An Enchanted Place

On day 312 of 365 Days Wild I spotted some small bees while out on my daily walk.

I think they might be Early Mining Bees (Andrena haemorrhoa).

These bees, which are quite widespread and common across Britain, are generally solitary creatures, though small groups of females can occasionally be seen. They can be found nesting in lawns, pathways and other patches of grass, and their nests can be identified by little mounds of earth with a small entry hole. As they emerge from March to June, you can find Early Mining Bees feeding on the nectar of early blooming flowers such as hawthorn, willow catkins, and dandelions. They’re very small, usually between 8-11mm, and females can be identified by a dark red tip on their abdomen.

Have you spotted any bees recently? Let me know in the comments below.