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Shrill carder bumblebee (Bombus sylvarum) by Pieter Haringsma

The return of the native

Bumblebee feeding on purple flower

In September 2024, our Bee Connected project was incredibly excited to re-record the UK’s rarest bee – the Shrill carder bumblebee – in south Kent; a rediscovery of this species after a 12-year absence. This rare bumblebee was recorded on a small holding in Newchurch, Romney Marsh, owned by Jacqui Bamford by project volunteer Claire Marshall. Subsequently, workers, males and a queen were recorded.

George and Julie Kirby looking for Shrill carder bumblebees at MOD Hythe ranges

At the end of April 2025, volunteers George and Julie Kirby recorded a queen Shrill carder bumblebee whilst on a BeeWalk at MOD Hythe ranges, just under 10 miles from the discovery in the Newchurch location last year! Julie spotted what she thought was a worn, faded bumblebee, and George caught it for closer inspection and, to their delight, confirmed a Shrill carder bumblebee.

Could this be a separate population? We don’t know for sure, but these recordings demonstrate the importance of citizen scientists conducting BeeWalks and ad hoc recordings, which help us record new locations for both rare and common bumblebee species and add to our knowledge of population changes over time. They also show the importance of giving bespoke habitat advice on seasonal flower abundance, diversity, and length, ensuring the continuation of forage.

The potential that Shrill carder bumblebees have recolonised the South Kent area is an exciting development and follows years of work by Bumblebee Conservation Trust coordinating and bringing together stakeholders for a strategic approach to their conservation. The conservation strategy for the Shrill carder be developed in 2020, ensures all efforts are working towards a common vision:

“It is 2050. The Shrill carder bumblebee is thriving, with sustainable populations that are spreading and connecting across a network of flower-rich landscapes. This recovery is founded on a robust understanding of its needs, and coordinated action at national, local and community level. As a flagship species, the Shrill carder bumblebee is valued as an important part of our natural heritage.”

The strategy manages the conservation efforts for Shrill carder bumblebee (Bombus sylvarum) across their range and includes tasks such as the creation of habitat through the development of landscape scale projects; responding to planning applications that may affect the species; and even aiding student projects to address knowledge gaps. For example, we are currently helping a PhD student from the University of Cambridge to explore the genetics of the species which may, in time, give us some answers as to where these new sightings in South Kent have come from!