Helping bees in Yorkshire and Bowland
With the help of hundreds of amazing volunteers, we have recorded 21,663 bumblebees of 12 different species across the Yorkshire Dales and Forest of Bowland since 2014 as part of the Bumblebee Conservation Trust’s national BeeWalk initiative!
Being able to monitor the bumblebee population so closely over an extended period has given us an insight into the needs of our increasingly vulnerable pollinators, together with amazingly detailed information about the wildflower species and habitats they depend upon to thrive.
Why do wildflowers matter?
Early analysis of ten years of BeeWalk data from our project areas shows a worrying overall decline in bumblebee numbers, but there are reasons for hope. Data highlights how beneficial wildflower hay meadows can be for bumblebees and other insects both in terms of the sheer number of bumblebees recorded and the diversity of species.
We also know that small, wildflower-rich sites such as gardens, school grounds, village greens, road verges and churchyards provide important ‘stepping-stones’ for pollinators - so they can get from A to Bee!
Data from our research also showed:
- White and buff tailed bumblebees were the most commonly recorded, making up over 70% of records some years
- Populations of white & buff tailed bumblebees are on a definite upward trend, while other species numbers have fluctuated
- The top four flowers visited were white and red clover, yellow rattle and common knapweed
The full report, to be published in late 2024, will provide crucial insights into the needs of pollinators in the local area.
For the full national picture you can read the Bumblebee Conservation Trust's BeeWalk Annual Report 2024
BeeWalk Volunteers
For the last decade, volunteers have walked 485 kilometers across 24 different sites in the Dales and Forest of Bowland to collect bumblebee data.
Our BeeWalk volunteers are not only making a vital contribution to bee conservation but they also benefit from the experience. Maurice White is one of our committed volunteers who has been taking part in BeeWalks for almost a decade.
“I’ve learned a great deal about the range of bumblebee species we see in the Dales and about bumblebees in general. They’re an indicator of the health of the environment.
"I do my counting in a really beautiful place and it’s a delight and a privilege to be even a tiny part of supporting and encouraging that.
“It has certainly made a great deal of difference to me. I get out regularly to places that I might only have visited occasionally. I have met many people and made many new friends. I really enjoy the feeling of responsibility for the wellbeing of an area. I would definately recommend people to become involved in BeeWalks.”
Maurice White, BeeWalk Volunteer
Help save our bees
Meadows cover just 1% of land in the UK but can be home to thousands of species of pollinators and other insects. With your support we can reverse the decline of bees by creating more of the wildflower-rich habitats they depend on for survival.
We've created around 800 hectares (that's just over 3 square miles!) of wildflower meadow so far. Help us make more!
Other ways you can help our bees
Give a Living Bouquet wildflower gift for £25 and help restore wildflower meadows in the Yorkshire Dales, home to bumblebees, birds and butterflies.
Find out how to bring bees, pollinators and other wildlife into your garden, with our gardening guides and follow our videos to create your own wildflower meadow.
Inspire children to explore the magical world of bees. Our bee box is packed with everything you need to discover bees from magnifying glass to wildflower seeds.
