Surveys undertaken by Buglife and the National Trust at Godrevy Farm, near Gwithian have led to the exciting discovery of the nationally scarce Red Bartsia Bee at the site. Previously this bee had only been known from one other site in Cornwall where the first Cornish record for the bee in 20 years was made back in 2022.
The Red Bartsia Bee (Melitta tricincta) was found at Godrevy by local entomologist Paddy Saunders and Nick Holden from the National Trust. This discovery is likely the direct result of conservation work undertaken by Buglife’s North Cornwall B-Lines project in 2022 where the Red Bartsia plant was introduced to the site from seed harvested from a nearby farm.
“I was extremely pleased to find Red Bartsia Bee at Godrevy National Trust this year,” says Paddy. “We found both males and females which was great as this indicated the bee had colonised following us sowing the foodplant.”
Paddy was impressed that this small bee could immediately sniff out their host plant, especially because the nearest known colony is over one kilometre away and there are no patches of Red Bartsia plants between that colony and Godrevy. “This is good evidence that simple interventions to conserve threatened bees can be effective very quickly,” Paddy concluded.
Buglife’s current project Kernow Wyls: People for Pollinators is made possible with the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, Buglife has been able to continue the collaboration with the National Trust at Godrevy and also work with other landowners across Cornwall; helping to further support pollinators.
National Trust Area Ranger at Godrevy, Nick Holden, said, “We are absolutely delighted to be continuing the B-Lines partnership work with Buglife. It is inspiring to work with such a knowledgeable and dedicated organisation. Working together with local landowners, schools and volunteers has delivered great results in our grasslands, enhancing species richness and increasing habitats for specialist bees that are under threat in the landscape. We are committed to continue this successful project long into the future so that incredible species such as the Red Bartsia Bee may expand their range on the Cornish Coast.”
Habitat connectivity is vitally important for this bee as well as other insects.
Dr Will Hawkes, Kernow Wyls Conservation Assistant explains, “Buglife’s B-Lines are a series of ‘insect pathways’ running through our countryside and towns, along which we are restoring and creating wildflower-rich habitat stepping stones. These help to support the nearly 300 wild bee species in Britain, which are each perfectly evolved to pollinate our native flowers.”
Scott Martin, Kernow Wyls Conservation Officer added, “Alongside restoring flowers to our countryside, Kernow Wyls also offers amazing opportunities for local communities and landowners to help support Cornwall’s pollinators. Over the next 18 months we will be running insect identification workshops, habitat restoration days, as well as providing opportunities to meet some of our most threatened insect species. We can also offer advice on helping nature on farmland, small holdings and community green spaces within our B-Lines network to help give our pollinating insects a much-needed boost.”
To find out more and get involved, please visit buglife.org.uk/projects/kernow-wyls-people-for-pollinators or email [email protected]
Main Image Credit: Red Bartsia Bee (Melitta tricincta) © Paddy Saunders