They are in the process of selecting their nests. Flying back and forth in front of the bee hotel, climbing into one, then zig-zagging again and selecting another.
The first image: the 2 on the right seem to have chosen their nests as they are cleaning them. The other bee is still in the process of choosing.
During the selection process they all fly in together, zig-zagging and checking out potential nests. Then they all fly off together ... and repeat. There is no activity at the bee hotel until mid-afternoon.
This looks like a Woolly Sweat Bee, but Eyre Peninsula is not normally part of the range. This species is utilising both native and non-native flowering plants in the Whyalla metro area.
Bees were gathered around extruded sap from an old pine tree that had been cut down.
small (see Honey Bee in photos 3 & 4 for scale)
Approx 12mm long . Has very white bands on its tail .And looks like white marks on its legs