“It was fascinating to discover that there are 25 bumblebee species in Britain and to find out more about the ‘Big 8’ which are commonly seen in our gardens and green spaces. Thanks to our volunteer surveyors we will find out which species are most often seen at Croome" said Katherine Alker, Croome’s Garden and Outdoors Manager
The bee, the scarcest of the three all-ginger carder bumblebees, is found in open flower-rich grasslands in the south of England and Wales where it shows a strong preference for clover, knapweed, red bartsia and similar flower species. Males, workers and queens are similar in appearance, ginger-brown all over with no clearly-delineated tail, often with a darker brown band on the second abdominal segment.
After introducing ‘holistic grazing’ to the meadows in the parkland the once impoverished soil has slowly transformed into a healthy and natural environment teeming with wildlife which appears to be attracting this uncommon type of bee.