Nature reserve creating homes for rare bumblebee

Work is due to begin this week to create new floral and grassland homes for one of England's rarest bumblebees.

Canvey Wick Nature Reserve on Canvey Island, Essex, was the first brownfield area to be designated as a site of special scientific interest by Natural England in 2005.

It is home to rare invertebrates including the shrill carder bee.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) says it will clear scrub to create a "mosaic of flower-rich grassland habitats" as well as "varied natural land features".

The charity was awarded a grant for the three-year project by Natural England's species recovery programme, which is funded by the government.

Marc Outten, the nature reserve's manager, said being included in the programme was "incredibly rewarding, giving us a real opportunity to secure the future of one of the UK's rarest bumblebees".

Canvey Wick is a 93.2-hectare (230-acre) site managed by the RSPB in partnership with conservation charity Buglife and on behalf of the Land Trust.

The shrill carder bees, also known as bombus sylvarum, can be found in a few regions including Kent, Somerset Levels, Gwent Levels, Kenfig–Port Talbot (Glamorgan), and South Pembrokeshire.

Buglife said the shrill carder bee was vulnerable and known for its high-pitched buzz when flying. It thrives in warm, open conditions among flowering plants.

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