Bumblebees are struggling in UK heatwaves - but you can help them

Core point

The Bumblebee Conservation Trust's monitoring scheme indicates a decline in bumblebee populations following the heat of 2022. UK bumblebees struggle to fly when temperatures reach between 28C and 32C. The data shows that in 2022, common bumblebee species experienced significant population drops, with red-tailed bumblebees down by 20%. Additionally, the effects of the heatwaves extended into 2023, with queen numbers below average in early spring.