THE BUMBLEBEE

There are more than 250 species of native bee in Britain, including 19 species of bumblebee - 25% of them are now endangered.  In the last three years, one species of bumblebee has been declared extinct and another has become extinct along the south coast.  Today, only six out of sixteen species are easily found and even these have declined in numbers.  Bumblebees are beneficial to farmers because of their importance in pollination, although it is, ironically, the  reduction in suitable farmland habitat that has aided the decline of the bumblebee.  The Bumblebee Working Group and English Nature are encouraging farmers to encourage White Deadnettle growth in hedgerows, establish Red Clover in field margins, leave field margins uncultivated for a few years to provide hibernation sites and forage areas.  Gardeners can do their bit too by providing a small meadow area in their gardens and leaving an area of rough grass, preferably by a hedge for mice or voles to nest in - Queen bumblebees like to nest in old mouse and vole nests.

You can evenbuy bee nesting cylinders to attract Red Mason bees, who are excellent pollinators and non-aggressive, and special boxes for bumblebees to nest in.  Interesting fact - a bumblebee can carry up to 60% of its body weight in pollen.