22 November 2012 Anthony McCluskey - Bees for Everyone

Rotary learns of the plight of the bumble bee

Intensive farming methods have largely contributed to the 97 per cent drop in the UK's bumble bee population since the 1940s because they have fewer habitats to feed and nest says Anthony McCluskey, Bees for Everyone (BfE) outreach officer, who is based at Stirling university as part of the Bumblebee Conservation Trust (BBCT).

            Mr McCluskey, who gives bee walks and talks throughout Central Scotland, was guest speaker at the  meeting last Thursday evening, He talked through the life-cycle of bumble bees - that lasts just one year - as well as the differences between honey and bumble bees. "There are 250 bumble bee species in the world, of which 24 are found in the UK, However several are now under threat of extinction," he said.

As bumble bees play such a pivotal ecological role in pollinating flowers and around 80 per cent of Europe's crops, it is vital to preserve and increase their habitats. So the trust works with landowners and managers to create meadows containing bee-friendly plants like cornflowers, red clover and poppies. "Locally, we have established a meadow at the RSPB reserve at Loch Leven," he said. "And we also work with communities and schools. Homeowners too can encourage bees into their gardens by planting shrubs and flowers like lavender, sweet peas, heathers and honeysuckle." More information about plants and the work of the trust, can be found on the BBCT website: bumblebeeconservation.org.