For most bumblebee species, winter is a time for hibernation. Queens can be expected to spend about half of their life in hibernation! But for the Buff-tailed bumblebee (Bombus terrestris), winter can be as busy a time as the rest of the year.
In the warmer parts of the UK, winter colonies of this species are regularly recorded, even when temperatures are close to freezing and there is snow on the ground.
These plucky bees are feeding upon a few winter-flowering plant species such as Mahonia, Viburnum x bodnantense, Strawberry tree, Snowdrop, Winter honeysuckle, Heather and Rhododendron “Christmas Cheer”
Our actions make a difference
There are plenty of things we can be doing – not just as a church but individually at home.
Jackie Orbell
Barrow Benefice ECO Church
RISBY ECO CHURCH ENVIRONMENT OFFICER
