This 2-day workshop will introduce participants to the identification and ecology of solitary bees, including their lifecycle, nesting and foraging requirements, and associated predators and parasites. We will also explore the conservation importance of solitary bees, the threats facing these species, and the importance of biological recording.

The workshop will be a mix of indoor and outdoor sessions - identifying bees under the microscope in the lab, and finding and identifying bees outside nearby. We'll be looking at grassland, meadow and scrub around campus.

Please bring your troublesome specimens.

Our Tutor: Liam Olds is a freelance entomologist specialising in solitary bees and brownfield habitats. Starting his journey in the profession as an entomology apprentice at the National Museum of Wales, he has quickly developed a reputation as a budding expert. Liam has won several local and national awards for his work with invertebrates, including the 'Adult Newcomer Award' at the NBN Awards for Wildlife Recording in 2017. Liam also works as Conservation Officer for Buglife - The Invertebrate Conservation Trust, delivering invertebrate surveys and training across England and Wales.

Lunch is not provided but food can be purchased from nearby campus shops.

This a joint-funded workshop by Edge Hill University and Tanyptera Trust

Suggested covid measures:

- wear a face covering when moving around in a shared indoor space

- maintain social distancing

- clean/sanitise their hands regularly

Access: accessible for wheelchair users

Adults only (18+)

Further details will be provided a week before the event.