Ivy bee seen at Woods Mill

By James Power

Head of Land Management

The ivy bee has finally been recorded at Woods Mill! Its absence from the nature reserve in the 14 years since it first turned up in the UK has been a puzzle, particularly as of last year it had spread as far north as Staffordshire and was moving into South Wales. So why wasn’t it here, especially as there is so much ivy pollen around?

Anyway, it’s great to see it here at last. And if you’re out for a walk in the next few days, take a close look at any Ivy that is flowering and you may spot this lovely insect frantically gathering pollen. Records can be sent straight in to the Bees Wasps and Ants Recording Society at http://www.bwars.com/index.php?q=content/colletes-hederae-2015