Operation Bumblebee

Bumblebee populations on some UK arable farms have declined by more than 70% over the past 30 years, primarily through loss of vital nectar food resources and nesting sites as cropping patterns have changed. One of the 20 bumblebee species has disappeared altogether, and three other species are on the verge of extinction.  Six bumblebee species are at precariously low populations and three bumblebee species are categorised as ‘on the verge of extinction’.

We recognise the bumblebee as a key species in our Whole Farm Conservation Management Plan. The aim is to increase the number of bumblebees over the next three summers, as well as increasing the population of bumblebees, other wildlife, including butterflies, beetles, bugs and farmland birds will also benefit. There are a number of projects in place to enhance wildlife on the farmed land.

We have developed a series of wildlife corridors and have built beetle banks, seeded with a specific grass mix. Field margins have been enhanced and seeded with both pollen and nectar mix and butterfly and bee mix.