At a time where we were unable to venture far from our homes, Ted Benton took this opportunity to study the wildlife of his own Essex garden during 2020. In this article, Ted describes his observations of solitary bee species in order to further understand the role of gardens in supporting wild bees in an urban environment.
Gardens are recognised for their importance as wildlife refuges, particularly in the context of alarming declines in the farmed countryside. Much of the value of gardens is incidental, but certain groups benefit from the popularity of features specifically designed to meet their needs.