Rare bumblebees on rise

England's five rarest bumblebee species have made a comeback in a former stronghold, thanks to wildlife-friendly farming that aims to support an extinct bee being reintroduced from New Zealand, conservationists said today.

The five threatened species, including the shrill carder bee, England’s rarest bumblebee, have spread their geographic range in the South East as a result of environmental schemes in Dungeness and Romney Marsh.

Farms in the area have been working to restore a suitable habitat for the short-haired bumblebee.