Model citizen in Highlands laucnhes bid to save the bumblebee
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A HIGHLAND-based model and riding school owner is on a mission to help save the declining populations of bumblebees.
Natalie Oag is the Highland representative of animal rights organisation People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) and has launched a campaign to help protect and grow awareness of how important the bumblebee is and how we can help save them and rebuild their numbers.
"Ever since I was a little girl I loved to spend time in my childhood garden full of wild flowers, raspberries and blackberries," she said.
"I waited with bated breath to catch a glimpse of the bumblebee with his black and gold stripes, translucent wings that give off that magical buzz and not forgetting that signature furry body. This little creature has given me many years of delight by just being in his company."
Ms Oag, who is based in Lyth, in Caithness, laments the declining population of bumblebees which includes the great yellow bumblebee – Caithness being one of the last places in the UK where it can be found.
"Bumblebees can travel miles in search of pollen. Seven miles for a bee is equal to a human circumnavigation of the world 10 times. Bees have to feed every 40 minutes or they will become weak or die."
She said that if you come across a "lazy bee" it may just need a little sustenance so it can continue on its travels.
"If you find a tired bee in your home please give him a pep up with a sugar and water mix on a spoon. Simply mix two tablespoons of white granulated sugar with one tablespoon of water and place on a spoon for the bee to reach. You can also help by sharing this information to raise awareness."
There are other ways to help bumblebees too such as creating a shelter for them, she says. "Leave old bird nesting boxes or bird nests in place for bumblebees to move into. You can also make bumblebee nesting boxes with wood. A bumblebee nesting box is very similar in construction to a bird nesting box."
Different flowers and shrubs that are full of nectar and pollen will also help give them a rich feeding ground throughout the year.
"Crocus, hyacinth, borage, calendula, and wild lilac provide enticing spring blooms in a bee garden. Bees also feast on bee balm, cosmos, echinacea, snapdragons, foxglove, and hosta in the summer. In the autumn, zinnias, sedum, asters, witch hazel and goldenrod are late bloomers that will tempt them as well."
She says that if we could all do our bit to help tempt this "little furry friend" buzz back into our gardens and parks it may help in the rapid decline of the species.
"In the last 80 years the UK bumblebee population have crashed and two species have become extinct. Hopefully, we can all do something to help these wonderful creatures."
