Many of us are spending a great deal of time at home these days. Just last week, I had the pleasure of doing my part to help a native bumble bee back to the great outdoors.
I live in a 115-year-old house in Enumclaw. Despite recently re-siding our house, it appears that a rather large (likely queen) bumble bee emerged while I was working from home. I was able to record a brief video before I captured it, and then again as I released it. A beekeeping friend of mine pointed out that there is an app for identifying, reporting pollinators, so thought I would share that and some additional information with you.
In my initial attempts to identify the bumble, I first went to the following resources:
Bumble Bees of the Western United States – U.S. Forest Service and the Pollinator Partnership with funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
Washington Bumble Bees in Home Yards and Gardens FS263E – WSU Extension
My friend recommended the app from Bumble Bee Watch – https://www.bumblebeewatch.org
Another great resource is iNaturalist, which also has an app.
I am guessing it was Bombus mixtus or Bombus bifarius. Once I install the Bumble Bee Watch app and get some information back, I will let you know what I find out.
You can download 5 Ways to Support Pollinators for some helpful information and also visit our Native Pollinators page.
Or if you think you know what it was, please reach out to me at elizabeth.clark@kingcd.org.
Project Coordinator, Engagement
O: 425-282-1901 – C: 425-773-0320
Liz works as a Project Coordinator on the Engagement Team and is a strong advocate for KCD programs and services. In 2014, she joined KCD as an Educational Outreach Assistant on the Boise Creek Community Project in the Boise Creek Watershed area of southeast King County. She wears many hats at KCD and enjoys helping each team showcase their best and brightest projects and accomplishments. Outside of work, Liz, her husband and son own a 10-acre farm in Enumclaw and have horses, goats, sheep and poultry, and grow hay. Currently, she also spends a great deal of her time volunteering as the market manager for Enumclaw Plateau Farmers’ Market.