Much to my delight, I was once again called out to rescue some bees. It was a very hot Sunday afternoon when I got a message from my friend at Stewarts Bees. They said I should expect a call from someone who really wanted to save some bees in distress. A short time later I got the call from the client (or in this case, savior).
He was on a construction site and had been working in an unfinished garage. He had gotten word that they would be doing a demolition on this particular garage. Luckily he spotted these bees, and he was concerned about the bees being destroyed. He explained he would do anything possible to save these girls. So off I went to see what I could do.
I arrived on site. It was quite a large development so I needed some assistance to find the particular garage these bees called home. As soon as I got out of my truck I could see the bees, they were huge! They sounded like miniature helicopters as they buzzed their nest to cool it off. Three ladies were just outside the entrance, fanning away trying to cool off the nest (maybe I should have suggested to them that they remove their fur coats).
Jokes aside, I knew immediately what they were! Bombus nevadensis! Alberta’s largest species of bumblebee, also one of the most sweet and cuddly. These ladies are so gentle they’re known as the panda’s of the sky. Most of the time they can be found on flowers, gently bumping into anything in their way as they meander around looking for nectar and pollen. Here they had found the perfect conditions, a north facing wall space stuffed with pink insulation.
When it came time to relocate the nest to a box, they were so merciful only one tried to attack me, and I would barely call it an attempt. These bumblebees are known for being benign but I still found this behaviour unusual, as to date this had been the easiest nest boxing ever. They certainly lived up to their easy going reputation, but I think the sweltering heat may also have contributed to their calm nature this day.
Before going on to site, I knew I had to find a home for them. While my townhouse did have some flowers, it was not what I would consider enough for these girls. The City of Calgary, in all of their wisdom, keeps mowing down and spraying chemicals on the flowers that sprout in the park next to me. Our condo board regularly mimics these activities…and this is a common problem in Calgary, we are so quick to destroy whatever doesn’t fit into our human bubble, making it seem like humans want no part of nature’s beauty.
I reached out to a friend that I knew had a bountiful garden of native plants, Blake McNeill of the Alberta Native Plant Rescue initiative (there are a few news articles on his work). Not only did he have the flowers, but also the knowledge to care for these bees as they live out their lives. A very passionate man, dedicated to his work saving native plants, and bees. He immediately volunteered to host this nest, and was exceedingly excited to do so.
The bees went to their new home, and were placed in a spot with morning sun and afternoon shade, the best possible outcome. Now I get regular updates, and it seems these girls are enjoying living their new life, surrounded by flowers and under the care of a dutiful keeper.