We noticed that our shaded Site1a1b had the most activity including seven tubes filled as of 7 April 2019.
We set up an additional shaded habitat with approximately 200 PA cocoons at Site1a2d.
In addition, we added a clay pot with "mud" for the bees:
Note that we also included a temperature and data logger to compare this Site1a2d to Site1a2a which gets morning sun and is located nearby. We will compare the peak daily temperature of these two locations. We have seen virtually no activity at Site1a2a.
Beefore we placed the new Site1a2d, we did an examination of the cocoons remaining from Site1a2b.
We will use the "sink or float" test for viable cocoons later also.
Gene also demonstrated that these bees come in slightly different colors. They are not all "blue" orchard bees.
After we placed the site, we noted quite a bit of bee activity, including mating. Note that this video is rated PG-13 for content and I deleted my daughter's inappropriate comments in the middle of the video. But we retained the original, raw video.
And we're not sure what the bee couple to the left are doing; wrestling?
On the afternoon of April 2, 2019, we noticed that Site1a2d was getting slight sunlight in the late afternoon (about 6:15 pm) so we fashioned a sun shield.
The next morning (April 2) we noted slight morning sunlight so we added another sun shade.
And we changed out the bush shown above with a (soon-to-bee) flowering plant.
But while we were gone, the wind blew off the sun shades and shattered the clay mud pot. Yes, we should have, stapled them down.
We will continue to monitor the progress of this new (mostly) shaded Site1a2d.
Next we will make the return trips to Cornville (Sites2a and 2b) and Payson/Flowing Springs (Sites3a and 3b) to make our first inspection after placing the bees/habitats on 27 and 28 March respectively.
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