Beewalks - March to October only - approx 2 to 3km walk length

Hello, welcome to a brand new "fair weather" walking group which is focused on surveying for Bumblebees, but will observe other pollinators along the way. Bumblebees are very temperature sensitive so there is no point surveying on cold and wet days. Heavy rain would result in a specific walk having its date moved. Members will be taught initially how to identify Queens of the common species and as the colonies form the workers and males. Later depending on opportunity the Group Leader will then teach about the rarer bumblebees that live on the North Kent coast. 

The Group Leader is a volunteer for the Bumblebee Conservation Trust and as such undertakes beewalks at Riverside Country Park (2), Queensdown Warren, Elmley Nature Reserve and north of Upchurch. 

The group meeting at 2pm at Riverside Country Park outside the Visitors Centre on the third Thursday of the month. Due to interest from members that cannot attend the third Thursday each month another option of the second Thursday of the month meeting at Riverside at the Motney Hill car park at 2pm has been opened up. The Group Leader will provide practical guidance on how to observe bumblebees, net, pot and release them safely. The Group Leader will also encourage those that wish to take photos to do so.

All are welcome, but stout walking shoes are required and long trousers as we will be walking in long grass that could be clumpy.