Where are all the bees?

[Harping]

Is anyone else noticing a worrying lack of bees? Usually the clover on our grass is full of bees

Thanks for all the replies. A few people saying lots of swarms and a few saying they also haven’t seen any. It couldn’t be they are swarming more in search of better food? Total speculation by me and not a bee expert. But perhaps the two observations could be connected?

The swarming is something to do with a cold spring followed by nice weather.

The complete opposite here in West Yorkshire. Our garden is heaving with them, lots of different species. Our neighbour has had three swarms already this year (they seem to like his house) and a friend of mine currently has them building a hive under her floorboards!

Bumblebee Queens were late emerging from hibernation due to the very cold wet spring, so it takes time for their colonies to build up. We've got a lot of bumblebees now, solitary bees (the mason bees have already laid their eggs in our bed hotels) & honey bees.
I posted about the lack of ladybirds a few days ago; but they've finally arrived.
Got lots of other insects including bee flies, in the garden but very few butterflies. Hoping they'll be along soon.

Lots of bees where I am in the West Midlands (semi-rural). My flowering plants are covered with them once the sun is out.

Our garden is practically vibrating with them (London). I've encouraged about 5 of them back out today. Just waiting for the moment one of the idiot dogs decides to pluck one out of midair, which in my experience, is good for neither the dog nor the bee 😅

Northern Scotland here too, our shrub that gets hundreds of bees visiting seems to be a couple of weeks late blooming this year. I’m hoping for an explosion before the end of June. 🐝

Honey bees don't count tho, they aren't the ones in danger.

We've got lots of BUMBLE Bees but I do agree fewer than normal

Our bee population seems to be down (East Midlands), the 3m wide fuschia is usually covered in them and so is the lawn when we don't mow. I've seen a few more in the last few days though so I'm hoping that they are just late.

Loads in my garden, they're all over my cotoneaster at the moment. I'd like it to rid of it but I keep it for the bees.

Hardly any in my (predominantly oxeye daisies) wild flower patch. Had LOADS last year (when we mainly had poppies). SW England.

The bees on my roses were so loud this morning that I nearly closed the door as they were distracting me from my work so much!

Agree no Ladybirds or butterflies. SE here and have an acre full of wild meadow areas, water, etc. The lack of insects is so worrying

Is that right? I have to admit I was a bit clueless about bees until we recently found out about our lodgers (who have apparently been there for 3-4 years without us even noticing!). I was under the impression that all bees were endangered.

Will keep my eyes peeled for other species and report back.

In my garden! Lots of the little fuzzy bees 🐝

On my cotoneaster in Bolton 🐝 it proper humms, the bees love it 😍

Lots of bumblebees here in my garden in the East Midlands. We have a teeny garden crammed with trees and lots of pots of plants that get watered daily.
Few days ago, an enormous bumblebee slowly drifted into my kitchen like a little lost elderly man. I had to open the door wider and hold it while it heaved itself back outside again. Love the fuzzybums!

We also have stick insects, lady birds and bats!

The bats are my favourite - they dance in the twilight sky catching insects. I love them. We see 2 every single night dancing together.

I'm in south east London and there seem to be significantly fewer bees this year.

Plenty around here, especially in my cut flower patch. Whether more or less than in previous years I can't say.

A PP mentioned water - I have saucers of water around the garden, they really need it in this dry weather.

In our garage. DH has been trying to coax them out!

Plenty in my geraniums and catnip. Both honey and bumble bees.

White tailed bumblebees are nesting in my bird box again.
Several Miner bees have burrows in the sandy soil in the front garden.
They like the chives, raspberries, Welsh poppies and foxgloves.
There's always something bee friendly in flower all year in my garden, because even bees that hibernate will emerge on warmish winter days.
When it's dry I keep a ceramic saucer with water and pebbles for thirsty bees.

They're all over my garden.

I'm east coast Scotland and there are loads in my bee garden. The whole thing buzzes when you walk past it and I've had to rescue 3 of them from my living room so far this year.