Bee Swarm, UK (1 Viewer)

My wife took a general picture of a swarm (150?) of very active bees flying just above ground level over a neglected flower bed which was mainly exposed soil. Occasionally one would disappear underground into various entrance holes in the vertical edge of the adjacent lawn.

This was yesterday in a friend’s garden in Paganhill, Stroud, VC33.

She would like to record them, so an ID would be appreciated if possible.

Thanks, Tony

They look very much like Ivy Bees Colletes hederae, they are not a swarm as such as each individual female makes her own nest in the bare soil. These in the photo are most likely newly emerged males, which usually come out a day or two before the females and hover around nesting sites waiting for the new females to emerge.

Many thanks Walter

Tony