Wilder Kent Blog

Learn more about the wildlife and wild places in Kent and beyond.

Species Female Brown Banded Carder Bee
©️ Clare Marshall

Buzzing with purpose: Volunteering for bumblebees at Queendown Warren

I have been a BeeWalk volunteer with the Bumblebee Conservation Trust (BBCT) since 2024. I have also been a Kent Wildlife Trust volunteer joining the Pine Marten project at Bedgebury in 2025. I live near Queendown Warren and the South East Area Manager (BBCT) was interested in how a chalk cliff area traditionally managed for butterflies supported bumblebees in this rare habitat.

Nature Reserves Bob and the other Longhorns sitting in a field

Bob the Longhorn

Bob is the most striking and charismatic of our longhorns; he is well loved by our staff and volunteers. He is good natured and respects the 10-metre distance that should be kept between people and livestock. Bob can sometimes be quite stubborn; if he is feeling particularly restful he will refuse to move for anything.