Bees in my birdhouse

[faeriesnelves]

Hi can anybody tell me what type of bees these are? They have taken up residence in a bird house that was occupied by great tits last year.

@faeriesnelves.. Ah thank you for the well wishes and lovely flowers x

I'd rather have bumblebees than birds! They need more help than birds!

@Booseysmum, your welcome x

@Iamnobird I was surprised how many types of bee there are, always had them visit the garden before but never had them to stay, feel quite priviledged really.

Just been outside and there is a lot of toing and froing going on.

Bees have become my new obsession!
We got tree bumble bees in the fascia above my window last summer. I got in a right panic to start with because I'm scared of flying insects but after being assured by people on here that they won't hurt me and won't cause damage to my house I began watching them, they're fascinating.
This year I put up a bee house and surprisingly I had Mason bees quickly move in! They're amazing.
Now started learning about honey bees!
I get so many different types of bees on my californian lilac bushes. It's amazing how many different kinds there are!

One of the tree bumble bees from last year

One of my mason bees this year

Aww I miss our bumblebees we've moved but in our old house we used to have a nest either end of the front roof corners - they were no bother and I'm sure we had less wasps because of them, really hope the new owners are kind to them!

@Starlit, I know feel quite protective of them now. There are two of them who look like they're dancing or fighting can't figure out which, and when they're out and about there's always one on the entrance, think he's the bouncer.

@iknowimcoming I'll be happy if they keep the wasps away. The washing line's not far from the bird house so I pass them all the time, they ignore me.

Getting a bit crowded now

Don’t panic when they ‘swarm’ and there’s loads buzzing in a cloud around the entrance. It’s just overexcited males trying to get to the queens, and they’re completely harmless (no sting).

Hello, I am a bee expert who advises people.
They are Bombus hypnorum, the tree bumble bee.
They will a small colony and will do no damage. The bees outside are the males and cannot sting. They are defending and waiting for a virgin queen to emerge.
They will disappear at the end of August. If you don't them to return then clean out the bird box in the autumn.
You are very lucky to have them. Enjoy

@coppersulphate thank you its gone quite cold here and this morning I have only seen a couple. A little worried that they've gone. I know they're harmless and I'm getting really fond of them, fascinating to watch. Would they have gone? There are usually a couple at the opening of the bird house but cant see them today.

@jointhe microdots its been windy here last couple of days and they're getting blown around. They do swarm and seem to be fighting to get inside the birdhouse

They won't have gone but it is too cold and windy to fly.
They will go at the end of August at the latest when the colony dies out.

Thanks Coppersulphate, reassuring, just seemed to be a lot less of them lately. But it is very wet and windy here.