Cosmic Gardening
BEEWATCH 2008

 

Beewatch 2008 urgently needs your help to map the distributions of bumblebees (even the common species). Please record what species you see in your garden, or when out for a walk.

For further information please click  here.

Below are two nesting boxes which will make a suitable habitat for these insects which perform an invaluable  service in the transference of pollen around the flowers and the garden.


You can make this one yourself - all you need is a flowerpot and a bit of tube or pipe more than 18mm in diameter.

Sink an upturned >20cm diameter flower pot into the ground. Put a slate/ tile over the drainage holes to keep out rain. Run a  hose or pipe underground to the pot, leaving a prominent entrance. Be sure to make drainage holes in the pipe.

Again, make a chicken-wire cradle for ventilation, and fill with a generous handful of nesting material.



Some bumblebee species nest above ground, and they occasionally use bird nesting boxes. Unlike birds, they never collect nesting material, so you`ll have to put some in the box for them. 

Any bird box would probably do, but you could try these excellent value “roosting pockets” £3 each and add a `hat` to keep the rain out. An alternative roofed design is also available - 10% of sales go to BBCT

Hang them somewhere shady and sheltered, perhaps in a hedge, 0.5 - 2m above the ground. Try to reduce the size of the entrance hole, otherwise birds will probably move in!


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