1

Buzzword

Celebrating 10 years of the Bumblebee Conservation Trust in 2016

bumblebeeconservation.org

The Bumblebee Conservation Trust’s members’ special edition newsletter

November 2016 - Issue 32

Saving the sound of summer

2

For Nature - forever

4 10 18

Get in touchPost Bumblebee Conservation Trust, Beta Centre, Stirling University Innovation Park, Stirling FK9 4NF

Phone 01786 594 130

Email enquiries@bumblebeeconservation.org volunteering@bumblebeeconservation.org membership@bumblebeeconservation.org media@bumblebeeconservation.org

Cover picturePaul Willis: Buff-tailed bumblebee (Bombus

terrestris)

The 2016 ‘State of Nature’ report, was published on the 14 September and I attended the launch event in London.

There were many small victories in the report to celebrate, but overall it’s not good news: 15% of our native species are under threat of extinction, while 53% are in decline. To read the full report, visit: www.bumblebeeconservation.org/news/state-of-nature-2016.

I came away from the event with two thoughts. We continue to recognise and celebrate the incredible dedication, enthusiasm and expertise of the citizen scientists who are contributing so much to our understanding of the UK’s wildlife. Also, I would personally like to salute all our BeeWalkers - thank you.

Secondly, I thought about the legacy we will be leaving the next generation. It occurred to me that we can all have a lasting influence and be remembered

by family and friends for our commitment to nature and its protection. Legacy gifts contribute to our future conservation work - helping us protect our pollinators and their habitat for the wonder of future generations through bequests.

It is truly encouraging that our members are making gifts in their wills for our important work. With their legacy support, we can establish more habitat, protect more endangered species, help fund our monitoring programs and inspire people to care about nature and bumblebees, so they will still be there in the future. The most effective way to contribute to the future of nature is to make a gift in your will. For guidance and advice, visit www.bumblebeeconservation.org/support-us/legacies

Here at the Trust, our vision is of communities and countryside rich in bumblebees and colourful flowers, for everyone to enjoy. A future where our bumblebees are protected, explored and adored by us, our children, our grandchildren and for generations to come.

Thank you, Gill Perkins, CEO

2

Contents4. Alien invasions! Himalyan balsam

10. Bumblebees - flexible copycats

18. West Country Buzz project

3

The bumble blogInto the future with 2020 Group & Back from the Brink

In late 2013, the Trust and several organisations shared

their vision to work more closely together, given the parlous state of nature. The group agreed on six areas, one of which was ‘Big Projects’. And so a flagship initiative was ‘born’ - Back from the Brink.

The project is being developed in partnership with Natural England to tackle the well-evidenced decline in species and aims to save 20 species from extinction, one of which is our Shrill carder bee (Bombus slyvarum) and improve the fortunes of 118 more! It is recognised that such a group working together can provide hope and inspiration to others.

Pollinating the Peak ProjectPollinating the Peak is an exciting new project, currently in its development phase, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) focusing on the Peak District and Derbyshires’ wild pollinators, with a focus in particular on bumblebees, including the scarce, but iconic Bilberry bumblebee (Bombus monticola). And

what a busy start to the project this summer we have had! Our team has already attended ten events this summer, including the prestigious Chatsworth Country Fair. The team engaged with over 1,000 people about the importance of bumblebees – what a great way to start the project.

The project is currently in it’s development phase and aims to deliver an innovative education programme aimed at 11+ students with the design of a mobile Polli:lab. This facility will tour around local secondary schools and universities and engage the next generation of scientists! Visit www.bumblebeeconservation.org/about-us/our-projects.

Saving the sound of summer

Short-haired bumblebee reintroduction project

2016 marked the best year so far for recording Short-haired bumblebee (Bombus subterraneus) workers. The first worker was recorded in mid-August, foraging on sunflower and we then continued to record new workers on sunflowers, red clover and black horehound. We also re-recorded many workers throughout the next month until mid-September. Over 18 of our volunteers helped survey for workers on bumblebee blitz days, ad hoc surveys and transects. The analysis of the workers is currently being undertaken at the University of East Sussex by Professor Dave Goulson and Dr Tom Wood. This will inform us of how many colonies the workers came from. We are also analysing the genetics of all queens released and we will be able to establish whether the workers found this year are the direct descendants of this year’s release or from previous years’ releases. We should have the results by the end of the year.

