Pinery Bumblebee Citizen Science:
A friend and I took a Bumble Bee Citizen Science Course at Pinery Provincial Park on June 24th. We look forward to doing some surveys this summer that will provide biologists with data on species of concern as well as healthy Bumble Bee populations.
After an educational session indoors on Bumblebee identification and importance, we headed outside to see what we could find. Sarah MacKell, Lead Biologist, Native Pollinator Initiative with Wildlife Preservation Canada explains protocols for the Data Sheet used in the field.
Sarah demonstrates catching Bumblebees without being stung!
Skies were gray and few flowers were blooming on the day of the course, so we practiced catching any insects we could find with nets and transferring them into the vials.
A bumble bee captured in a vial.
Vials were placed in a cooler pack. Once the bees slowed down from the reduced temperatures, they were easier to identify and photograph from different angles. After examination, they were released at the same location from which they were captured.
Lunch and a delicious cake were enjoyed!
For more information contact: wildlifepreservation.ca
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