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.

 

[North End Bees]

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.

Can you take a photo of the black bumbles in your garden?

 

[Penninetrader]

Can you take a photo of the black bumbles in your garden?

I do not know that they are all black, the closest I have been to one is about 15ft and whilst they were on the move, especially in the air. First opportunity I will get the shot. I take pics of anything and everything, sometimes not realising the camera has not focused.As you will be aware you only have one chance with some shots and do not have time to compose. The Bumble I posted posed for the longest time, these dark ones are not so relaxed. I had some red tailed bumbles last year, it is the first time I have ever seen them in these parts, from memory there were about 5 foraging together, they stayed in our garden for just a few days and then they were gone. Other than observing them I am quite clueless in regards knowledge and identification.

 

[Erichalfbee]

I do not know that they are all black, the closest I have been to one is about 15ft and whilst they were on the move, especially in the air. First opportunity I will get the shot. I take pics of anything and everything, sometimes not realising the camera has not focused.As you will be aware you only have one chance with some shots and do not have time to compose. The Bumble I posted posed for the longest time, these dark ones are not so relaxed. I had some red tailed bumbles last year, it is the first time I have ever seen them in these parts, from memory there were about 5 foraging together, they stayed in our garden for just a few days and then they were gone. Other than observing them I am quite clueless in regards knowledge and identification.

If you have fast moving black bumbles in your garden then you have anthophora plumipes....the Hairy Footed Flower Bee. I see them here on the pulmonaria but it's a bit early here

 

[Penninetrader]

If you have fast moving black bumbles in your garden then you have anthophora plumipes....the Hairy Footed Flower Bee. I see them here on the pulmonaria but it's a bit early here

It should be early here but those couple of warm days even saw some butterflies I had not expected to see yet, they are of course tucked back up in their beds in this sharp windy weather, well I hope they are.