Share your photos in Buzzword! Thank you to Wendy Irving for this super photo of a male, Red-tailed bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius).email: media@bumblebeeconservation.org

Your photo gallery

4

Himalayan Balsam – friend or foe?

imalayan balsam is very distinctive, with its tall stature and large display of sweetly scented bright pink flowers. It often forms

dense patches on disturbed ground, such as river banks. It may look innocent enough, but this is an alien invader!

Alien invaders are non-native species that have successfully spread outside of their native range. In our modern world of global travel, species are commonly transported over large distances (either accidentally or deliberately). Most don’t survive to colonise, being poorly adapted to their new environment. A few manage to thrive however, and persist in high numbers. These are invasive species.

As its name suggests, Himalayan balsam originates from the Himalayas. Since its introduction in 1839, it has steadily marched its way across the UK. It’s a fascinating plant, with an armoury of adaptations for survival. It is fast growing and produces numerous rewarding flowers which are very attractive to

Alien invasions!

bumblebees and other pollinators. The nectar replenishes itself at a rate far faster than any native plant, and vast quantities of white pollen douse every flower visitor, leaving them ghost-like. Perhaps most spectacular of all, are the explosive seed capsules that fire seeds in all directions. It’s little wonder that it’s so invasive.

Many flowering plants depend on animal pollinators to produce seeds. Alien invasive plants can disrupt this relationship. I researched into the relationship between Himalayan balsam and native plants. I found that, whenever Himalayan balsam was present, the number of foraging bumblebees increased. This shows just how attractive it is, as even if a single plant was present, bumblebees would seek it out. Good news for Himalayan balsam perhaps, but bad news for

H By Cathy Horsley, Conservation Officer South West

5

native plants – they received fewer bumblebee visits. Bumblebees preferred the invader’s rewarding flowers, meaning that Himalayan balsam consistently outcompeted native plants for pollinators.

So is Himalayan balsam a friend or foe? The flowers can provide valuable food for bumblebees. Indeed, Himalayan balsam flowers late into September or October when many of our native species are over. For our native plants though, it’s bad news. They can be outcompeted for both space and pollinators. Reduced native plant diversity in turn reduces the diversity of the pollinators that depend on them. These include short-tongued pollinators, such as solitary bees, that are

Twitter.com@BumblebeeTrust@BuzzingPeak

Instagram.comBumblebeeconservationtrust

Follow us on:

Facebook.comBumblebee-conservation-trust

unable to access Himalayan balsam’s deep nectar spur. A variety of plants is also necessary for a variety of pollen sources, rich in different proteins that are essential for bumblebee growth.

Despite its benefits to some bee species, Himalayan balsam is a destructive plant which needs to be kept under control and is currently listed under Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 with respect to England and Wales. As such, it is an offence to plant or otherwise allow this species to grow in the wild.

Clockwise, from left: Balsam flowers; Balsam stand; bumblebee flying away from Balsam;

bumblebee on Balsam; coldstream with Balsam; Balsam seed pod - images: Cathy Horsley.

6

Something for our younger generation

New books coming soon

The Voyage of the Queen Bee

This delightful book has been written by ecologist Tim

Gardiner who has recently branched out into poetry and

story writing and this is his first in the insect adventure

series. The illustrations are by Carl Mynott and are beautifully

illustrated to compliment this children’s book.

This first book in a series of children’s stories, tells the story of

Blossom the bumblebee and her quest to save the nest after the local Hay Rattle flowers have been destroyed by a mower.

The exciting journey takes her faraway from home and into the path of many dangers.

The books in the Insect Adventures Series are designed to appeal to children of ages 5 to 8 who are able to read alone or they can be read by parents at bedtime. The stories are split into easy to read chapters and introduce children to the lives of insects and how they adapt and survive in the wild.

