27 July 2014 – Bees, Bees and More Bees in Baynton!

Posted on 21 July, 2014 by Connecting Country

Honey bees are a great source of fascination for most people. And the more you know about them, the more fascinating they become. But what about those other bees in our local environment: the native bees that have been here since long before honey bees arrived some 180 years ago?

Beekeepers use smoke to quieten honey bees before working on the hive.

Most of us know next to nothing about our native bees: how many varieties are there, what they look like, what they feed on, where they nest, whether they are solitary or colony-forming and whether or not they sting.

On Sunday 27th July, 2.00pm to 4.30 pm, Baynton Sidonia Landcare group is offering an afternoon of information about Bees – both European Honey Bees and Native Bees.

There will be two presenters. Local apiarist, Graham Connell of Langley, will be outlining the life of Honey Bees and the current threats to their future. “Honey bees are extraordinary creatures with very complex lives. They contribute enormously to the production of our food through pollination but are under serious threat at the moment. At this seminar we will discuss some of the ways people can help them to survive.”

Lea Hannah of Rijk Zwaan, near Daylesford, is the other presenter and she will be sharing information about native bees: their role in pollination and how we as landholders can become more familiar with them and the way they live.

The venue is the Baynton Hall, Darlington Road, Baynton and all are welcome, including children, but registration by Friday 25th July is essential by phoning Clare on 54 234 152 or email clare@knco.net. Afternoon tea will be served between the two presentations to allow participants to stretch their legs and prepare for yet more fascinating information.

The afternoon is part funded by the Kyneton Woodland Project, but a gold coin donation will be sought to help the Landcare group cover costs.

Click here to download a flyer