Where bumblebees go in September
Here in Gloucestershire there are two places where you can reliably find bumblebees, well OK after borage, teasel, Corydalis, laurel and Buddleia...
In gardens around here an annual that returns every year is popular with white-tailed bumblebees: Sedum
It's easy to grow and would fit into a small space like a car port.
Out in the countryside
there seems to be a lot of unclaimed nectar among the white and red clover, trefoil and vetches which are still in flower.
Is it too windy out in the fallow strips beside the ploughed fields?
The place where I can reliably find bees is by the stream where the mint grows.
Do bumblebees fix on just one source of nectar?
Sometimes bees can be seen flying from one flower to another of the same species, usually starting from the bottom and working there way upwards.
Do they overlook other possible sources in a bid to save time?
Just occasionally I see a bee darting from teasel to corydalis to cranesbill to take tiny sips.
Is this a sign of desperation due to falling nectar production in late summer?
There are some tree bumblebees around; I just haven't been able to catch one on camera.
I am trying to find bees other than common carder bees and white-tailed bumblebees.
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