The book is priced at £5.99 + p&p and will be available to order from December. Please visit the Merchandise page for further details on how to order at www.bumblebeeconservation.org

The Tale of the Shrill Carder bee family

This beautifully written and illustrated book, inspired by

‘Beatrix Potter’, tells the tale of Lizzy, a Queen Shrill Carder bee and her family’s life cycle.

Author and illustrator, Felicia Jones delights in her first of a series about endangered

bumblebee species, inspired by her childhood and the visual

memories of nature holding a special place in her heart.

She has drawn on her memory to create illustrations that are gently whimsical.

The book raises conservation issues and describes a time when England’s green and pleasant lands were full of colourful wild flower meadows and educates about issues such as habitat loss and the importance of wild flowers.

The book will be available to order from mid November, priced at £5.99 + p&p from

www.turquoisestagdesign.com. Cards are also available to buy.

The Bumblebee Conservation Trust will receive a donation of sales from each book sold towards the invaluable conservation work currently being undertaken.

7

Photos: Male White-tailed bumblebee (Bombus lucorum)

With autumn and winter approaching, this is a good time to decide what bee-friendly plants to grow for next year. British gardens cover more than one million acres and can be a lifeline for bumblebees. No matter what size your garden is, you can contribute to our efforts to save the sound of summer by providing lots of bee-friendly flowers. By bee-friendly, we mean flowers that are rich in pollen and nectar.

Spring flowersFlowering currant DicentraBluebell BugleLungwort BluebellCalifornia lilac MahoniaComfrey PierisPussy willow Crocus

Bee-friendly flowers

7

Early Summer flowersAllium Aquilegia BorageCampanula Catmint CotoneasterCranesbill Globe thistle Poppy Snapdragon Sweet pea ThymeViburnum Foxglove

Late Summer flowersBuddleia Cornflower CosmosEchinacea Honeysuckle LavenderLupin Marjoram NasturtiumSedum Verbena

Visit our Bee kind tool to discover how bee-friendly your garden is: beekind.bumblebeeconservation.org

8

As part of our annual Conservation and Science team field trip this year, we visited two farms in Pembrokeshire which are part of the Calon Wen Organic Dairy Cooperative. We discovered some lovely wildlife rich meadows and pastures, hedgerows and clover leys. We even saw some seals!

The purpose of our visits was to develop ideas for a new partnership project with Calon Wen which we are hoping will be submitted this autumn. The project will look at bumblebee friendly habitat management on Calon Wen organic dairy farms in Wales, and at the end of the project, we hope to produce some guidance. A key part of the project will be looking at how the bumblebee friendly measures work practically for the farmers and whether there are any impacts on the practical management of the farm and productivity.

Calon Wen the bees cheese!By Sinead Lynch, Conservation Officer, Wales

Red clover leys are used for silage on the farms, and are usually cut three times during the summer. Red clover is a ‘legume’ and is a very useful plant for dairy farmers because it is nutritious for cattle and benefits the soil. Other legumes such as Lucerne and Bird’s-foot trefoil are great additions to the ley mix as well. Agricultural varieties of these plants are usually used. These plants help to diversify the sward for the livestock and, like Red clover, have the added benefit of helping to reduce internal parasites in the livestock. More diverse grazing swards may also enhance milk production and product flavour (Source: MultiSward Report 2012 ‘Multi-species swards and multi scale strategies for multifunctional grassland-base ruminant production systems’).

“All these things sound fantastic – but what about the bumblebees?”, I hear you cry! Well, it just so happens that bumblebees love to forage on the legumes used in the ley mixtures.

Part of the project will involve looking at leaving strips uncut along Clover ley fields. Often these leys will only flower for one or two weeks before being cut, which means that bumblebees are left with peaks and troughs in forage resources available to them. By leaving

The Conservation and Science team with Calon Wen Farmer, Richard.

9

strips uncut along the field edge farmers can ensure that flowers are available for bumblebees to forage on after the silage is cut.

