Bees at New Ferry Butterfly Park

Here is Roy Lowry's latest report on his findings at the Butterfly Park, along with a selection of his photos.

I am trying to do an invertebrate photo survey - effectively a survey of flying insects - of New Ferry Butterfly Park at least once every two weeks during 2023. My most recent visit on 15th April gave me the opportunity to photograph the following bees.

Apis mellifera (w) Western honeybee worker

Andrena labiata (m) Red-girdled mining bee (only 3rd record in Cheshire) male

Andrena labiata (m) Red-girdled mining bee 

Anthrophora plumipes (f) Hairy-footed flower bee female

Anthrophora plumipes (f) Hairy-footed flower bee female

Anthrophora plumipes (m) Hairy-footed flower bee male

Andrena fulva (f) Tawny mining bee female

Andrena fulva (f) Tawny mining bee female

Bombus vestalis (f) Vestal cuckoo bumblebee female

Bombus vestalis (f) Vestal cuckoo bumblebee female

Osmia bicornis (m) Red mason bee male

Bombus pratorum (w) Early bumblebee queen

Melecta albifrons (m) Common mourning bee male

Melecta albifrons (m) Common mourning bee male

Bombus pascuorum (q) Common carder bumblebee queen

Andrena nitida (f) Grey-patched mining bee

Andrena nitida (f) Grey-patched mining bee

In addition, there were several Bombus terrestris queens burrowing around in the undergrowth without giving me a clear shot. I was pleasantly surprised at such apine diversity in an urban environment, and it brought home the value of the reserve to me.