home for bumblebees

A colourful, flower rich meadow near Loch Levern in Perth, Scotland has become home to rare and threatened species of bumblebee, according to the RSPB, who joined forces with the Bumblebee Conservation Trust this month to create the world's first bumblebee sanctuary. Located at Vane Farm nature reserve, the hay meadow interspersed with wild flowers, is open to the public and is already attracting many species of bumblebee as well as butterflies, hoverflies and other insects. Swallows and skylarks are also benefiting from the increased insect population. The rare Blaeberry Bumblebee is a visitor, lured down from the nearby hills and it is hoped that the critically endangered Great Yellow Bumblebee might also be persuaded to return. Loss of bumblebees could have a devastating effect on our whole ecosystem so it is vital that we protect and create habitats for them, both on a large scale and also in our back gardens. Check out this marvellous invertebrate five star pad from the Wildlife Trusts.