England Replaces Lawnmowers With Scythes to Save Rare Bees

Volunteers in Somerset are trading power tools for medieval farming equipment, and it might just save a species.

English Heritage has launched a three-year project using scythes instead of lawnmowers to maintain historic meadows around Muchelney Abbey. The goal is protecting the shrill carder bumblebee, one of Britain's rarest pollinators found in only five locations across the country.

The problem with modern mowers is simple but deadly. These bumblebees nest in the ground, and electric mowers move so fast that the insects can't escape. Scythes work slowly enough to let wildlife flee while still cutting grass that helps wildflowers bloom.

"If you take mowers in here, there's a risk that you can hurt them," explains Ed McGregor, the site manager at English Heritage. The slower, manual approach gives bees a fighting chance.

The shrill carder bumblebee gets its name from two quirks. Like other carder bees, it "cards" or combs plant fibers to build ground nests, similar to textile work. But this species stands out for its unusually high-pitched buzz.

Volunteers trained by Exmoor National Park Authority now swing the curved blades through Somerset meadows in exchange for bread and cheese. The scythe itself dates back to at least the eighth century in Europe, when skilled reapers could cut two acres of wheat per day.

"You find your rhythm and zone into it," says volunteer coordinator Ginny Slade. "You can really connect with the meadow, the landscape."

The Ripple Effect

This project does more than protect one bee species. Volunteers conduct wildlife surveys while they work, tracking which flowers bloom, which plants bees visit, and how far the insects travel from their nests. That data will help conservationists understand what these endangered pollinators need to survive.

The shrill carder population has crashed as England's flower-rich grasslands disappeared. Maintaining the remaining meadows requires cutting grass so wildflowers can thrive and provide pollen. The scythe offers a solution that's both ancient and innovative.

"Scything is a wonderful example of how traditional skills can still have a role in addressing modern challenges," Slade explains. The project preserves both endangered bees and endangered knowledge.

McGregor has found an unexpected bonus in the work. "It's incredibly satisfying, and hearing the swish through the ground is amazing." Sometimes the old ways work best.