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What bee might it be?

B3B3 Posts: 27,505
in Wildlife gardening
Loads of fat black bees with orange back legs. Partial to pulmonaria. 
In London. Keen but lazy.
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  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    Well, B, it might be a Hairy Footed Flower bee. The orange colour can be pollen carried in the pollen baskets on their legs.
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    Could be @wild edges but the ones in my garden seem rounder.
    Are they likely to be wild bees or kept bees?
    Will try for a photo later.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    Can't  get  a good photo. They move too fast!


    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • CrazybeeladyCrazybeelady Posts: 778
    I think they would be wild whatever they are, I'm 95% sure only honeybees are kept.
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    I'm glad they're likely to be wild. There are bee keepers about the area, though. @Crazybeelady
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • CrazybeeladyCrazybeelady Posts: 778
    I'm sure it's a bumblebee in your picture but I couldn't say which one - we have 24 types in the UK and only one species of honeybee. Bumbles nest underground and don't make honey so there wouldn't be any point in a beekeeper having them.
  • RubytooRubytoo Posts: 1,630
    Give this page a try, you might have to go looking at bee butts...
    You can click on the pictures and it will show you a more detailed page of each one with photos.
    https://www.bumblebeeconservation.org/bumblebee-species-guide/

  • ShepsSheps Posts: 2,236
    @Rubytoo bee butts...love that description, which put a big smile on my face 😁
  • RubytooRubytoo Posts: 1,630
    @Sheps :)The best time to try ID them when they are in flowers and usually from behind?
    Can appreciate how hard it is to get a good photo B3.
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    They're everywhere but too busy for me to observe their bums. Maybe I'll come across a skiver😉
    In London. Keen but lazy.
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