Another aspect of the project will look at flower-rich pasture, and how it might be possible to adjust the grazing on the farm to protect the best areas of habitat and allow them to flower in the summer.

With the guidance produced at the end of the project we hope to encourage more organic dairy farmers to add some bumblebee friendly features to their farms.

© Calon Wen

10

Bumblebees -flexible copycats

In their daily challenge to provide for their nests, bumblebees use floral characteristics like colour, scent, and shape to find nectar and pollen rewarding flowers. Because meadows and hedges are full of flowering plants, this task becomes more and more difficult. Some flowers provide more nectar, some are easier to land on, and others might have already been heavily exploited. Experienced bumblebee foragers use a strategy called majoring, where they only forage from a single plant species even if there are other plants right next to it.

But how do bees decide on that single species? One way is to randomly test different flowers and choose the one with the highest nectar reward, a process scientists call individual learning. Alternatively, bees can copy the flower choice of other bees, so-called social learning. Because other bees are also foraging for nectar and trying to maximise their efficiency they are a good indicator for rewarding flowers. However, they are also foraging, and therefore depleting

By Marco Smolla, final year PhD student University of Manchester

flowers and causing competition for nectar.

Are bumblebees able to take the additional competition into account and only use social learning where it pays off? This is what we tested in a recent experiment, where we presented bumblebees (Bombus terrestris) with artificial flowers in a flight arena. We equipped a small number of flowers with a social cue (bumblebee dummies, made of clay with matching colours and dimensions). Half of the flowers with dummies had nectar rewards the other half were empty. All remaining flowers where water-filled. Single bees were allowed to forage on these flowers repeatedly and over time learned to associate the bee dummy both with reward and with competition. By the end of this training all bees almost exclusively landed on flowers with dummies.

Two bumblebees feeding together on an artificial flower

11

Subsequently, the same bees were trained to visit an array of yellow flowers where either all flowers had a small amount of nectar (predictable world), or only a small number of flowers had a lot of nectar while all others were water-filled (unpredictable world). We let single bees forage repeatedly, so they could learn the association between the nectar distribution and the yellow flowers.

In the final experiment, we combined yellow flowers with the bee dummies from the first training. What we found is that bees landed on flowers with dummy cues only when they were trained in the unpredictable world. They did not show a preference for the flowers with dummies when trained in the predictable world. This means that bumblebees not only have the capacity to use social information, but also to assess whether using social information is actually paying off. In the unpredictable world the bees accept competition because they learned that there are a few highly rewarding flowers. In the predictable world they did not accept competition because they learned that all flowers only have small nectar rewards.

But, how social are our bee dummies? To test this we repeated the experiments and replaced the dummies with green craft-foam rectangles, which the bees learned well in the first training, but did not show a preference for in the final experiment. Thus, bees differentiate between mere environmental cues (craft-foam) and socially salient cues (dummies).

Our results help understand how animals decide to use social information, which is fundamental to cultural evolution, where information is transferred between

generations. Thus, understanding animal decision making will not only further our appreciation for these small creatures, but may also help us understand how traditions and culture evolved in humans too.

12

Helen King, Communications & Marketing OfficerI joined the Trust in 2015, having spent the best part of 20 years with a large organisation marketing, designing and providing comms support. When the opportunity arose to start something new, this was a role I could provide my skill set to, raise the profile of the amazing work the Trust undertakes and be part of something special. The role has reignited by enjoyment of photography, while dog walking my two setters and has become a ‘BeeWalk’ of my very own! I enjoy walking, swimming and spending time with my family. Of course, I am now constantly on the look out for bumblebees . . .

Suzanne Rex, Conservation & Volunteer JuniorI joined the Trust as an Office Assistant in February 2016, on my year out from the University of Stirling. As I returned to complete my final year of undergraduate studies in Ecology, I was delighted to hear that I am being retained as part-time Conservation & Volunteering Assistant! The role has provided fantastic work experience already, and I love that I learn new facts about bumblebees and other bees every day at work.

