I check it every day because there is always something new to see. The arrow on the right points to the main entrance. This has changed size over the summer. I'd posted before how occasionally they wove shade awnings over it several times. They've also arranged fallen leaves.
Lately they've closed the entrance pretty tight allowing only a single bee in and out at a time.One morning I found a huge hole right next to the stump (just above the left arrow). Something had dug in one night. The hole was nearly 8" round with dirt everywhere. Probably a 'coon or fox went after larvae? Whatever, I filled it in and it's stayed closed.
Airways have come and gone. They are usually circular holes no more than a half-inch wide. They don't stay open more than a couple of days.About 10 days ago this passage appeared. It's nearly 3" long and half as wide. It looks like a cartoon mouse hole with it's straight smooth sides and defined arch. I've never seen anything fly in or out, so it must be an air shaft. The shape sure is interesting, to say the least.
This time of year there are fewer blooms to feed them especially now that the agastache has gone to seed. There are still the salvias and the zins and eventually the native asters will bloom, but already I'm seeing fewer bees.
I hope this nest survives the winter. These gals have really been good garden nabes.
I use to get into these in Minnesota where I was dumping tree limbs in a dump area. I received a lot of stings as I didn't know they were there. Check out my Larry's Creative Zone for all the monarch migration that is taking place right now.
ReplyDeleteThat's fascinating, Kris. Will look forward to seeing the progress of this over the winter - tho will you be feet deep in snow?
ReplyDeleteKris, last year the honeybees swarmed the hummingbird feeders for the sugar water. Maybe yours will too.
ReplyDeleteYou may not be feeding the hummers or have already taken down the feeders. We keep them up here until October or when none appear for a week or so.
Larry - so far this year only 2 stings and those were because I manhandled 2 carpenter bees while collecting them. Most bees don't give me a 2nd notice. I'll check in on that monarch migration. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteLinda - yes feet of snow. Last year I didn't see ground back there for months. Still, it was very pretty...
Glenda - no hummer feeders this time of year. Once they go to the flowers I take them down. Last year I put out saucers of sugar water for the bees late Fall, but only the honeybees came to it.