A Buzz in the Air: Meet the UK’s Springtime Bees

As spring blooms across the UK, it brings with it a familiar and welcome sound - the gentle buzz of bees hard at work. Did you know there are 24 different types of bumblebee in the UK alone? These fascinating insects play a vital role in pollination and our wider ecosystem.

Life Inside the Hive

Bees are social creatures, with many species living in colonies of around 200 bees. Spring is one of the most important times in their yearly cycle. After a long winter relying on stored food, honeybees begin restocking their supplies. At the same time, the queen bee starts laying eggs, and entirely new colonies begin to form.

Bumblebees and solitary bees also make their grand spring debut, emerging from their winter nests to search for food. If you’ve spent time in a garden lately, you’ve probably seen a few of these busy pollinators in action!

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Bees to Spot in May & June

As flowers start to bloom, several bee species become especially active. In May, keep your eyes peeled for the following buzzing visitors:

Red Mason Bees

Recognisable by their red or reddish-brown colouring, Red Mason Bees are superb pollinators. They nest in small holes and crevices, including bee hotels, and are especially fond of fruit trees.

Tree Bumblebees

These striking bees feature a ginger thorax, black body, and a white tail. They’re relatively new to the UK, first spotted in 2001, but have quickly spread thanks to their adaptability.

Common Carder Bees

Fluffy and round, Common Carder Bees are often ginger-brown in appearance. You’ll likely find them hovering around flowering plants or foraging in gardens and meadows.

Hairy-footed Flower Bees

These bees are early risers, often darting around comfrey, lungwort, and wallflowers. Males are easy to spot thanks to their long hairy legs, which help them grip flowers while feeding.

Mining Bees

A varied group, Mining Bees nest underground and include species like Tawny, Ashy, Early, and Short-fringed Mining Bees. You might notice little volcano-like soil mounds on lawns or flowerbeds—evidence of these industrious diggers.

Why do Bees matter?

Bees are more than just a pleasant part of spring—they’re essential for pollinating crops, flowers, and wild plants. Creating a bee-friendly space in your garden by planting native wildflowers or installing a bee hotel can make a big difference.

So next time you're outside, pause for a moment and take in the buzzing world around you. You might be surprised by just how many different bees you can spot—and how busy they are keeping our eco systems thriving.

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If you’re looking for something fun to do over the half term holidays, why not build your own bee hotel.

Build your own bee hotel

Who doesn’t love listening to the calming hum of bees buzzing as they bob from flower to flower during the warmer months? These insects are vital to the maintenance of our planet. This is because we rely on them to pollinate a huge chunk of the food we eat, including crops, vegetables and fruit.

Building a bee hotel is a great way to help solitary bees. Unlike honeybees and bumblebees, solitary bees live and build their nests alone, usually in tunnels, hollow stems and beetle holes. If you create a ready-made place for them to lay their eggs, it’s highly likely they will come and take up residence there. So, why not lend bees a helping hand and build them a place to stay to encourage them to visit your garden?

How to Make a Bee Hotel with Kids

Materials (Kid-Friendly):

• Empty clean tin can (like a soup can, label removed and edges smoothed)
• Paper straws or hollow bamboo sticks
• String or twine (for hanging)
• Child-safe scissors
• Ruler or measuring tape
• Optional: Paint, markers, stickers to decorate
• Optional Decorating Supplies:
• Acrylic paint (non-toxic)
• Stickers, googly eyes
• craft glue

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Clean & decorate

• Wash and dry the can.
• Let kids paint it or decorate it however they like. Let it dry completely.

Measure and cut

• Measure the depth of the can (usually 4–6 inches).
• Cut paper straws or bamboo to that length. You'll need 20–30 tubes.

Stuff the tin can

• Help your child gently pack the tubes into the can. Make sure they’re snug and not falling out.
• Tubes should be dry, clean, and tightly packed, with the openings all facing out.
• Attach hanging string
• Wrap string around the can and tie a knot or loop so you can hang it horizontally (open side out).
• Make sure it’s secure and balanced.

Hang your bee hotel

• Choose a sunny, dry spot about 3–5 feet high — like a fence, balcony, or tree trunk.
• Face it southeast so it gets morning sun.
• Keep it steady — bees don’t like wobbly homes!

Bee-Friendly Extras:

• Plant flowers nearby (lavender, daisies, sunflowers).
• Leave a muddy spot nearby (mason bees love mud for nesting).
• Put a shallow water dish with pebbles for thirsty bees.

Maintenance:

• Leave it out from spring to fall
• Bring it indoors in winter (dry, unheated shed/garage).
• Clean out and replace tubes every spring.

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Print out our handy bee hunt guide and share your photos with us by tagging on our socials.

Learning Moment:

Use this time to talk with your child about:

Why bees are important.

The difference between honeybees and solitary bees.

How we can help nature in small ways.

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