More photos received!

These are a couple of great photos received in late July and early August.  There is a fine photo from Lewis, by Martin Scott, RSPB Conservation Officer for the Western Isles.  Just twelve years ago, a review by bumblebee expert Mike Edwards showed that on the Isle of Lewis, there was a single report from the north tip, the Butt of Lewis (1974).  More recording, particularly by RSPB (joint UK Lead Partners for Great Yellow Bumblebee) has revealed population 'nuclei' between Bragar and the Butt of Lewis, but numbers remain low and fragmented.  This one is at creeping thistle. 

 

The other photo is a rare sight indeed - a mating pair of Great Yellow Bumblebees.  These were found at these ragwort flowers by Stirling University researcher Nicky Redpath.  Amazingly, this is the second pair she found this year!  The only other person we know of who has seen this event is bumblebee champion Bill Neill from South Uist, back in 1999, when males were seen congregating at the entrance to a nest, waiting for new queens to emerge.