bees

A fantastic start of the easter holidays with bee watching at Samares Manor. We've been seeing lots of queen Common carder bumblebees along slide the solitary hairy-footed flower bees. The Herb garden has been a buzz of activity and we're even spotted some tiny mining bees sunbathing on the leaves warming up.

A lunch time talk on the secret lives of insects during the winter months and how we can prepare for their arrival in spring.

About this event

Bees are a beautiful animal to spot during our warmer months but understanding where they disappear off to is key in helping these animals thrive. Calling all gardeners and wildlife enthusiasts who always pondered where does the wildlife go?

Doors open at 13:00. Talk begins at 13:10 to finish at 13:45.

When thinking about bees, the honey bee is the iconic bee species which comes to mind and the thought of bees is often followed by thoughts of nature, summer and picnics. However, there are over 20,000 bee species which are categorized into many different groups including; honey bees, bumblebees, mining bees and solitary bees. Bees belong to the Hymenoptera taxon order in the insecta class along with other familiar species including ants and wasps.   

Now the weather is better it is time to get counting the pollinators!   

As patches are flowering across the island, either as a dedicated pollinator patch or as a wild garden from no mow may, it is time to see what animals are using these spaces. You will need good weather to complete the survey. If the sky is clear a minimum of 13°C is needed to complete the survey or if the sky is cloudy then a minimum temperature for a count is 15°C

Bumblebees are a charismatic group of insects as they are recognised for their important ecological role in pollination of both wild and agricultural plants. Unfortunately, after the Second World War, their numbers and geographic range declined. Whilst this is likely due to a combination of possible explanations, the leading cause is currently thought to be the intensification of farming (2–4).

On the 15th and 16th we invited India Wedge over to run a two day training course on pollinator identification. The Sponsorship for the Countryside enhancement scheme allowed the JBC to run this course at a huge discount to the attendees. Held at Jersey Zoo classroom and grounds we spent two days surveying their pollinator patches.

As summer is drawing to a close there is still a lot we can do to support pollinators over winter. Autumn is the perfect time to start planting your pollinator patches, as the weather gets wetter the ground is ideal for the seeds.  To start your pollinator patch you need a dedicated patch of ground, whether that’s in a lawn, window box, pot or flower bed, any size will do. You can purchase a Jersey wildflower mix from Normans suitable for urban areas, gardens and schools.

Spring is the perfect time to start your wildlife recording journey. Whether you are watching wildlife from your window or out for a walk there is always plenty to see if we slow down. 

Wildflowers are showing up all along the lanes in Jersey. Whilst social distancing doesn't mean you can't get outside to enjoy the fresh air. There are plenty of walks to enjoy out in the countryside. 

Myth Busting Monday – Do all bees die after they sting humans?
 To begin, not all bees sting, males across species cannot sting. Those species which can sting, the honey bee is the one that is likely to die after stinging. It’s because of this that it is assumed that all bee species follow the same rule. MYTH BUSTED – False