A first visit to the Spetchells

Last weekend I went to the Spetchells for the first time this year.  As I expected, there were thousands of bees flying - nearly all were buffish mining bees (Andrena nigroaenea) and most were males on the look out for females.  They were flying a few inches above the ground and also around every nearby shrub.  It was hot and they were all very active so taking bee photos was very difficult.  Here is one male who paused for breath briefly.

It is an amazing place and in some parts is almost like a lunar landscape in miniature.  Each tiny chalk volcano is the home of a female mining bee.  Quite how they remember who lives where is a mystery.

Here are two nest holes side by side, one tunnelled into soil and the other into chalk.

I have put together a few video clips so you can see what was going on.

The audio track is interesting as the camera picks up the buzz much more than I can hear when I am there.