BeeWalks on the Farm
Last summer, we welcomed a local BeeWalker volunteer to the farm to see what could be spotted in our various flower rich margins and meadows.
As part of our sustainable farming approach, we decided to make the most of unused areas (fallow) to benefit the farm and most importantly, support biodiversity and the wider environment as much as we can. Flower-rich margins provide the perfect habitat for pollinators such as bees and butterflies, as well as foraging sites for a plethora of other wildlife.
We were delighted to discover a total of 398 bees, buzzing away happily in the vibrant phacelia and bumblebird mixes around the farm.
Findings;
61 Bombus terestris/lucorum these are Bufftails or White tailed bumblebees. Queens workers and males. The Queens were all Buff-tails and the Males mainly Buffs with one male White-tail. Workers could be either as they look the same in the field.
7 Bombus pascuorum, Common carder bees, workers and males.
5 Bombus lapidarius, Red-tailed. Queens, workers and males.
263 Buff/white tails
51 Red-tails
11 common carders
‘Where would these bees ? be if it wasn’t for these margins!’
We are excited to continue this record through the seasons and see how it changes.