Rivernest from Humble by Mark Ferguson

During a woodland walk in Exmoor National Park, I followed a worker bumblebee along a riverbank for several minutes, curious about her destination. She eventually led me to her nest: a repurposed rodent den, which the previous occupant had dug deeply into an earth mound a few metres from the water.

Overhanging vegetation enabled the suspension of two small microphones just outside the nest entrance, and for an hour or so, I was able to enjoy the detailed comings and goings of bumblebees through my headphones. The recording provides a fascinating overview of size-based variations in bumblebee flight buzzes, with larger, heavier individuals typically producing lower frequencies.

Species: Bombus terrestris or lucorum (indeterminate)

Recorded 25 August 2018 at 13:25. Horner Wood, Exmoor National Park. 16˚C; sunny, very light winds.

Important Note:

This recording was made possible by the presence of surrounding vegetation, which allowed low-profile microphones to be suspended above the nest entrance without disturbance; in any other circumstances, it would not have been attempted. Although bumblebees are typically very docile, approaching a nest too closely may trigger defensive behaviour. Bumblebee nests should always be observed from a respectful distance.

Mark Ferguson is a wildlife sound recordist. His work draws attention to the sonic nuances of animal behaviour and the fascinating audible relationships between humans, wild species and their shared environments. He is currently based in Northern Ireland, where he spends most of his time documenting the habitats and hidden stories of his native Ulster countryside.

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