BeeWalk Surveys ~ from the Bumblebee Conservation Trust (BCT)

Citizen science is scientific research conducted, in whole or in part, by people interested in a subject and amateur scientists.  Citizen science is a fantastic way of helping advance scientific research by improving the scientific communities capacity, as well as increasing your own knowledge and understanding.

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BeeWalk is a national recording scheme run by the Bumblebee Conservation Trust to monitor the abundance of Bumblebees on transects across the country.  These transects would be impossible without volunteers, who identify and count the Bumblebees they see on a monthly walk along a set route from March to October. 

Anyone can become a "BeeWalker" – all you need is some basic identification knowledge and a spare few hours every month to walk a fixed route of about a mile (you choose where it goes), and submit your sightings.

This may not be a suitable activity for those just visiting Scilly due to the repetition required to be a "BeeWalker"; but don't let that stop you!  Why not get involved in your home area?

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To record bees (and other wildlife) on the go on a more ad hoc basis, why not download the iRecord App or visit the iRecord page. If possible include a photo of the bee/other wildlife that you have seen to allow the iRecord experts to verify your sighting.

Alternatively, if you have a photo but are unable to identify the bumblebee species, you can try uploading the picture to iSpot or the UK Bees, Wasps and Ants Facebook page where experts can help with your ID.

It can be quite tricky to identify a species from a photograph so the BumbleBee Conservation Trust have produced some handy hints and tips on how best to get useful images for ID purposes. 

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Do remember that we rely on donations to continue our work.  If you have searched, found and learned about Scilly's wildlife on our website, or found an activity which you've enjoyed, please Support Us and give what you can.  Thank you 💚

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