What's flowering as forage in your area

[pargyle]

On balance, based on the 'oranginess' of the yellow I'd say it's a buff tail. Very common in early spring.

Could be Terrestris (which is what I saw) but it could also be Pratorum - depends on the colour of its tail - they are very similar. Pratorum is another Bombus that is seen in Spring - its common name is Early Bumble.

 

[Penninetrader]

Possibly you could identify this bee basking in the sun on my hyacinths View attachment 42244

Not sure ... really need to see their tails to identify them ...

It was laid spread out and what appeared to be wrapped in the blossom. It was completely motionless as if asleep. I took half a dozen pics but non show it's tail.Of all the Bumbles in our garden at the moment this was the smallest, most seem to be mainly black in colour but as yet I have yet to see one settle so that I could identify or take a pic.

 

[North End Bees]

Of all the Bumbles in our garden at the moment this was the smallest, most seem to be mainly black in colour but as yet I have yet to see one settle so that I could identify or take a pic.

Not a buff tail then, as they're not small.
What markings did the black bumbles have?

 

[Erichalfbee]

Looking at the size, compared to the flower and the relative sizes of the orange stripes I'd say Pratorum or early bumblebee

 

[Penninetrader]

Not a buff tail then, as they're not small.
What markings did the black bumbles have?

It was not particularly small other than in comparison to some of the dark ones which are giants, none have paused long enough for me to have a close up and my eyes are OK but not quite as sharp as in the past, I tend to rely on the camera which has cracking eyesight.

 

[Penninetrader]

Looking at the size, compared to the flower and the relative sizes of the orange stripes I'd say Pratorum or early bumblebee

I an no expert so I will go with others opinions. When I read that there are 270 plus types of bumble in the UK......well what can you say......oh there goes a bumble and leave it at that

 

[pargyle]

I an no expert so I will go with others opinions. When I read that there are 270 plus types of bumble in the UK......well what can you say......oh there goes a bumble and leave it at that

There are but a lot of them are getting very rare and colonies are often isolated. I recognise the dozen or so common ones but anything unusual I have to look up.