Bee safari review

Saturday afternoon saw an intrepid & elite group of wildlife stalkers do battle with heat and flies as they traipsed through Scarcroft allotments on a quest to discover more about the local bee population. Alison Reboul of the Bumblebee Conservation Trust courageously led the troup on the safari pointing out nest sites and identifying different types of bumblebee along the way. Unlike the honey bee, the greatest threat to a bumblebee's survival is the loss of habitat. It was therefore of particular interest which flowers were the most beneficial and what sort of conditions encourage nesting. 

The afternoon proved to be really interesting and informative, as well as a great way to relax and take time out from all the other allotment jobs. To round off the afternoon, there was a choice of four different types of honey cake and biscuits, all washed down with home made redcurrant syrup!

For more information on the Bumblebee Conservation Trust please see the following link: http://bumblebeeconservation.org/

Identifying a bumblebee 

Honey bees on borage

Honey bee hive
(apparently full of honey!)

Bumblebee on roses

Bumblebees on lavender

Cycle stands!

Four new cycle stands have been installed by volunteers on the Scarcroft allotment site... and they look great! 

There has long been a desperate need for this provision, with cycles being locked to bits of fencing, drain pipes, gates etc. Happily cyclists can now confidently secure their bikes whilst visiting their plots or the allotment shop. The stands are spaced to accommodate panniers and trailers and it is hoped that they will encourage even more people to cycle to Scarcroft.

On the occasions when you do need to bring a vehicle to the site then there are still 6 generous parking spaces for cars and vans.

Wildlife Event

Well, this hot weather is certainly producing some very fragrant flowers in the allotment and garden. So what better time is there to do a spot of bumble and honey bee investigating? 

... And whilst we're talking wildlife, what about checking out some pond life too? Dragon and Mayflies, pond skaters, newts, water snails... 

Come along to Scarcroft Allotment's shop on Saturday 20th July at 3.30pm to wander the site with Sara Robin of the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and Bumblebee Conservation Trust volunteer, Alison Reboul. Finish the afternoon off relaxing in the sun with a cup of tea and honey cake on the green triangle. 

(All contributions of cake and biscuits gratefully received)

Surveying buried remains!

Here is a great opportunity to help discover what exactly is below the turf of the green triangle at Scarcroft allotments.

We walk and barrow over it, picnic upon it, meet at it, are entertained upon it, cycle through it, play music upon it, sit in its sunshine...

...But has it always been used this way?

Hannah Baxter of YAT and its Plotting the Past project is returning to Scarcroft to conduct a geophysical survey of the green triangle. If you're interested in being involved with this event just turn up: 

Friday 16th August 10am - 4pm