Suzanne

Introducing our Head Office team

Stirling and Eastleigh Head Office

Nigel Madge, Fundraising AssistantI have worked in the environmental sector for 28 years focusing on Fundraising and Business Development. My background is a degree in Geology and Environmental Pollution, together with practical conservation work. I joined the Trust in June 2016 and I am looking forward to using my expertise to help secure income for our projects and core costs. I also work as a Landscape Gardener part-time. In my spare time I enjoy reading, gardening, bee keeping and making delicious plum jam. Oh! then there is ‘Fudge’ the family’s Golden Retriever. Nigel

Dawn Ewing, Project Development ManagerI started working for the Trust as part of the Bees for Everyone team in 2011. Following my time at Uni, where I studied Business Management and Environmental Studies, I worked in consultancy and then for Cancer Research UK. I have loved nature from an early age, so coming to the Trust allowed me to combine my skills in a wonderfully exciting way. My current role involves me leading on fundraising for our new projects, and I really enjoy working with colleagues from across the Trust to design new activities to save more bumblebees. Dawn 2016Photo: Nick Owens, Moss carder

bee (Bombus muscorum)

Helen

13

Nigel

Laura Shakespeare, Fundraising OfficerI began working at the Trust back in July 2016 hoping to combine my knowledge of ecology and fundraising to benefit our little bumblebees. Previous to joining, I studied Biology, after which I wasn’t quite ready to enter the real world and went on to study for my Master’s in Marine Environmental Management. A little later, after a stint in beautiful Belize researching manatees, I volunteered locally in Hampshire both fundraising and undertaking practical conservation work. Working at the Trust as part of such an enthusiastic team has been wonderful, and I am blown away by both the love of bumblebees and generosity I see on a daily basis.

Jen McLean, AdministratorI have always had a passion for wildlife and my degree in Anthropology from the University of Aberdeen has given me insight into the way people perceive the world around them as well as different viewpoints on environmental issues. I became a retail manager, before going back to the University to work as an eLearning trainer, and joined the Trust in June 2014, when I decided I wanted to live closer to family. I also knew I wanted to work for a wildlife charity someday and I absolutely love being part of such a committed and hard-working team!

Laura

Sandra Hayashibara, Finance ManagerI started working for the Trust in October 2014 as Finance Officer and was promoted to Finance Manager in August 2016 and I bring years of Finance experience to the Trust. I was thrilled to have been given this opportunity to utilise my ACCA qualification fully. I very much enjoy working with such a fabulous team of people who are all so passionate about our cause. I love spending time with my family and friends, enjoy anything to do with nature and next year I hope to become a volunteer BeeWalker to brush up on my bumblebee ID skills.

Sandra

Jen

2016

Ciaran Matheson, Office AssistantHaving always had a keen interest in environmental issues, I jumped at the opportunity to join the Trust in February 2016. Working for the Trust has been rewarding and fun - I have enjoyed getting to know the team, gaining valuable experience and, of course, learning about bumblebees. I am currently in my final year of a Psychology degree at the University of Stirling, and my interests include drumming, hill-walking and cooking.

Ciaran

Helen

Claire Wales, Support Services OfficerI joined the Bumblebee Conservation Trust in June 2014. I could never have imagined I would end up working for the Trust, but my 20 years in banking, and customer service experience made me ideal for the role. I adore my job. My background is in biology having gained a degree in Marine Biology, right here at Stirling University, but I’m also a nature lover in general. I spend as much of my time as I can outdoors and mostly in the mountains, which certainly helps me in searching for my favourite bumblebee, the Bilberry bumblebee (Bombus monticola).

Claire

14

15

Are you passionate about bumblebees, wild pollinators and their habitats?

Do you have the skills and motivation to help us reverse the declining pollinator communities?

The Bumblebee Conservation Trust is looking for a new Trustee to join our Board and help lead the Trust’s work. The Trust is entering an exciting period of new strategic direction and you would help to achieve the Trust’s goals and to ensure that the charity is managed effectively.

