North Hertfordshire: I always feel a bit of excitement when ivy mining bees show up in my garden, leaving behind their little mounds of dirt that look like mini volcanoes. I don’t mind their presence at all, but I’m also okay when they eventually leave.
On Saturday, October 26, 2024, at 06:00 EDT, I noticed some unexpected visitors in my garden. They seemed to pop up out of nowhere, transforming my once flat green lawn into a landscape dotted with small, grey dirt mounds. However, these invaders are actually quite beneficial to the environment. These intriguing creatures are mining bees. Unlike standard bees that live in hives, mining bees create individual burrows where they live independently.
At first glance, the swarm of buzzing bees might raise some concern, but the good news is they don’t sting like typical bees. This allows me to get really close to them without worry.
Mining bees are incredibly effective pollinators. Instead of converting pollen into honey, they store it as food within their tunnels. I particularly enjoy watching them fly just a few inches above the ground, right around my ankles; it gives me a chance to observe their unique appearance. The species we have here is the ivy mining bee, which makes its appearance at the end of summer when the ivy flowers bloom. Most mining bee species, however, tend to emerge in early summer.
But just as mysteriously as they arrived, these bees eventually take their leave. That time is approaching again, and while I’ll miss them, I’m always okay with their departure because my lawn returns to its usual state, and I get my football pitch back.
Additionally, for those interested in nature writing, be sure to check out today’s Young Country Diary feature by Amaya, titled “My spade and I saved 24 jellyfish.” Young Country Diary is published every fourth Saturday of the month. The submission form is currently closed but will reopen on Friday, November 29, when we’ll be looking for winter-themed pieces.
