Bumblebee Conservation Trust

What would you do in this situation? Question: Help! We found a bumblebee nest that had been exposed by a strimmer. We gently covered the entrance with sticks and grass, leaving the bumblebees enough room to move in and out. Was this the right thing to do? There are a lot of birds in the area, and the bumblebees would have become snacks if we had left the nest exposed. Answer: Originally, the nest would have been nicely protected in the long vegetation before it was cut. It’s great that you took the time to give these bumblebees some shelter. We always recommend gently replacing any nest material, such as long grass, to recover the entrance. If there isn’t any available, an alternative method is to prop something over the top of the nest to shelter it from the weather. It’s best to then leave the area alone so the bumblebees can get on with repairing any damage. Have you spotted a bumblebee nest this summer? 🎥 Phil Eyden

An exclusive wine tasting event with Corney and Barrow LTD hosted by our patron Olly Smith alongside our CEO Gill Perkins 🍷 Join them at 6pm on Wednesday 4 September to taste their 🐝mixed case, a selection curated to support the Trust's important work! By attending, you are helping to save the UK's #bumblebees. 🎟️ Bee quick and book your ticket today for an evening full of 'buzz': https://ow.ly/Xhs350T2Stx #WineTasting #Bumblebees #Event

Keep it neat? Or let it grow out? What do you think about pesticides' impact on bumblebees, human health and the environment? Show your support for a national ban on the use of urban pesticides by signing the petition. https://ow.ly/HMSS50T30hM #GoPesticideFree

We are looking for a Conservation Projects Manager (Species Recovery) 🐝 This position is a job-share with one other existing staff member.  Your primary role will be to coordinate and deliver species recovery planning work, develop and launch a threatened bumblebee species recovery programme, and raise the profile of rare and threatened bumblebee species. You will be an experienced conservation professional with a sound understanding of landscape-scale species conservation. You will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, experience of project, people and budget management, project development, writing funding bids, and managing a partnership. An understanding of the ecology and conservation of threatened bumblebees is highly desirable. 🕒 Part-time, permanent position 📍 Home-based with frequent travel Sound like your dream job? Make a beeline for our vacancy page for the details: https://ow.ly/rz0t50SVE3L We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer, fostering diversity and inclusion in our workplace #EqualOpportunities #Bumblebees #Bees #Education #Conservation #Recruiting #Vacancy

With the British weather being unpredictable 🌦️ it can sometimes make that summer holiday juggle even more difficult. We have come up with something to keep your children buzzy this summer, with indoor and outdoor bumblebee-themed activities. Buy your Bumbling Explorer pack in our shop today: https://lnkd.in/eUp-yQq8

We are looking for a Conservation Projects Manager (Species Recovery) 🐝 This position is a job-share with one other existing staff member.  Your primary role will be to coordinate and deliver species recovery planning work, develop and launch a threatened bumblebee species recovery programme, and raise the profile of rare and threatened bumblebee species. You will be an experienced conservation professional with a sound understanding of landscape-scale species conservation. You will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, experience of project, people and budget management, project development, writing funding bids, and managing a partnership. An understanding of the ecology and conservation of threatened bumblebees is highly desirable. 🕒 Part-time, permanent position 📍 Home-based with frequent travel Sound like your dream job? Make a beeline for our vacancy page for the details: https://ow.ly/rz0t50SVE3L We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer, fostering diversity and inclusion in our workplace #EqualOpportunities #Bumblebees #Bees #Education #Conservation #Recruiting #Vacancy

After the cold wet start, there are fewer bumblebees around this year, but now is the time to spot new queens from successful nests 👑 At this time of year, new queens can be seen feeding on flowers to build up body fat to hibernate over winter. If there are still lots of food available, some queens might skip their winter hibernation and establish a nest this year 🌻 If you see queens with full pollen baskets then there's probably a new nest somewhere close by 🏡 A quick bumblebee queen checklist: ⏫ Much larger than males and workers. 📦 Appear 'fresh out of the wrapper' with neat hair and shiny wings. 🔔 Often have a louder, deeper buzz due to their larger size. 🧺 Have pollen baskets (shiny, flattish segments) on their hind legs. 🔎 Brush up on your bumblebee identification skills with our pocket ID Guides 👉🏿 https://ow.ly/ILZk50SRcaM

We are looking for a Project Officer (Uists and Barra) to help deliver the Species on the Edge Programme locally 🐝 The post holder will lead on meeting the project’s conservation objectives in the Uists and Barra, including engagement with the crofting communities, volunteer recruitment and training. They will implement habitat and multi-species survey and monitoring work. The post will liaise with the People Engagement Officer to support people engagement work, and with partners on delivery of wider Species on the Edge programme aims. Species on the Edge is a ground-breaking partnership programme of NatureScot and seven nature conservation charities, all dedicated to improving the fortunes of 37 priority species found along Scotland’s coast and islands, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. 🕒 Part-time, fixed term 📍 Home-based, Uists/Barra, Outer Hebrides Sound like your dream job? Make a beeline for our vacancy page for the details: https://ow.ly/VLFJ50SPU9V We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer, fostering diversity and inclusion in our workplace #EqualOpportunities #Bumblebees #Bees #Education #Conservation #Recruiting #Vacancy

August arrives with these rare and less common bumblebees 🐝 Have you ever been lucky enough to spot one?

August might be your last chance to spot an Early bumblebee before the queens settle down to hibernate over winter ⏳ Here’s your quick checklist for how to identify them: 👑🚹 Queens and males have a yellow band at the top of the thorax and the abdomen. ⚫ Queens have black facial hair. 🟡 Males have a yellow face and longer hair. 🔴 Small red/orange tail. 🧭 Widespread across most of the UK. 📍 Frequently found in gardens and parks. 🌷 Forages on blackcurrants, raspberries, white clover, white dead-nettle and borage. 🐀 Nest mainly in old rodent nests. What bumblebees have you spotted recently?