You would need to commit the necessary time and to have both a strategic vision and an ability to provide independent judgement. You should be able to demonstrate excellent skills in scientific attainment, conservation practice and management, and/or entomological expertise.

The closing date for submitting your CV and self-nomination is 30 November 2016. Full details can be found at www.bumblebeeconservation.org/news/vacancies.

If you have further questions, or would simply like to speak to someone about the role of a Trustee, please email gill.perkins@bumblebeeconservation.org.

TRUSTEE VACANCY

When you join as a Life Member with the Trust, you will be pledging for life your support to the conservation of all bumblebees and a countryside rich in colourful flowers.

To recognise this contribution, you will receive an exclusive Life Member pin badge, designed by Amulette Jewellery, invitations to exclusive Trust events and a Life Member certificate signed by our CEO, Gill Perkins; not to mention your new welcome

Become a Life Member

To recognise this contribution, you will receive an exclusive Life Member pin badge designed by Amulette Jewellery.

pack including a bumblebee ID guide and a packet of bee-friendly flower seeds.

Join today to become a Life Member for a one-off payment of £500 and you’ll never need to think about renewing your membership with us again!

Join today by emailing membership@bumblebeeconservation.org or 01786 594130 or visit www.bumblebeeconservation.org

16

As this is the last Buzzword before Christmas, we thought we would share some bumblebee friendly gift ideas with you, that not only make wonderful presents but that also help to save the sound of summer. You can find out more on our website www.bumblebeeconservation.org/christmas-zone

Your Christmas gift guide

Pia jewellery is passionate about offering high quality and a diverse selection of jewellery. For every ‘save the bees save the world’ pendant that Pia jewellery sell, they will donate 10% to the Trust to help save the sound of summer!

www.piajewellery.com

Bold & Noble’s vision is to create beautifully-made screen prints people will love. Bee kind and discover which flowers will get your garden buzzing with this bee friendly print. At least 15% of retail profits from this print gets donated to us to help save the bees!

www.boldandnoble.com

Neals Yard Remedies have a passionate belief that beauty should be natural and are raising awareness in natural remedies. Bee Lovely…and help save the bees with their organic skincare range. Since launching in 2011, an amazing £60,000 has been raised for bee-friendly causes!

www.nealsyardremedies.com

Youngsies sell animal themed clothing for babies and toddlers. Their bee onesie is not only adorable, but also sends a donation to the Trust to help us and our precious pollinators. They come in sizes from 6 months to 2 years so your little one can buzz around all day!

www.youngsies.com

17

Have you ever met a skybear, Its body all a-fuzz? You will know one when you meet one, For the air will fill with buzz…

Join Freda on her adventure to find a colony of happy skybears. Along the way, meet Neil the friendly seal and why not spot the differences and find out lots of fun facts about bees? Personalised signed copies of Skybear are available at

www.merrynthomas.co.uk

Walton & Co are a wholesaler of home furnishings who draw their inspiration from a variety of commercial influences. All items from the fabulous Bee range are 100% cotton and 10% of sales go towards supporting the Trust. Give someone special a bee-autiful present this Christmas.

www.waltonsofyorkshire.co.uk

All of the clothing in our bumblebee range, designed by Rapanui, is made from extra soft organic cotton, and better yet proceeds go towards our vital conservation work. Treat a loved one to a buzzing present!

bumblebeeconservation.teemill.co.uk

Tickled Pink Fancy Dress have sourced the finest Unicorn animal onesies and they’re super soft! They come in a range of colours, feature a real horn and magical fluffy mane and tail. Worn as lounge wear or pyjamas, Tickled Pink will donate £1 for every onesie sold to the Bumblebee Conservation Trust.

www.tpfancydress.co.uk

And finally . . . if you are interested in giving your loved one a gift with a buzz, why not consider giving a gift of a membership? It’s the gift that gives all year and helps safeguard the future of bumblebees. Call us on 01786 594130 or visit:

www.bumblebeeconservation.org/support-us

18

West Country BuzzWhat is the West Country Buzz project?Well, it is one of our wonderful projects, in partnership with Natural England and local conservation NGO’s, hidden in the Devon countryside! The aim of the project is to support farmers and encourage them to adopt bee-friendly farming practices to help increase numbers of our hugely important wild pollinators on their farms and across the landscape. The project is funded by Natural England as part of DEFRA’s National Pollinator Strategy.

