Male Bombus ruderarius

Hello everyone

I walked a transect on Friday with Peter and Helen Amos at the new RSPB reserve at Lydden. We were very excited to see the rare BAP species B. ruderarius, the red shanked carder bee. We first saw a workers and then 3 males. This is very rare and in fact the first time I have seen 3 males in one day! We also saw a worker of B. mucorum, the moss carder bee. Some of this reserve will be set aside for wild flower hay meadows which will be perfect for these species.

I will be giving a talk and walk tomorrow at RSPB Dungeness from 2-4pm. Hope to see you there....
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