SUMMER SWARMS

You won’t find the tree bumblebee in old British field guides: it only arrived in 2001. But it’s already one of the most common bumblebees in England and Wales, and since 2013 has been spreading in Scotland. The combination of pure white tail and black abdomen is unique. This high-nesting species takes over old bird nestboxes, occasionally evicting blue tits. On some June days, dozens of males will swarm outside nest entrances, loitering for unmated queens.

FIND OUT MORE More about bumblebees: www.bumblebeeconservation.org