Bumble Bees

[James M]

For a few weeks now while the Cotoneaster tree has been in flower in our garden there have been literally hundreds of bumble bees. Today I came across a few I have never seen before, and of course I am no expert on them so can someone identify them? and apologies for the quality of the photos as Im no photographer. The first 2 are the same bee.

[Anti-Mild]

For a few weeks now while the Cotoneaster tree has been in flower in our garden there have been literally hundreds of bumble bees. Today I came across a few I have never seen before, and of course I am no expert on them so can someone identify them? and apologies for the quality of the photos as Im no photographer. The first 2 are the same bee.

HI James,

I think the first one is the garden bumblebee (Bombus hortorum), the next one is the early nesting bumblebee (B.Pratorum), and the last may be the buff tailed bumblebee (B.Terrestris), although I may be wrong.

Edit: After a closer look, I think the first and the last may both be the buff-tailed bumblebee with the first one being female and the last one male.

[James M]

Thanks, at first I thought the first one was one of the cuckoo bees as it was all black except for the whte tail and slight gold collar. I will have too look out for more as there are hundreds again today, thanks again.