Blackheath is home to a wide range of solitary bees and wasps. Whilst not an expert in the field Society Member Dusty Gedge has been learning how to identify and watching/photographing various species over the last 12 years. In fact in 2014 he photographed one bee that was later found to be the firsts ever record of a new bee species for the UK - Osmia cornuta the Orchard Mason bee which is found on the Western side of the heath and probably elsewhere.

This is not an ‘expert’ talk but one aimed at the amateur to raise awareness and encourage members to look out for solitary bees and wasps in their own gardens and on the heath. Whilst the main bee and wasp season is over the talk falls at the time another relatively new species of bee for the UK is out and about - the Ivy mining bee, which again is very active on Blackheath. There will be a Q&A session at the end.

Members will be invited to join the meeting through the weekly email.