In this unseasonably warm and still February spell, with male Great Spotted Woodpeckers hammering, Nuthatch calling and birds beginning to sing, I watched several Queen bumblebees feeding from our Snowdrops, Crocuses and Winter Aconite this morning. This is not surprising as the Queens, the only Bumblebees to overwinter, emerge at temperatures over 10C to feed up on nectar and pollen. Here is one that is easy to identify- the Tree Bumblebee which is already widespread, even in Scotland, having first arrived in the UK from Europe only in 2001. As well as feeding-up, the Queens will be searching for nest sites– for the Tree Bumblebee this can be nest-
boxes as well as holes in trees. With its ginger thorax, black abdomen and white tail it is a good one to learn as the large Queens appear early. Conditions: Mist burning off to warm sun. Temperature: Max 14 Min 6 C