insideKENT Magazine Issue 26 - May 2014 | Page 135

Events Earn your stripes and get involved in one of these Kentbased bee-friendly events this summer. Bumblebee Walk and Talk // 21 June Moss Carder Bee of thumb, you should aim for at least two kinds of bee-friendly plant for each flowering period. For late-emerging species like the Shrill carder bee, it is also important to have plants which flower into October. To find out how bee-friendly your garden is, try the Bee Kind tool on the BBCT website, which will give you a score on the flowers already in your garden and advice on what else to plant. www.beekind.bumblebeeconservation.org Guided Bumblebee Walk // 30 July Kent Wildlife Trust's Wild about Gardens scheme runs this walk and talk event, with an award for the Garden with the Best Buzz sponsored by BBCT. The closing date is Monday 30th June. Entry is free to anyone who has a garden in Kent, including private householders, schools and community groups. For copies of the entry form, call 01622 662012. 11am-2pm. 21 June – Mote Park, Mote Ave, Maidstone ME15 7SU 30 July – Rare Breeds Centre, Woodchurch, Ashford TN26 3RJ (suitable for children) Meet at the Parish Hall, Green Porch Close, Milton. To book, please contact the Milton Creek Ranger on 01795 417389 or email [email protected]. 10.30am-12.30pm. Milton Creek Country Park, Grovehurst Rd, Sittingbourne ME10 2EX Beginners Bumblebee Identification Course // 19 July Learn how to identify our most common and rarest species and practise your skills in the field. Kent Wildlife Trust, Tyland Barn, Sandling, Maidstone ME14 3BD Burham Down Local Nature Reserve, Common Road, Bluebell Hill, Maidstone ME20 7EZ 135 Kent Wildlife Trust Intermediate Bumblebee Identification Course // 1 August An identification day that will focus on all of the bumblebee species in Britain, including an update on the Short-haired bumblebee reintroduction project. Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve, Bradbourne Vale Road, Sevenoaks TN13 3DH