Black Bees

Masses of black bees on masses of pulmonaria.
Are they likely to be wild or from a beekeeper?

 

Plenty here too @BB3 - we usually get them each year and they often nest in the ground - where the grass is sparse and even burrow under my Bean dustbin where the soil tends to be damp and "workable" for them.
No beekeepers in the vicinity so assume they are wild ones.

 

Have you checked their feet? "The female hairy-footed flower bee is black and furry, and resembles a small bumble bee. The males are rusty-brown and have long, orange hairs on their middle legs and feet."

"This species is an important pollinator for early spring flowers, particularly lungworts (Pulmonariaspecies), but also primrose, comfrey and dead-nettles."

Hairy-footed flower bee | The Wildlife Trusts

 

Not seen black bees but getting a lot of those ones that hover.
They are not hover flies, definitely bees.

 

Bee flies? Parasites of solitary bees.

Bee flies: what they are and some common bee fly species - Discover Wildlife

 

I'm convinced they are bees of some kind.

 

They're definitely bees. A bit rounder than the brown jobs. I haven't got up close and personal enough to inspect their feet but I suppose I could. The wings are transparent brown,though.
They don't hover, they do bee-like things. They're bees.

 

They could be Miner bees.