New generation emerges at bee hotel

What's more exciting than watching native bees building nests in your backyard bee hotel?

How about witnessing their offspring emerge, an entire year after the nest was completed!

Yes, I was there to see it - and again I had the camera rolling, so you too can share the fun.

This is the same nest that featured in one of my previous videos. 

Video: Native bee emerging from a bee hotel. Runs 3 mins.

This nest was completed on 15 December 2013 and this bee emerged from it on 18 December 2014. 

Fortunately, I 'just happened' to be nearby as the bee prepared to emerge. I could hear it working inside the hole! It was a bit like hearing a chick 'pipping' or tapping before they hatch from their egg, I guess.

I've edited the footage (thought 3 minutes might be enough for most people). It took about 45 minutes from the time I noticed the first signs of action to the bee leaving the nest.

The emerging bee had to use her mandibles (mouth or jaw if you like) to break up the 'plug' that had protected the nest, before she could leave. 

I think it is a female as there's no sign of the modified forelegs the males of this species have.

Please forgive the shaky camera work ... just bear in mind the macro nature of the shot, and the extreme amateur status of the photographer.