During the months of May and June this year, Alan Balfe and Darragh Hennessy have spent time doing various bee surveys at Tralee Bay Wetlands Ecology Park. Pollinators play a vital role in our economy and the success of our food chain. Ireland's most important pollinators are Bumblebees. As we monitor and do surveys we can identify the species that are in trouble and we can also detect early signs of threat to the wild bees and the services they provide to the Irish Pollination. As pollinators are under threat from pesticides, loss of habitat including wildflower meadows, invasive species and climate change.
Did you know that the National Biodiversity Data Centre have a free online resource by clicking here. It should be useful for all. It not only helps you get familiar with the common bumblebees, but it also explains how you can take part in the monitoring scheme, including how to log your route online and submit your monthly data.
If you would like to conduct your own bee surveys please click on the link here for more information.
The results recorded by Alan and Darragh are shown below in the table and will help us form a baseline for future studies.
Date recorded - 16th May 2024
| Latin Name | Common Name | Species Count |
| Bombus lucorum | White Tailed Bumblebee | 1 |
| Bombus pascorum | Common Carder | 13 |
| Bombus pratorum | Early Bumblebee | 1 |
Date recorded - 19th June 2024
| Latin Name | Common Name | Species Count |
| Bombus lucorum | White Tailed Bumblebee | 26 |
| Bombus pascorum | Common Carder | 5 |
| Bombus pratorum | Early Bumblebee | 5 |
Date recorded - 21st June 2024
| Latin Name | Common Name | Species Count |
| Bombus lucorum | White Tailed Bumblebee | 17 |
| Bombus pascorum | Common Carder | 5 |
| Bombus pratorum | Early Bumblebee | 3 |
Recorded by Alan Balfe and Darragh Hennessy
