bumble bees

[Scunner]

What are the small bumble bees that are feasting on the cotoneaster?

[Liz]

This might help http://bumblebeeconservation.org/about-bees/identification/common-bumblebees
Our cotoneaster isn't in flower yet :( In fact the whole garden is way behind due to the cold weather.

[Stargazer]

Hopefully this link to the Caithness Biodiversity Group website will open a link to a PDF of Caithness bumblebees prepared by the Bumblebee Conservation Trust.If the bumblebees you are seeing are about the size of a pea or baked bean it's likely they are workers. Workers are similar marking to their much larger mother the Queen bumblebee and there must be a successful nest nearby.http://www.caithnessbiodiversity.org.uk/projects/bumblebee-project/bumblebees-of-caithness-sutherland/