Bumblebees

These familiar insects are a vital part of the countryside and have suffered a dramatic decline in numbers in recent years. They can still be seen in those areas of the Reserve where there are flowering plants.

The Bumblebee Conservation Trust website is the best source of information about bumblebees. The commonest species found in Scotland (and on the Reserve) are:

Buff-tailed bumblebee (Bombus terrestris)
Common carder bee (Bombus pascuorum)
White- tailed bumblebee (Bombus lucorum)
Garden bumblebee (Bombus hortorum)
Early bumblebee (Bombus pratorum)
Red-tailed bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius)

Some useful identification books for bumblebees ...