Following on from a talk given in February by Dr Nikki Gammans, from the Bumble Bee Conservation Trust, the Sandgate Environmental Action group (SEA) are setting up bee survey walks in the local area to help the Trust with their vital surveying work.
Nikki explained that as well as bee friendly gardening (Bumble Bee Conservation Trust Gardening Advice) Bee Walks were something positive we could do. The Bee Walks take place on the same route each month and a record is made of bees spotted and entered into a national database. Nikki explained that it is so important to get a clear picture of bee activity because the data ensures the Trust’s conservation activities and advice is underpinned by the science of what’s happening to bumblebees across the UK. The Trust needs data from this area which is where we can help.
If you’d like to get involved then please come along to the free identification training day, run by Aydan Kahn from the Bumble Bee Conservation Trust on Saturday 15th of April from 10am – 2pm in the Reading Rooms at the Old Fire Station.
Naturally there will be tea, coffee and cake but please bring your own lunch. If you can stay longer then there will be an opportunity to try out a walk with some nets.
If you would like to attend please can you let us know by emailing sandgatenevironmentalaction@gmail.com or ringing or messaging Gemma on 07984 694907.
If you’d like to do a bit of homework before or are just interested , this is pdf of their Kent Bumble Bee Guide -Bumblebees-of-Kent- Leaflet-Bumble Bee Conservation Trust
Hopefully there are many bee lovers in Sandgate who can help us carry out these surveys!
If you can’t make the training but are still interested then please email us with your contact details.