Rare bee species spotted at Gwavas Park, Newlyn

The new pollinator planting with support from Cormac at Gwavas Park, Newlyn is having a fantastic impact on the environment, helping reverse insect decline in Cornwall. The incredibly rare ‘Perkin’s Mining Bee’ has been a special sight to see at the park this year.

The rare bee species, Andrena rosae (Perkins’ Mining Bee), is a Red Data Book Bee with a very restricted distribution, i.e. very rare and in decline. Late summer flowers are very important to support this species, which is exactly what we have at Gwavas Park, Newlyn. 

The new pollinator planting beds were planted this spring with the help of the Newlyn Primary and Alverton Primary Schools, as well as the community gardeners from Newlyn Community Flora Group and the Urban Green Shoot Scheme in partnership with Cormac. The Urban Green Shoots scheme works to achieve these kinds of fantastic environmental results - so well done to the whole team involved.

The bees are seen here feeding on the blue Sea Holly. Photo credit to Dr Leo Will Hawkes, Insect Migration Researcher.