23 June 2022

A population of the very rarely sighted Ruderal bumblebee (Bombus ruderatus) was discovered in Wales this week by staff from the Bumblebee Conservation Trust.

The Ruderal bumblebee is one of our largest bumblebee species, and is thought to be largely restricted to the south of England, after a considerable decline through the 20th century.

Earlier this week two staff from the Bumblebee Conservation Trust found a number of newly emerged Ruderal bumblebee queens foraging on foxglove near Brechfa in central Carmarthenshire.

Looking at Welsh records it seems like none have been recorded in Carmarthenshire since 1973. The only Welsh sightings in recent decades are two or three scattered records of individual bumblebees in protected coastal locations. The general presumption amongst bumblebee experts was that the Ruderal bumblebee (B. ruderatus) had largely disappeared from Wales.

Lawrence Harris, Wales Project Development Officer for the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, said: “I am absolutely thrilled that we discovered the Ruderal bumblebee, such a rare and threatened species, so close to my home here in Carmarthenshire. It was exhilarating to discover not just one, but nine queen bumblebees in a small area where we assumed the species had disappeared.”

Dr Nikki Gammans, a Project Manager for the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, said: “The ruderal bumblebee is a nationally rare species and is declining across its native European range. It is of high conservation importance and to discover a hidden population in Wales is very exciting. With more surveys we may be able to find other populations and aid this species conservation.

Dr Gammans added: “I’ve been out in Wales helping Lawrence with surveys and events, and we decided to do a survey on his local patch before heading home. We weren’t formally surveying – we’d really just gone for a walk! However, working for the Bumblebee Conservation Trust we naturally took a close look at any bumblebees flying past. After we’d found the first Ruderal bumblebee we then went back and did a more thorough search and turned up eight more specimens!”

Lawrence Harris added: “We’re exploring a new project to help protect bumblebees and other pollinators in Carmarthenshire. It’s great to see such a rare bumblebee in an upland agricultural area. I can’t wait to work with our farmers, smallholders and communities to continue the search for the Ruderal bumblebee and ensure it can thrive across Wales.”

The records have been confirmed by experts from the Bumblebee Conservation Trust and the Natural History Museum.

Read the blog for more detail.

As this important discovery was unexpected our staff did not have equipment with them to collect samples (which are often used confirm bumblebee species ID). We are continuing to survey the area in order to obtain samples for microscopic and DNA analysis.

29 June 2022

Threatened species in Scotland, including the Great Yellow bumblebee, have today received a £4.2m lifeline from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. 

The award has been made to the Species on the Edge partnership project comprising the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, NatureScot, Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, The Bat Conservation Trust, Buglife, Butterfly Conservation, Plantlife Scotland, and RSPB Scotland. 

The funding will support urgent action to help save 37 of Scotland’s most vulnerable coastal and island species, including the Great Yellow bumblebee, Scottish primrose and little tern. 

Working with some of Scotland’s most geographically remote and diverse communities, the partnership will draw on their expert scientific knowledge, local networks, and unparalleled experience to create opportunities for people and communities to get more involved in protecting local wildlife. This will provide a vital lifeline for some of Scotland’s most nationally vulnerable and internationally important coast and island flora and fauna. 

The four-and-a-half year programme will support seven project areas, from the Solway to Shetland and from the East Coast to the Outer Hebrides. 

The State of Nature Scotland Report 2019 showed that, from 1994 to 2016, 49% of Scottish species have decreased. Of the 6,413 species found in Scotland that have been assessed, 11% have been classified as threatened with extinction. Species on the Edge will work as part of action urgently required to halt further losses by 2030 and restore and regenerate nature by 2045. 

Amy Plowman, Head of Conservation and Science at the Bumblebee Conservation Trust said:  We’re delighted to be playing a key role in the new Species on the Edge partnership. The focus of our work at the Bumblebee Conservation Trust will be on the Great Yellow bumblebee and the Northern Colletes mining bee. Working with local communities in the Outer Hebrides we’ll be helping these threatened species survive and hopefully, in future, thrive.” 

