Gorse Bushes Keeping Our Sites Buzzing

Working and restored quarries are important habitats for pollinators because they have areas which are left undisturbed.  A key issue on farmland is the use of pesticides.  Quarries don’t use these chemicals and as a result we have areas that boast a good diversity of wildflowers, which in turn help support important pollinator populations.  

Sean Cassidy, Regional Environmental Manager explains, “One of the key flowering species is the humble gorse bush which flowers from the early spring and is an important food source for bumblebees, which are just coming out of their winter hibernation.  We’ve spotted seven species of bee on our sites during the spring including the Buff, Red and White Tailed Bumblebee.  

"We’ve spotted lots of bugs on sites too and are really pleased to report a marked increase in the number of ladybirds this year.  Butterflies and moths, which are vitally important at distributing wildflowers species, have been identified across our sites in healthy numbers.  It’s important that we do this work because it helps CEMEX develop better habitats and also benefits the surrounding countryside.”

This project also links with work being carried out by the European Cement Association (Cembureau). Find out more here