Nature reserve begins work to help rare bumblebee

Summarised from BBC Essex's report · Updated 26 Oct, 12:38 · Archive

A nature reserve in Essex is starting a three-year project to create habitats for the shrill carder bee, one of England's rarest bumblebees.

Work has begun at Canvey Wick Nature Reserve on Canvey Island, Essex, to create new habitats for the shrill carder bee, one of England's rarest bumblebees. The RSPB, which manages the 93.2-hectare site in partnership with Buglife and the Land Trust, will clear scrub to create what it calls a 'mosaic of flower-rich grassland habitats' with varied natural land features.

The three-year project was awarded a grant by Natural England's species recovery programme, which is funded by the government. Marc Outten, the nature reserve's manager, said being included in the programme was 'incredibly rewarding, giving us a real opportunity to secure the future of one of the UK's rarest bumblebees'. The shrill carder bee, also known as bombus sylvarum, is vulnerable and known for its high-pitched buzz. It thrives in warm, open conditions among flowering plants and is found in only a few regions including Kent, Somerset Levels and Glamorgan.

Read the report

• Nature reserve improves habitat for rare bumblebeeCanvey Wick is home to the vulnerable shrill carder bee.BBC Essex · 26 Oct, 05:40

In this story: Canvey Wick Nature Reserve · Canvey Island · Essex · RSPB · Buglife · Natural England · Marc Outten · Land Trust

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