Miners dig holes at Dove Stone!

While walking along the main path round Dove Stone the other day we came across hundreds of small bees flying in and out of little holes in the bank.

These turned out to be a type of mining bee, Common Colletes, (Latin name Colletes succinctus, which has a nice ring to it!). Thanks to Ken Gartside for the identification having posted it on https://www.facebook.com/groups/1590641777855221/

The following information on these neat, little bees mainly comes from an information sheet provided by a joint initiative between HYMETTUS and BWARS (see www.hymettus.org.uk and www.bwars.com).

The mining bee, Colletes succinctus, is one of the UK's most spectacular and attractive solitary bees. The term 'solitary' can be confusing, since these bees can live in huge colonies (just as the ones at Dove Stone do). The term 'solitary' refers to the fact that, unlike honey bees, they live as individuals rather like colonies of seabirds where many individuals congregate to breed in suitable places.

As their name suggests this type of bee nests underground, digging holes in south facing bare or thinly vegetated banks where they will get the warmth they need to be active and breed. There can be thousands of nests close together in one area. The females line the holes with heather pollen and then lay an egg in the hole. The larva will emerge as an adult a year later.

The Colletes is a little smaller than a honey bee with a rich brown thorax and clean white bands across its abdomen. Another difference is that these bees do not sting people! If you're up at Dove Stone, especially while the sun is shining take time to look out for these amazing bees as they are only really active for a few weeks in July and August.

(As you walk from Chew Brook towards Ashway Gap picnic area they are nesting on the right hand side of the main path, opposite the wildflower meadow, before you get to the conifer plantation on left, a little further along from the memorial bench to Woolly Wolstenholme, with the 'Alphin and Alderman look on' plaque on it).

Also look out for upland bilberry bumblebees (with a distinctive red bottom) and leaf cutter bees (small bees with a bright yellow underside). Both can be seen on thistles around Dove Stone at this time of year.

 Colletes succinctus at Dove Stone