Francesca Osowska, NatureScot’s Chief Executive, said: “Scotland’s biodiversity is in decline and, combined with the climate emergency, some of our most vulnerable species are now on the brink of extinction. Their survival isn’t just important for conservation. Biodiversity loss is a global threat to human wellbeing so it’s vital we take action to halt this decline now. 

“Species on the Edge is one of the UK’s most ambitious nature projects and an essential part of our response to the nature and climate crises. We are incredibly grateful to receive this support today from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. 

“This funding will support our work to boost Scotland’s species recovery, combining knowledge, expertise and resources to protect, restore and enhance Scotland’s nature for future generations.” 

 Caroline Clark, Scotland Director, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “Scotland’s coastline is dramatic, rugged, wild and beautiful. At the same time it is home to a fragile ecology, a natural heritage that we have a duty to protect. 

“I am delighted that thanks to National Lottery Players we are able fund Species on the Edge. NatureScot and their partners bring huge amounts of expertise, experience and enthusiasm to this ambitious project to safeguard and encourage some of our most vulnerable coastal inhabitants.” 

In addition to the £4.2m The National Lottery Heritage Fund award announced today, Species on the Edge is receiving £500k from the Scottish Government, £133,136 from The Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, £120,000 from the Dulverton Trust and £30,000 from the Banister Trust.

Find out more about our projects here.

The free ‘What’s that Bumblebee’ app lets people engage with nature in a different and fun way by bringing a three-dimensional bumblebee to virtual life in the user’s own garden or living room, for studying in detail and with the option of capturing images to send to family and friends.

The app also makes it easy for bumblebee-beginners to identify which of the UK’s most common eight species of these important pollinating insects may be buzzing around their garden or local park.

“In these difficult times, lots of people have been appreciating nature and wanting to find out more. What’s That Bumblebee makes it easy for people of all ages to discover and identify different bumblebees visiting their gardens, outdoor spaces, parks or window boxes,” said Andy Benson, the Bumblebee Conservation Trust’s Education Officer.

The app is available for Apple and Android, and works on compatible phones and tablets. It was developed by the Trust, with National Lottery Heritage Fund support.

In total there are 24 bumblebee species in the UK, but the most common ‘Big 8’ that people are most likely to see in their garden or park are the Buff-tailed bumblebee, Common carder bee, Early bumblebee, Garden bumblebee, Heath bumblebee, Red-tailed bumblebee, Tree bumblebee and White-tailed bumblebee.

What’s That Bumblebee offers a brief description of these eight species, and allows users to compare similar species side-by-side.

“We’ve received lots of enquires from people who’ve had more time to notice bumblebees because of the lockdown and want to find out more, and this app is a great way of doing that. Kids and adults will love seeing a virtual bumblebee in their front room or outdoor space, and being able to capture a photo of it to study – while also being able to go out on their own local mini-safaris to discover our ‘Big 8’ bumblebees in real life,” said Gill Perkins, Chief Executive of the Bumblebee Conservation Trust.

People are being encouraged to share images from the app on social media using the hashtag #whatsthatbumblebee.

Anne Jenkins, Director, England, Midlands & East at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “It’s wonderful to support this educational and interactive app thanks to the generosity of National Lottery players, and we’re sure it will inspire people to discover more about our precious bumblebees!”

Furry and brightly coloured, bumblebees are icons of the British summer. These important pollinators of our fruit and veg contribute a huge amount to the British economy. One in three mouthfuls of food are due to the hard work of pollinating insects.

But UK bumblebee populations have crashed, and two species have become extinct in the last 80 years. Loss of flower-rich habitat is the biggest threat to their survival, with 97% of our wildflower meadows lost since the 1940s. Climate change, disease and pesticides may also be major threats. The Trust encourages people to make gardens, parks and green spaces bumblebee-friendly.

To watch a YouTube video explaining how the App works, visit ‘What’s that bumblebee‘.

What’s that Bumblebee can be downloaded for free at the Apple App Store or Google Play.