*Ivy Bee at burrow, Photo credit: Jim Oldroyd
THE Ivy Bee has been recorded in Clare for the first time after a colony was discovered in Sixmilebridge.
The colony was discovered on September 26 by citizen scientist Jim Oldroyd while he was out walking with his children.
The Ivy Bee (Colletes hederae) was first recorded in Ireland in 2021 at the Raven Nature Reserve in Co Wexford.
Until now, sightings had been concentrated in the south-east of the country, mainly in Wexford and Wicklow.
Mr Oldroyd said he was drawn to the colony after hearing the noise of the bees digging burrows.
“The first thing that drew my attention was the noise the bees were making digging burrows. The earth was shooting out like a miniature volcano!” he said.
He said he knew he was looking at something unusual when he saw the bee and was “delighted” when its identity was confirmed.
“The colony is very active, it’s intriguing to watch the females clearing out the burrows in such an accessible place for people to see, right on the edge of a housing estate,” he said.
“The bees don’t seem to mind being close to humans, in fact they show no interest at all.”
Mr Oldroyd said he hoped residents in Sixmilebridge would get the chance to enjoy the colony.
“It just goes to show the importance of allowing space for wildlife to thrive and not being too tidy,” he said.
“In this case, all nature needed was a bare slope and some flowering ivy.”
Barry O’Loughlin, Clare County Council Biodiversity Officer, described the discovery as “a significant find” and a new record of the solitary bee for Clare.
He said the record highlighted the importance of communities supporting pollinator-friendly initiatives and submitting wildlife records to the National Biodiversity Data Centre.
According to Owen Beckett of the National Biodiversity Data Centre, the record represents a “surprising expansion” of the Ivy Bee’s known range in Ireland.
He said it suggested the species could be more widespread than previously thought, particularly in southern counties.
The Ivy Bee nests in loose, light or sandy soil on south-facing banks and cliffs, with ivy providing a source of nectar and pollen.
The species is most active during September and October when ivy is in flower.
The Ivy Bee is a solitary species and is not considered a threat to Ireland’s native pollinators.
The National Biodiversity Data Centre is encouraging people to submit suspected sightings of the species to help track its distribution and changes in pollinator populations.
The discovery comes as the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan 2026-2030 aims to address declines in pollinator populations by encouraging the creation of suitable habitats across the island.
