Buff-tailed Bumblebee
Bombus terrestris
Tap image to enlarge · Wikimedia Commons
Overview
The Buff-tailed Bumblebee is Britain's most common bumblebee and easily the most likely bee to be encountered anywhere on the Sefton Coast. The queen is large with a buff-yellow tail; workers have white tails. It's one of the first bumblebees to emerge in spring — queens can appear in February — and is now increasingly active in winter in mild years. The dune grassland with its diverse flower resources supports good populations.
At a Glance
| Order | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Apidae |
| Habitat | Dune grassland · Garden · Scrub edge · Any habitat with flowers |
| Diet | Pollen and nectar from a very wide range of flowers |
| UK population | Very common throughout Britain; the most abundant bumblebee |
| Sefton Coast | Abundant throughout the Sefton Coast in any flower-rich habitat |
| Conservation | UK Green List |
Where to See It
Anywhere on the Sefton Coast with flowers — dune grassland, gardens, scrub. The UK's most common bumblebee.
Identification
Queen: large, yellow and black with buff-orange tail. Workers: yellow bands, white tail (buff only in queens). Males: yellow and black with buff tail. Compare with White-tailed and Red-tailed bumblebees by tail colour.
Viewing & Photography Tips
Present everywhere with flowers. The queen's buff tail (workers white) is the key feature. One of the easiest insects to photograph — foraging workers are approachable.
Conservation Status
UK Green List
This species has a favourable conservation status in the UK and remains an important part of Sefton Coast biodiversity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Buff-tailed Bumblebees now active in winter?
Increasingly, yes. Buff-tailed Bumblebee queens are now found foraging in UK gardens throughout mild winters, particularly in southern England, disrupting the traditional annual cycle. This is linked to climate warming and the availability of winter-flowering plants (Winter Heather, Mahonia, Viburnum). Whether this winter activity benefits or harms the species long-term is still being studied.
Related Species
Plan your visit to the Sefton Coast
Marshside RSPB, Formby pinewoods, Ainsdale NNR — practical guides to getting there, what to bring, and the best spots for each season.