Something amazing is happening in a field in Newchurch – bees, thousands of them of 72 different species.
From the earliest to emerge in March to the latest in November the Field of Hope is alive and buzzing, but there’s nothing to fear, these are in the main tiny mining bees that burrow into the sandy soil, far too small and preoccupied with their mining to be a threat to anyone.
In fact it is a place to visit precisely because it is so wonderful for bees.
A welcome dose of optimism
We’ve all heard the global concerns over collapsing bee numbers, the loss of hives and the increasing threat to crops we rely on these insects to pollinate for us. To see a site so alive with these same species is a welcome dose of optimism.
Natural Enterprise is working with the landowner, the local school and people from the community of Newchurch to conserve and enhance the special habitats that have developed in these old maize fields now extensively planted with new woodland – hot and sunny glades, bare sandy ground, diverse and a rich flora bursting with nectar and pollen.
Natural Enterprise get to work
Thanks to funding from Gift to Nature, raised in partnership with the Isle of Wight Festival (through the ‘Let it Bee’ campaign) and from the AONB’s Sustainable Development Fund, Natural Enterprise will be clearing more glades for the bees, building special nestbanks and planting new flower species through February and March this year.
Sam Buck, Gift to Nature Project Manager said “The Field of Hope is an amazing refuge for rare bees; we are very excited to be safe guarding this precious and rare site and can’t wait to see what else may spring up in the future”.
Many sites managed by Gift To Nature
The Field of Hope is one of many sites managed by Gift to Nature across the Island and it is their mission to not only care for the Island’s wildlife but encourage everyone to get out and explore our fantastic countryside.
Help from Adam Wright
With the help of expert Island entomologist, Adam Wright, the Field of Hope will be surveyed for a second year to see how bee populations respond and gather more information so that we can continue to manage and protect this extraordinary wildlife resource.
The 2010 surveys found two bee species entirely new to the Island and over 20 that are nationally rare making these little fields one of the most significant invertebrate conservation sites on the Island, more than that, a place of national ecological importance.
Why not see for yourself what all the fuss is about; park in the Newchurch car park and visit the Field of Hope which is close by or watch a continuous moving layer of bees, all about 8 inches from the ground courtesy of Ian Boyd.
If you would like to know more about the sites managed by Gift to Nature visit their Website .
