National Bee Count shows continued low bumblebee numbers in the Netherlands

The organisation behind the annual citizen science project reports that bumblebees were again relatively scarce in this year’s National Bee Count. Over 2,200 participants together recorded around 46,000 bees and other pollinating insects.

Participants recorded an average of 21 pollinators per half hour, almost unchanged from last year’s 22. The survey ran from April 16 to 20. As in the previous year, bumblebee numbers remained low, with several species still lagging well behind mason bees, which once again were the most commonly observed type.

Since 2018, the number of bumblebees in the Netherlands has decreased by 40 percent, according to the organisation. “Bumblebees are large and have long tongues, which means not all flowers are suitable for them. Herbs such as ground ivy, lungwort, and comfrey are very important for them, and it is precisely these kinds of plants that we are seeing less and less often in gardens.”

Researchers point to the cumulative impact of cold and wet spring conditions, which can reduce the chances of bumblebee queens successfully establishing nests due to lower foraging activity and reduced food availability.

Alongside the decline of key nectar and pollen plants like ground ivy and lungwort, increased garden paving is also a significant factor. Bumblebees require a steady supply of flowering plants throughout the entire season, which is often missing in many modern, heavily paved gardens.

The National Bee Count is run by Naturalis, LandschappenNL, and IVN Natuureducatie.