This bee is well named as it has a strong association with sandy habitats, where the females often nest in dense aggregations. I have observed females flying in short zig-zags over patches of bare sandy before landing and promptly burrowing beneath the surface, only to emerge a minute or so later. Females are quite easy to identify as they are the only spring-flying species with a reddish-brown thoracic pile, dense pale hairs on the head and sides of the thorax and an abdomen with narrow white bands. Males are smaller with greyish hairs. It measures 11-13mm in length and is listed as Near Threatened, largely due to destruction of coastal habitats and development of sandy brownfield sites inland.

Distribution in Ireland: Widespread throughout but distinctly local, with most records coming from sandy areas in the south and east.

Flight period: Late March-July, peaking in late April and May.

Habitat: Sandy areas, including coastal dunes, dry sandy heath and sandy brownfield sites.

Flowers visited: A wide variety of flowers including willow blossom, Hawthorn, dandelions,  brambles, cinquefoils, umbelifers etc.

Personal records: The relatively precise ecological requirements of this species limit its occurrence in Ireland, but at suitable sites it can be rather abundant. Such an example would be Murlough NNR, Co. Down where I have observed it in largenumbers. The sunny, sheltered sand banks peppered among the dune heath are the most reliable microhabitats in which to find this species. I have observed a similar situation in Buckroney Dunes (Co. Wicklow). I have also observed a single female at Killard Point (Co. Down) feeding on Colt’s-foot,males and females at Sheskinmore and Ards Forest (Co. Donegal) and lekking males at a sandy brownfield site near Sprucefield, Co. Down. Nesting occurs in south-facing banks or slopes, always in loose sand and often in aggregations. It is the host species of the Sandpit Blood Bee (Sphecodes pellucidus) and possibly Sphecodes ephippius.