I’ve also been keeping an eye out for all things bee on my walks. The towpath, and the abandoned railway that runs adjacent to it, do a pretty good job of providing a wealth of bee friendly plants.  The bees are not always easy to catch on camera and I’ve missed some golden opportunities.  As well as finding time to read the instructions that came with my camera I think I’m also going to have to find a good book on bee identification.  In the meantime I’ve been using the Natural History Museum’s bee identification site.  This is a really useful identification tool, but like all tools accuracy depends upon who is using it and I’m not that confident that I’ve got it right. 

Anyway, here goes, please feel free to correct me, please do!  I think the one above  is a male red tail bumble bee  (bombus lapidarus) enjoying the knapweed that is just coming into flower now.  The one below on the woundwort I’m really not sure about, but it may be the darker form of bombus hortorum or garden bumblebee.  Again, if you know better please let me know. (And I,ll be really impressed if you know what the insect on the other side is!)

The Man from Salford found this nest of buff-tails under the railway sleepers, it has made a fantastic home for them. When I visited I think most on them were out, I suspect making up for lost time after the recent heavy rain we’ve had.  Nevertheless,  there was a steady stream of bees in and out and it was lovely to watch them.

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 Our Green Shop stocks a fantastic range of products to encourage bees and all manner of other wildlife into the garden.  Why not pay them a visit here?  The bee box pictured here is perfect for creating a bee friendly habitat absolutely anywhere.  It is made from FSC timber and has a viewing window.  The bee box comes complete with nesting material and an excellent beginners guide to bumble bees.