Orchard Mason Bees

 Mason Bees waiting to hatch.

 

 

Empty holes show that they have emerged.

Bees later return to the box to lay their eggs.

                                         I love Mason Bees.  

After a year of non-activity they are now "hatched" and flying around the orchard.  These friendly bees are only active for a short period. Most of our trees have not bloomed yet, so hopefully the weather will warm up, flowers will blossom and the bees happily pollinate the fruit trees! 
These bees are called Mason bees because they use mud and water to build the door to seal the opening of the nests (long hollow tubes) where they lay their eggs.  Each hole contains one egg.  Once all the holes are empty it is advised that the holes be cleaned out and the box rehung.