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Study sheds light on ground-nesting bee habitats
Far less is known about ground-nesting bees than honeybees or bumblebees.

Public helps to gather valuable results

A citizen science project run by Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), has revealed that solitary, ground-nesting bees are capable of nesting in a wide variety of habitats. This research could help to protect these important pollinators through better land management.

As solitary bees’ nests can be difficult to find, there has been little research into their nesting behaviour. By enlisting the help of the general public, ARU researchers were able to conduct a far more expansive study. In total they received almost 400 submissions during 2017.

The public were asked to report active nesting sites of four solitary species that nest in aggregations. These species were:

  • The ashy mining bee
  • The tawny mining bee
  • The ivy bee
  • The yellow-legged furrow bee.

Verifiable recordings revealed that the bees studied were able to nest in a broad range of habitats, with varying preferences between species.

Tawny mining bees were typically seen nesting on flat ground (82 per cent). 68 per cent of these nests were in at least partial shade. In contrast, ivy bee nests were found on both flat and sloped land, and 74 per cent of these nests were fully exposed to sunlight.

Senior lecturer in zoology at ARU Dr Thomas Ings, who is also the senior author of the study, said: “By enlisting the general public we have been able to increase awareness of solitary bees and at the same time collect valuable information on nest site characteristics.

“This information on nesting behaviour is highly valuable because it puts us in a better position to provide advice to land owners on how to manage their land sympathetically in order to protect these important, ground-nesting solitary bees.”

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.