Bumble Bees.

SailorSam

I read on the Internet a few weeks ago about the Bumble Bee Conservation Trust having volunteer training days, i posted on here at the time for anyone that might have been interested to go along. Unfortunately there were only about half-a-dozen places spread over the Country, I was lucky that one was the Wildflower Centre here in Liverpool about 4mls away, and i've been there today.
It was great, i learned a lot about the different types of bees; what we can do to encourage them; and why they're so important.
I just wanted to say if you get the chance to go to one of these open days you should take it. Alternatively have a read of their website to see how small changes in your garden can help make big changes in our environment. You may even want to read about how you could get involved as a volunteer in your area.
http://bumblebeeconservation.org/about-bees/habitats/

mrbadexample

Thanks to your previous post on the subject, I'm off to one tomorrow. It had better be worth missing the Olympics for!

Beetlemama

We had a bumble bee nest in the garden last year, sad they didn't come back but I am all in favour of bumbles

We're thinking of keeping honey bees next year.

Foxy0810

There is one in Stafford tomorrow it will be too late join now wish I'd known sooner

Eenymeeny

SailorSam wrote: »

I read on the Internet a few weeks ago about the Bumble Bee Conservation Trust having volunteer training days, i posted on here at the time for anyone that might have been interested to go along. Unfortunately there were only about half-a-dozen places spread over the Country, I was lucky that one was the Wildflower Centre here in Liverpool about 4mls away, and i've been there today.
It was great, i learned a lot about the different types of bees; what we can do to encourage them; and why they're so important.
I just wanted to say if you get the chance to go to one of these open days you should take it. Alternatively have a read of their website to see how small changes in your garden can help make big changes in our environment. You may even want to read about how you could get involved as a volunteer in your area.
http://bumblebeeconservation.org/about-bees/habitats/

Thanks OP I've posted the info on a local wildlife site:T

mrbadexample

Definitely worth attending. Learned quite a bit.

margaretclare

We visited the National Wildflower Centre near Liverpool a few years ago now. A few weeks ago there was a series by Sarah Raven of Gardeners' World who was on a crusade to get local authorities to change their policy of planting highly-coloured garish non-native species which are useless to any insect including bees, because they can't get into them and can't get at the nectar which they need.

Flowers should be single rather than double, with open spaces that the bees can get into.

We have lavender plants just outside the front door and they're always full of bees of all kinds. They also love borage.