Nest Observation

Nest observations are optional to Nest Quest volunteers, but can help us learn more even more about bumble bee nests.

The first part of the data sheet requests information about what site you are visiting and some basic weather data.

Then, you will record information about bees you are seeing entering or exiting the nest. If you see a bee enter, place a tally in the "Enter" column. If she has pollen, add a tally to the corresponding size column (None = no pollen, XL = lots of pollen). Each row should represent an individual bee.

See below to learn more about where bumble bees carry their pollen and for examples of the different sizes.

Bumble bees carry pollen on their hind legs. This is called a corbicula, or pollen basket. It is a flat portion of their tibia that is surrounded by a fringe of hairs.

Only female bumble bees have these pollen baskets.

Here is a zoomed in photo of the tibia. You can see the shiny pollen basket surrounded by a fringe of hairs.

While pollen is commonly yellow or orange, it can also be red, green, blue, and even purple. Take a look at the examples of pollen load sizes below.

None

This bumble bee has NO pollen in her pollen baskets - you can see her shiny tibia.

XS

This bumble bee has just a small amount of pollen packed into her basket.

S

Here we see just a small glob of pollen filling up this bee's pollen basket.

M

This is an example of a medium amount of pollen filling this bumble bee's pollen basket.

L

This is a large pollen load.

XL

Take a look at all that pollen in this bumble bee's pollen basket!