Here's the competition that you can still enter:
I intended to invite you to name the species of bumblebee that is obviously finding its meal inside this pretty yellow lantern BUT this is the reply I got from the Bumblebee Conservation Trust that I have supported now for many years:
Dear Barbara,
Thank you for contacting Bumblebee Conservation Trust and sharing your photos. It’s great to hear about your garden providing food for bees throughout the year, and also how you promote bumblebees and their conservation to your guests.
Bumblebee identification can be especially tricky at this time of year, when the bumblebees are starting to look quite old and tatty. As the season progresses, bumblebees can become sun-bleached causing their colours to fade. They also begin to go bald, and their shiny black exoskeleton shows through. To find out more about what happens when bumblebees get old and lots of other interesting things please see our website: https://www.bumblebeeconservation.org/old-bumblebees/
The bees in your photos all look like Common carder bees (Bombus pascuorum). This species is quite variable and comes in lighter and darker forms. You can find out more about common carder bumblebees on our website here: https://www.bumblebeeconservation.org/ginger-yellow-bumblebees/common-carder-bee/
This year, Bumblebee Conservation Trust launched our own campaign called Bee the Change which gives people lots of quick, simple ways to make their local areas more bumblebee-friendly, from planting flowers to spreading the word about bumblebees and why they are important. There are lots of free resources on our Bee the Change hub, including a ‘Big 8: Common UK bumblebees’ spotter sheet to help with basic identification, and several gardening guides.
For example:
You are very welcome to download, print and share any of the free downloads with your guests. You can find lots of resources and information on our Bee the Change page here: https://www.bumblebeeconservation.org/beethechange
I hope that this helps,
Best wishes,
Annie Ives
Information Officer
01786 594 128
Working days: 9am-5pm, Mon - Fri
Bumblebee Conservation Trust
Charity Number 1115634 (England & Wales) SC042830 (Scotland)
2021 is the year to ‘Bee The Change’! Pledge your support and discover lots of FREE resources to help bumblebees in your local area.
So - now all you need to do is name the climbing plant that is on the front wall of the Cottage. And here is another clue to help you:
The competition will be closing at the end of November, please email your answers to [email protected].
Thank you,
Barbara
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