In a previous blog I mentioned how the reserve at Brodgar is currently looking fantastic with wildflowers and bird crops in bloom. A lunchtime walk today, in search of great yellow bumblebees, proved that the same is still true – if anything it’s looking more spectacular.
The yellow flowering mustard is one of the main species in the bird crop
Orkney is one of the few places left that the great yellow bumblebee can still be found in the British Isles. It used to be found all over the UK but is now restricted to parts of north and west Scotland. They mostly live on areas of open grassland habitats rich in flowers which provide food for them throughout their nesting season. Areas like machair on the Hebrides and Orkneys rich agricultural land are very important for the great yellow bumblebees continuing survival.
At Brodgar, we manage the land for traditional Orkney farmland bird species –corncrake, lapwing, curlew, oystercatchers, redshank, skylarks and meadow pipits, to name a few! By creating species rich grasslands, not only can we provide great habitat for the birds but also for bumblebees! We also have several areas of wild bird crops here, which could provide cover for any potential corncrakes that may decide they like the look of the area, but they also provide an important food source for small farmland birds in the winter. The plants chosen to go in the mix produce seed that birds like twite, linnet, reed buntings, greenfinches liek to eat and to complement this the crop mix also has some species that are important food plants for bumblebees. This means there are a large variety of plants at Brodgar for the bumblebees throughout the spring/summer flowering at different times so they always have some food available for them.
Phacelia - a great food plant for bumblebees
Corn spurry - provides seed for wintering birds
Bush vetch along with red clover are improtant food sources for bumblebees
My search today for great yellow bumblebees was unsuccessful (it wasn’t great conditions for them – the best days to look are warm & sunny) but the show of flowers certainly made up for it!