RSPB Newport Wetlands are not only home to plenty of birds, butterflies and dragonflies but also to several species of bumblebees. Rhiannon Munro got fascinated by these buzzing winged wonders and introduces you to one very special little bumblebee which you can see at your next visit to the wetlands - the shrill carder bee:
As lockdown saw more people reconnecting with their local wildlife places, it can often be surprising and exciting to discover what special creatures call your doorstep home.
This is true for Newport Wetlands as lockdown saw rare bitterns successfully breed for the first time in 200 years in South Wales. But that isn’t the only thing that is impressive about Newport’s National Nature Reserve. Did you know that Newport Wetlands is home to the UK’s rarest bumblebee?
The shrill carder bee (Bombus sylvarum) is one of Britain’s smallest and rarest bumblebees. It can be identified by its pale yellow-grey colouring, dull orange tail and the distinctive ‘black box’ of hair between the wings. As shrill suggests, it can also be recognised by its noticeably high-pitched buzz.
Photo credit: The distinctive ‘black box’ on the thorax makes shrill carder identification easier. Photo by Rhiannon Munro.
Once widespread in lowland Britain, the shrill carder bee has faced a severe reduction in its distribution during the 20th century. Now limited to five key locations locations in the UK, the Thames Estuary and Gwent Levels populations appear to be the largest and most abundant.
Photo credit: Shrill carders can be seen enjoying birds foot trefoil at RSPB Newport Wetlands. Photo by Rhiannon Munro.
Why are they so rare? Unfortunately, this bumblebee, amongst other threatened invertebrates, faces a unique set of challenges. Loss and fragmentation of flower-rich habitat isolates populations, increasing vulnerability to inbreeding and loss of genetic diversity. This vulnerability reduces the bumblebee’s resilience to challenges, such as, climate change and in turn increases the risk of local extinctions.
Photo credit: Shrill carder worker feeding on everlasting sweet pea. Photo by Rhiannon Munro.
To protect this species disappearing from our British landscape, a collaboration has been created, called The Shrill Carder Bee Strategy Steering Group. Recently, the group launched a ten-year conservation strategy outlining opportunities for habitat restoration and creation, recording and monitoring and the development of landowner relationships to improve current management on existing sites. The shrill carder bee project is part of one of the 20 species recovery projects delivered within the Back from the Brink partnership project to prevent the extinction of threatened species in England.
Photo credit: Shrill carder bee, one of the UK’s smallest bumblebees. Photo by Rhiannon Munro.
When enjoying your next summer stroll at the Wetlands, why not keep a look out for Newport’s special little bumblebee.
Rhiannon Munro