Chocolate Mining Bee

FRIDAY

I had a 6 km run over Norland Moor in the sunshine before starting work. Another day of working from home and a productive one at that. Finished a bit later than usual, had dinner and then a late evening 5 km walk.

Today's photo is a Chocolate Mining Bee emerging from the nest via a crack in the mortar at the side of the steps at the back of the house. They are not very common and we are blessed with their presence.

"Chocolate Mining Bees (Andrena scotica) are solitary bees that are quite happy to live alongside humans and they are typically seen going into holes in the ground or low down in walls with crumbly mortar and cavities.  They are seen in relatively large numbers, which may seem surprising for a solitary bee, but they nest in aggregations, often sharing single entrances and making their own small chambers off the main tunnel.They appear in mid-April and are mostly gone by late May.  In that time, they mate, clear and provision their nests with pollen and lay eggs for the next generation.Although female Andrena mining bees do have a sting, they are not aggressive and their stings are weak, so people in their vicinity are not at risk.  Their season is relatively short and we always recommend that you try to enjoy their presence and wait a few weeks for the adults to complete their life cycle."