Irish Bee Identification Workshop

Irish Bee Identification Workshop

Join us for an exciting workshop where we will discover the fascinating world of Irish bee fauna and learn how to identify many of the different species found in Ireland. Whether you're a beginner or an intermediate bee enthusiast, this workshop is perfect for anyone curious about these amazing insects for the first time or, indeed, to further their knowledge and meet up with other enthusiasts.

Workshop Structure

This workshop will take place over two consecutive days, the first being a 3-hour online session with a field outing and lab microscope work the following day.

Day 1

Date: Saturday, May 18, 2024

Time: 15:00 - 18:00

Location: Online - An introduction to Irish bee fauna and bee anatomy

Activity: An introduction to Irish bee fauna and bee anatomy

Day 2

Date: Sunday, May 19, 2024

Time: 09:30 - 16:30

Location: Baltyboys House Estate, Blessington, West Wicklow

Activity: Field outing (catching and identifying) & Lab Identification with Microscopes (and optional pinning demo)

(Image above: a sample key with microscopic photos of specimens)

Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity to learn about and get up close and personal with the wonderful variety of Irish bees.

Course Leader

The course will be led by Brian Murray (Bees & Wasps of Ireland)

For the past number of years I have been recording bees, wasps, and other insects in my own locality (West Wicklow) and, of course, wherever I travel around the country. My main aim is to record bees and wasps in my area for future use by scientists and other interested parties and, at the same time, to encourage citizen scientists in the same endeavours. I believe that the current emphasis on pollinators and pollinator protection means that bees are the perfect and easily accessible gateway into insect recording.

I set up the Bees of Ireland Twitter account in 2021 as a means to share my exploits and to engage with like-minded people around the country and, indeed, the world.

A very important section (please read)

Bees, while extremely beautiful, are wild fauna and their behaviour can neither be pre-determined nor relied upon. We are all aware that certain people are allergic to stings from these insects, and in rare cases, it can result in anaphylaxis. Please do not partake in handling bees or wasps if you are liable to be harmed in this way. If you require an epi-pen, please bring it with you and inform the organiser before the workshop.

In addition, some areas of the estate where bees will be found comprise of rough terrain, and if this is not suitable for your fitness level, you should refrain from venturing into or onto these areas over the course of the fieldwork.

All participants will be required to sign a waiver, releasing the organiser from any liability for injuries of any kind sustained during the course of the workshop.

Other important information

Book

The book A Field Guide to the Bees of Great Britain and Ireland is highly recommended (but not essential) for the identification section of the course. A limited number are available to buy as an add-on to this course.

Day 2 Essentials

For the second day, you must bring the following with you:

• Food and drink (Tea/Coffee will be made available)
• Suitable clothing for hiking and for the weather
• Sun cream (we live in hope)
• Insect repellent (as ironic as that sounds)
• Any bee specimens you might like to identify at the course (please reach out before doing this so we can inform you how to prepare them)
• Any photos of bees you might like help identifying (it's not always possible with photos, but we can try)
• A butterfly net, if you have one (there will be some spare nets for the course)
• A microscope (again, if you have one)