Old Drone

One of Martin's photos of a wild bee house of bricks, clay, reeds, and wood.

Hans-Jürgen Martin has obviously done a lot of homework to put together this site, which is one of the most comprehensive and informative sites I’ve seen about wild bees.

(First let me note that the site is in German and can be accessed directly or through a translation service such as Google’s translation. The translation, done by computer is awkward, but a real lifesaver for those who do not speak German. For those of you who do speak German, Google offers an option of contributing a better translation.)

Martin is an expert at making scientific information easily understood by the public, and he illustrates his site with some remarkable photos. One of the best features is that he provides detailed information, with photos, of how to provide homes for the various species of wild bees.

I have provided some homes for wild bees on a much smaller scale with drilled wooden blocks. But the ones shown on Martin’s site are an order of magnitute better, and they are artistic additions to the landscaping as well. (These are listed under the title WB-protection.)
There are clear illustrations of how to make nest sites from reeds or other hollow stems, mud or clay, decorative bricks or tiles, drilled wood, etc.

Also there are suggestions for bee gardens.

Most wild bees are solitary; each queen creates her own nest, then leaves her young to develop on their own. Some solitary bees are gregarious; nesting in large groups where possible. Going through a comprehensive site like Wildbienen gives a real appreciatian for the number and variety of bee species present in Europe. There is a lot of information on their biology, including reproduction and nesting habits, floral preferences, etc.

The site deals with the public’s unwarranted fear of stings and offers reassurance on the FAQ and reader mail pages.

The site also notes the decline of many species of bees and the reasons for this. Of note is the “Red List” of species that are in various stages of extinction.

The site does deal separately with one groups of social bees, the bumblebees, which are protected by law in Europe. This section, all on its own, makes a comprehensive theme website. Of particular interest to me is the cultural information, including how to make nesting boxes, add nesting material, resettle wild colonies, etc.

There is a photo database of plants and the bees that visit them, that I particularly enjoyed.

North American readers should note that the site deals specifically with Germany and northern Europe. There are overlaps with conditions in America, but also many differences. If there are errors, I was generally unable to spot them; many of the bees are unfamiliar to me, and I would appreciate any comment from bee experts in the blog response section.

Only one thing that puzzled me, was the reference in a couple places to the Genus and species Apis mellifera, as the “big wooden bee” (carpenter bee). I can’t believe the nomenclature is different in Germany, and I know Apis mellifera as the common honey bee.

I have spent several pleasant hours perusing the site, and I am certainly not finished with it, as I cannot absorb it all at once. I have saved it as a reference for future referral.

I am in process of constructing our most elaborate solitary bee home yet, and I’m glad to share this site, as it has given me several possible modifications to my original plans.

Sometime soon, I will be presenting my own “Bee Haven” with photos and notes on its occupancy. Many of the wild solitary bees I used to see on flowers have become so rare now that, while I am hopeful that this will aid them in restoring their former level, I am fearful that it may be too late for some species.