Category Archives: Bees

Hairy-legged Mining Bee (Dasypoda hirtipes) – Bursted decline but second colony found

A nest count for the Hairy-legged Mining Bee (Dasypoda hirtipes), uncommon in London, made by Bursted Woods this year, suggests a decline in numbers. The colony, which has been the only one known in Bexley, appears from an old photograph … Continue reading

Posted in Barnehurst, Bees, Bexley, Bursted Woods | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Planting wildflower seed

Advice from Gill Watson from Landlife Wildflowers Gill demonstrates the very best way to sow your wild flower seed in this ‘how to’ YouTube video. A Question & Answer session follows the demonstration.

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Ivy Bee (Colletes hederae) confirmed in Bexley – King George’s Rec., Lamorbey, Burnt Oak Lane

The Ivy Bee (Colletes hederae), identified as a new species as recently as 1993, and new to Britain in 2001  – initially in Dorset and Devon – was found in three locations around Sidcup on October 9th by Chris Rose. … Continue reading

Posted in Bees, Recording | 1 Comment

Old Farm Park wildlife photos

John Adams from the group campaigning to stop Bexley Council selling of half of Old Farm Park in Sidcup for housing has provided us with these photographs of wildlife from the site, three of which remind us of the value … Continue reading

Posted in Bees, Bexley Council, Butterflies, development threat, Land sales, Old Farm Park, Parks, Ring-necked Parakeet, Save Our Green Spaces Campaign | Leave a comment

Professor to give ‘Saving Bumblebees’ talk

The Ruxley Beekeepers group has lined up Dave Goulson, Professor of Biology at Sussex University, to give a talk on ‘SAVING OUR BUMBLEBEES’ in Orpington on 12th September. Professor Goulson founded the Bumblebee Conservation Trust and has published a number of best selling … Continue reading

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Woodlands Farm summer wildlife events announced

Woodlands Farm on Shooter’s Hill is running a number of wildlife survey events this summer. Ffi/to get involved please contact:   “Hannah Forshaw – Education Officer” <education@thewoodlandsfarmtrust.org> Sunday 7th June – Pollinator survey.  This will be done before, during and … Continue reading

Posted in Bats, Bees, Butterflies, Dragonflies and Damselflies, Education, Plants in Bexley, Recording, Reptiles and Amphibians, Welling, Woodlands Farm | Leave a comment

Rare Shrill Carder Bee continues to covet Crossness

Hot news from Crossness Nature Reserve Site manager Karen Sutton, who reports that the rare ‘poster species’ of ‘Thames Gateway’/brownfield sites, the Shrill Carder bee, has once again been found at the site. This is why every opportunity should be … Continue reading

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Bee aware of Hairy-legged Miners and Barnehurst Beewolfs

Ever wondered about those hundreds of little piles of sand that appear along the Erith Road margin of Bursted Woods, by the bus stop, every summer? Well, they’re back once again, and they’re the uncommon London species Hairy-legged Mining Bee … Continue reading

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Bexley flight of the (Tree) Bumblebee sets Beekeepers’ phones buzzing

David Rea, Chairman, Sidcup Beekeepers. The second half of May 2014 has seen a spectacular explosion of activity by the Tree Bumblebee (Bombus hypnorum) in southern England. This strikingly pretty bee is common in Europe but is a new arrival … Continue reading

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Bumblebees out early

David Rea of Ruxley Beekeepers reports that he and a colleague were called to a primary school where a colony of buff tail bumbles is in full operation, in a flower bed right in the middle of the reception class playground. … Continue reading

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