Hypnorum in evidence .. Garden Bumbles all over the foxgloves in the apiary, red tailed - I haven't seen these here before and white tailed which I've seen previously but rarely. I suspect the weather and the lock down are having an effect.

 

[beeno]

I’d normally see 50-100 on any given time covering my Rhododendrons all different types and sizes, this year I can count them on one hand ��

Anyone else (not) seeing the same?

Had masses of Buff Tailed bumble bee queens come out in March and they got caught out in a cold spell. Had masses last year none so far this year. Lack of pollinators on my strawberries, but got good crop of large fruits, so must be self-pollinating.

 

[Monbees]

I agree with GuyNir, very few bumblebees compared with last year, which was a bumper year here in SE Wales.

 

[Swarm]

Can't say I've noticed fewer Bumbles, loads of them here.

 

[madasafish]

checked last night : pprox 12 on phacelia (just out) and acquilegia ..

I only see bumbles in large numbers from June on..cotoneaster,ceanothus, wild geranium etc attract them in hundreds usually..

 

[citrus]

got two nests in the ground at the back of our house ... and lots of them down in suburban SE london

my raspberries/blackberries covered

 

[malgreen]

Bumble bees

Been a good year for bumble bees of all varieties in South Devon this year. Though was pretty bad one summer 2/3 years ago.