14/09/2026
🐝 So what's going on up on the Callywith Trail? 🐝
If you've noticed lots of bees buzzing low over the ground recently, you've probably spotted Ivy Bees.
These fascinating bees are among our latest-flying pollinators, active from September through to early November, when ivy is in flower. This sandy, sunny, south-facing bank along the Callywith Trail provides the perfect nesting habitat for them ☀️
Right now, male Ivy Bees are emerging in large numbers and can often be seen patrolling low over the ground in search of females. When a female appears, dozens of eager males may gather around her, forming what is known as a "mating ball".
This species was only described as new to science in 1993 and was first recorded in the UK in 2001. However, Ivy Bees are not thought to have a negative impact on our native wildlife, as they emerge late in the year after many other bee species have already completed their life cycle. The males do not have a sting, and while the females do, they are very docile and are unlikely to use it unless provoked.
So, next time you're on the trail, take a moment to watch the action. It might look chaotic, but it's all part of the remarkable life cycle of one of our newest bee species. 🐝💚
