Bee enthusiasts and nature lovers in Belgium have reason to celebrate after the recent Hommelweekend, which recorded a significant increase in bumblebee sightings. On 2025-06-02 18:09:00, Natuurpunt reported receiving 8,640 observations spanning 12 bumblebee species, a remarkable rise compared to last year’s first weekend of June.
- Natuurpunt registreert 8.640 hommelwaarnemingen
- Waarnemingen stijgen door zonnig weekendweer
- Aardhommelgroep meest gespot tijdens Hommelweekend
- Steenhommelwaarnemingen stijgen sterk, maar herstel traag
- Weidehommel en akkerhommel vullen top drie
- Natuurpunt analyseert fluctuerende hommelaantallen nauwkeurig
This surge in bumblebee activity is linked to the weather, with 2024 being notably wet, while this past weekend offered much sunnier conditions. The primary keyword, “bumblebee sightings,” captures the essence of this encouraging trend for Belgium’s pollinator populations.
What does this increase mean for local biodiversity, and which species stood out during the event? Let’s take a closer look at the highlights from the Hommelweekend.
Why did some bumblebee species flourish more than others during this weekend? Weather clearly played a role, but species-specific Trends also emerged:
- The aardhommel group was the most frequently observed, followed by the akkerhommel and weidehommel, consistent with their common presence in Belgium.
- The steenhommel showed a striking increase to 818 sightings from only 47 last year, making it a notable winner despite its historically fluctuating numbers.
- Despite this boost, the steenhommel’s population is still recovering slowly, highlighting ongoing conservation challenges.
Will the positive trend continue as summer progresses? Belgian citizens and nature groups are encouraged to keep monitoring and reporting bumblebee sightings to help track these important pollinators and support their recovery across the country.
