Roofs & Rambles

We have been saying it for a number of years and they have been recorded on roofs in Switzerland, but this september Dr. Stuart Connop and Dr. G. Kadas identified on two different days brown carder bees (Bombus humilis) on a green roof in Barking Riverside, London.

Pictures courtesy of Dr. Stuart Connop

Both Dr. Kadas and I have been convinced that we would eventually record one of if not both of the rare Bombus species on a green roof.  We have both written on the subject of bees, invertebrates and green roofs. In the next few weeks will be publishing new guidance on green roofs and biodiversity co-authored with Gary Grant and to be published by Buglife - The Invertebrate Charity and Livingroofs.org.This observation supports much of our findings, research and the new guidance.

This September the new experimental field station at Barking Riverside in the East of London and in the heart of the Thames Gateway area was visited  by the species. The field lab is not regularly observed but bees were seen at the beginning of the month and we again seen at the end of the month.

What is important about this is that the surrounding landscape was pretty devoid of flowers and therefore nectar. Thus showing that green roofs designed for biodiversity [with a wide range of wildflowers) can be part of supporting this species and also Bombus sylvarum where development threatens flower rich brownfield sites in London, Essex and Kent.

It is so good when ones faith is rewarded! And exciting!