Dungeness RSPB reserve. Bumblebees

24th May 2009, Sunday
Bumblebees are one of the key species interests on the Dungeness RSPB reserve, and are subject to annual monitoring of their numbers to check that experimental management for these species is working. These insects are soon to be subject to a new conservation initiative, so it is good to be able to report that on Wednesday Pete Akers and I obtained the highest counts recorded so far in the first of the years timed walks. A total of 68 bees were recorded, compared to a mean of only 34 on the same walks in May over the previous four years.

Highlights were 8 rare brown banded carder bees Bombus humilis, double the number recorded in recent years, 18 red-tailed bumblebees Bombus lapidarius (a welcome improvement for this species with only 11 of these insects reported in all three walks last year!) and a record twenty one workers of the white tailed B lucorum/ buff tailed B terrestris  (which are difficult to tell apart as workers).

 Worker of buff tailed/white tailed bumblebee on bird's-foot trefoil

 Particularly valuable food plants on the reserve at the moment were yellow flag iris Iris pseudacorus, birds foot trefoil Lotus corniculatus and common vetch Vicia sativa. The next round of monitoring walks takes place in July.

Those of you interested to find out more about these fascinating insects can join Dr Nikki Gammans for a walk and talk on the RSPB reserve this Friday at 1pm, meeting at the RSPB visitor centre.

Posted in All Latest News | by Brian Banks

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