Cathy Horsley, our new West Country Buzz Conservation Officer, will be busy building links with farmers over the next few months, visiting farms, providing advice and promoting uptake of the Wild Pollinator and Farm Pollinator Package. What’s the Wild Pollinator and Farm Pollinator Package I hear you ask? It’s part of the Countryside Stewardship Scheme (which provides financial incentives for

landowners to look after the environment) and is a suite of options designed to benefit wild pollinators, farmland birds, and other wildlife. The package has been created to ensure that essential resources, such as food and shelter, are available all year round in the farmland landscape in order to support pollinators and other wildlife.Since the project began in March 2016, led by our previous Conservation Officer Aoife O’Rourke, West Country Buzz has advised on over 75 hectares of land, delivered two farm days and a workshop in partnership with Devon Wildlife Trust and the Campaign for the Farmed Environment. A total of 51 farmers attended these days. Cathy is organising a Wild Pollinator

workshop for next year which is aimed at other advisers who work with farmers and landowners in Devon so that they too can spread the word and promote bumblebee friendly farming.

Another aim of West Country Buzz is to increase our knowledge of bumblebee populations in Devon and to train local people to help us monitor them through submitting ad hoc records and walking a monthly bumblebee transect as part our national BeeWalk recording scheme. To this end, four bumblebee identification workshops have been delivered so far. Cathy plans to target key areas for surveys next year to help us get a better idea of bumblebee distribution in areas where we haven’t got many records, and where rare species may be present.

If you would like to find out more about West Country Buzz or want to get involved, please contact cathy.horsley@bumblebeeconservation.orgPhoto: Moss carder bee

(Bombus muscorum)

19

We will be holding a Members’ Day at the same time as our AGM and would be delighted if our members could join us in celebrating our 10th Anniversary! Our theme for this extra special Members’ day is Conservation and Gardening, which was decided as a result of feedback from the members who attended last year’s event.

Our guest speaker will be Kate MacRae (known as ‘Wildlife Kate’), who has appeared on BBC’s Springwatch and

Countryfile programmes. Kate will be talking about how to create a bumblebee-friendly garden and sharing her hints and tips.

We will be holding a raffle on the day, with prizes including artwork from notable artists; as well as amazing gifts contributed by our corporate and individual members.

Throughout the day you will be able to meet our team and ask questions, as well as hear all about our exciting new projects! We will also be revealing

AGM Announcement

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 10th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Bumblebee Conservation Trust will be held on Saturday 10 December 2016 at the London Wetland Centre.

Notice of the 10th Annual General Meeting & Members’ Day

our 10,000th member and presenting certificates to some exceptional volunteers.

For more details of the programme please go to our website: www.bumblebeeconservation.org/agm

How to book

Booking for this event is essential and the price to attend will be £17 for members and £20 for non-members/guests. The ticket price includes a buffet lunch. To book your place, please see the contact details below. Places are limited so book your place soon!

AGM voting

Voting will be conducted in advance of the AGM and you do not have to attend to cast your vote. You can either vote online when voting opens (you will receive an email with details), or please call us for a paper voting form. If you would like to propose any member resolutions or have any queries, please get in touch.

Contact detailswww.bumblebeeconservation.org/agm or call 01786 594 133.

20

Bumblebee Conservation Trust, Parkway House Business Centre, Eastleigh Works, Campbell Road, Eastleigh, Hampshire SO50 5AD.The Bumblebee Conservation Trust is a registered charity (England & Wales 1115634 / Scotland SC042830). Prin

ted

by B

aker

Goo

dchi

ld. N

ovem

ber 2

016.

BBC

T054

. Prin

ted

on 1

00%

recy

cled

pap

er. C

opyr

ight

201

6 ©

. All

right

s re

serv

ed.