An interesting Bee at Hilbre

The pictures are of an interesting Bee photographed at Hilbre in the last few days. We re-print the comments of our member Dr. Gavin Broad.
"Bombus monticola is a characteristic bee of uplands, above 300m, in north and west Britain. This is a distinctive bumblebee with its extensively red abdomen and yellow bands on the thorax. The bee seemed to be thriving on Hilbre in at least 1996-98 but then was not seen again until this year, when it has reappeared in good numbers. Hilbre, being at sea level, is a very unusual site for this species."
photos BSB