A rare species of bumblebee, not seen in South Kent for over a decade has been rediscovered on a small holding following dedicated conservation efforts.
The bumblebee – a Shrill carder – is the UK’s rarest species. The Shrill carder is a priority species for conservation efforts in England and Wales following significant declines since the 1950s.
The bumblebee, which was last recorded in this region in 2012, was discovered by Bumblebee Conservation Trust volunteer Claire Marshall, foraging on wildflower habitat that has carefully been restored over the past three years.
Jacqui Bamford Small holding © Dr Nikki Gammans
The restoration, which includes a wildflower meadow, beautiful gardens, native trees and two new ponds, was driven thanks to advice from staff working on the Bumblebee Conservation Trust’s Bee Connected project. These efforts have contributed to a haven for pollinators and other wildlife in the area, showing promising results in reversing the decline of this rare bumblebee.
Dr Nikki Gammans, Southeast England Conservation Project Manager for the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, said “This is a conservation success story in a terrible year for the UK’s bumblebees. It shows restoring and improving flower rich habitat for bumblebees really does work. Not only have we rerecorded the Shrill carder bumblebee after a twelve-year absence but two other rare bumblebee species the Brown-banded and the Ruderal have been recorded in new areas where we’ve helped restore flower rich habitat across Kent and East Sussex.”
This year has been a tough one for the UK’s bumblebees, with low numbers being recorded for many species. In particular, records of one of our most common species, the Red-tailed bumblebee, is 72% down for the year. The cause for these low numbers is likely to be the cold and wet weather this spring, on top of the long-term impacts of climate change, ongoing habitat loss, and increasing urbanisation.
Bumblebee Conservation Trust volunteer Clare Marshall said “I was doing a survey for the Bumblebee Conservation Trust and walking round the newly created ponds and looking at the wildflowers. I was recording common bumblebee species when I suddenly noticed an unusual colour pattern and to my excitement, I had found a Shrill carder bumblebee”.
The Bumblebee Conservation Trust’s Bee Connected project, based in Southeast Kent has been working with local Newchurch small holder Jacqui Bamford for over three years, restoring the wildflower meadow and creating two ponds (with Romney Marsh Countryside Project).
Shrill carder bumblebee © Penny Frith
Jacqui Bamford said “I am delighted that after restoring and creating this habitat it has really helped bumblebees. All the hard work is really paying off. I now have two rare bumblebee species on my land including the Ruderal and Shrill carder. The saying goes if you create it, they will come”.
The return of this rare bumblebee is a powerful reminder of the importance of conservation, particularly in protecting species that are under threat.
