By Sohaib Shams
A rare sea aster mining bee, typically found along England's south and east coasts, has been discovered at Steart Marshes in Somerset, marking an unexpected westward expansion for the species.
Unexpected discovery
Naturalist Nigel Phillips spotted the zebra-striped bees at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust reserve, describing the find as a "huge surprise." He observed multiple colonial nest areas in dry sandy ground, a habitat he previously associated only with the Thames estuary.
Habitat restoration success
The sighting follows a saltmarsh restoration project completed in 2014 that transformed former farmland into coastal wetlands by allowing seawater to flow back across the fields. The reserve now supports abundant sea aster, the pink and yellow flower the bee relies on for food as summer turns to autumn.
Importance of saltmarshes
Site manager Bay Alys Laver said the discovery highlights the often-overlooked invertebrate life in saltmarshes, where 148 of 290 invertebrate species are exclusive to such habitats. The trust said the find demonstrates how restoring coastal habitats can help rare species thrive.
