Rare bumblebee discovery in Scotland

From the BBC:

Buzz of excitement over bumblebee

The great yellow bumblebee – one of Britain’s rarest bees – has been found at its most southerly site in 30 years.

Once widespread, its numbers declined in the face of intensive farming and has clung to survival on Orkney and the Western Isles.

The far north Highlands are home to the last mainland population.

Bob Dawson, of the Bumblebee Conservation Trust (BCT), has now discovered the species near Lybster, on the east Caithness coast.

The Stirling University-based Scottish conservation officer said its spread suggested the bumblebee has enjoyed a good summer following a run of poor ones.

Conservation efforts by farmers and landowners were also thought to have helped boost numbers.