Have you seen this Bee?

This Bumblebee, Bombus Hypnorum is common across Europe, but new to the UK. Its presence here was first recognised only in 2001, Reading the description in the first report though makes me wonder why it took the bee so long to get here. It looks as though it may be here to stay as:

• It is widespread across the cool forest zones of the north;


• It seems to cope well in urban areas;


• It has probably increased in population in Belgium and Germany during the last century, where other bees have declined.

If you spot an example of this distictive bee in your garden, the Bumblebee Conservation Trust would be interested to hear from you as they are trying to survey its progress.