Beewalk

Beewalk

More Meadowlands Updates

As part of the grant we received from Herefordshire Meadows (2021 Meadow Makers Project funded by Green Recovery Challenge) I will make an annual Beewalk through my newly sown wildflower meadow. All the data submitted from my survey goes to the Bumblebee Conservation Trust. The number of Bumblebees in this country is declining and we have already lost two species
My Bee Walk is in the form of a ‘W’ through my field, taking in hedgerow habitat, open meadowland and a small copse. The Herefordshire Meadows group organised a wonderful training morning with Doctor Richard Comont from The Bumblebee Conservation Trust. Armed with an insect net, a marking pot and a hand lens, we learned to catch bumblebees safely and to identify the different species and their castes, whether they are queens, workers or drones. A film crew from WWF-UK captured some of the action for a forthcoming UK nature conservation series

 

Dr Richard Comont demonstrating Bumblebee identification techniques

 

Bumblebee Identification Training

Tree Bumblebee Caste

Anyone can join this worthwhile initiative and become a Beewalker like me! All you need is basic bumblebee identification knowledge (there are only eight common types of Bumblebees in the UK), a spare hour and decide on a fixed route and send in your sightings. The Bumblebee Conservation Trust has excellent ID guides available on its website where you can download the requisite forms

Candida Hopkinson