I’ve been patiently waiting for the Red Mason Bees to emerge since I put the houses back out at the beginning of April. Predictably, almost the minute that I did, we had a spell of weather so cold and autumnal that the heating went back on(!), accompanied by monsoon-like rain.
This week though, there were some hopeful signs. The weather gradually warmed and I saw the first Red Mason Bees at NQ Growboxes at the start of the week. Things tend to emerge earlier there than in our garden due to it’s city centre location – it’s usually 3-4 degrees warmer there than here in North Manchester. With the temperature set to sky-rocket and it being the same few days that the Mason bees emerged last year, I knew I’d be keeping a close eye on the beehouses this weekend.
I’ve never seen Red Mason Bees emerge from their nest cells before. For the past few years they have hatched out on a weekday, when I was safely at work. I was quietly hoping that this would be the year I’d get to see this for myself, and hopefully get some pictures!
When I arrived home from work last night, a couple of males had hatched out and were patrolling the area round the nest box! There were still another 20 sealed cells though, so as soon as it got warm this morning I headed outside with my camera.
The males had resumed their patrolling duties, until I noticed one of them had stopped and alighted on a bee house where he seemed to be trying to burrow into one of the sealed cells.
A moment later, a Mason Bee broke through the capping and out of the cell, he was so fast that I wasn’t quite quick enough with my camera and only managed to catch a couple of shots as he hauled himself out-
Where he was immediately pounced on by the male waiting outside. A short scuffle later, and the disappointed ‘midwife’ male retreated once he realised that the freshly hatched bee was not a female.
By this time a scratching noise could be heard coming from several cells as bees chewed through the mud cappings sealing them, so I settled back down to wait. Not long later I saw a small hole opening up in one, and I managed to finally capture a Red Mason Bee taking his first look at the world!
Once emerged, he stayed on the beehouse just long enough for me to get a photo – I can’t believe how fresh and bright he looks here.
5 more cells have hatched today, so the area round the beehouses is currently swarming with males waiting for the females to emerge. Such a difference from a week ago, when it was still rainy and cold! I’m looking forward to watching the bees over the coming weeks, and fingers crossed they choose to use the several brand new empty beehouses I’ve put out!
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