Today is World Bee Day
World Bee Day is celebrated on 20th May each year, marking the birthday of Anton Janša, a pioneer of modern beekeeping. The event is designated by the United Nations to raise global awareness of the importance of bees and all pollinators.
There are now lots of websites about bees, spotting, identifying and recording. This was one website that popped up........... The Bumblebee Conservation Trust
This information sheet I've had around for ages and now it's stuck in a scrapbook to keep
This photo below is from May 2024 when the Ceanothus (Californian Lilac) was buzzing with all sorts of bees, this year the flowers are just as blue and beautiful but with the colder spring and chilly wind there are very few bees about.
I picked up this leaflet about spotting Yellow Legged or Asian Hornets from somewhere last year, thankfully not established in this country yet, although they are spreading. They are predators of honey bees and other pollinators and were first spotted in the UK in 2016. Thank goodness for monitoring and eradication but still 120 sightings were recorded up to summer of last year. All sightings must be reported . This is a link HERE
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Thank you for the heads up about hornets. This is a bee-eautiful post
ReplyDeleteThank you for showing the info about Asian hornets. I hadn't realised how dark their abdomen is.
ReplyDeletePenny
I was interested to read about the way bumble bees collect pollen.
ReplyDeleteI know beekeepers that lost all their hives a few years ago.
ReplyDeleteMy andromeda shrub blooms early and one day was buzzing with bees then we got a cold snap. The flowers dropped to the ground, and I have not had anything filled with bees since this incident.
The hornets are a big concern.
Today is also my granddaughter's 19th birthday! How quickly time flies.
ReplyDeleteI stay away from bugs that sting!! :)
I love bees. 🐝 There's no happier time than gardening on a warm sunny day listening to the bees going about their business. Looking forward to those days as it's been cool and wet here in Cornwall this week and the bees have been scarce.
ReplyDeleteI've never been good at telling types of bees apart. I should pay more attention.
ReplyDeleteSadly, I don't see many bees around at all. I see lots when I visit my sister, especially in Christchurch Park where there are some lovely flowers - lavendar and such that attracts them.
ReplyDeleteI watched the bumble bees in the pear tree and haskaps one day last week. I was very happy to see them.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
European Honey Bees are something of a mixed blessing here. Yes, they are pollinators, but they do displace our native bees and compete with them for food and habitat. They have also become feral in many areas. There is a lot of research happening using native bees in horticulture, which is very promising. We have some gorgeous little native bees, including the delightfully named Teddy Bear bees. My daughter has Blue Banded bees in her garden and they are really sweet too.
ReplyDeleteI love bees, what's not to love about fuzzy, stripey, buzzy things that pollinate our plants and foods. I can't tell them apart though, I should pay more attention ... sorry bees. 🐝 🐝 🐝
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