Bumblebee Blitz

Learn how to capture, cold stun, and identify bumblebee species that live on the Fields Pond Audubon Sanctuary. Participants will assist Maine Audubon staff in conducting surveys of bumblebees, the only social native bees in North America. You’ll receive training on identifying the common (and some uncommon) species of bumblebee in Maine, and the plants that they use for shelter and foraging. We will also be leading people in capturing bumblebees with butterfly nets, and cooling them down. This causes the bees to enter a temporary state of decreased activity, for easier identification and photography. Join us for a fun day in the field, with the chance to contribute valuable data to statewide community science projects!