The last Beewalk of the year capturing data for the Bumblebee count 2024. After 8 months gathering data and submitting it to the Bumblebee Conservation Trust we will be eagerly awaiting the national results. Early indications show that this year was not good at all for bumblebees, an indicator species for the state of our wildlife. The good news...we can all do things to help improve the situation starting today. Visit the Trust's website for details.

Another session removing plastic tree guards from 100s of now established trees. Less plastic litter, more tree health, win win!

How do you know when a tree is struggling to develop and show its true natural beauty? The answer becomes obvious when you remove a plastic tree-sleeve from its now caged and larger tree. The damage caused by the plastic is obvious but with the sleeves removed these trees now have a chance to fully develop in their own way. One tree would be great but a team of local volunteers removed hundreds. Stirling work on a lovely morning. Can’t wait to see this nature thrive.

Two sacks of rubbish bagged and reported for collection. One hour of plogging and 5000 steps! Items included; a pair of pink handled scissors, lots of sweet wrappers, glass and plastic bottles and cans, and a trail of paper straw wrappers and sugar sachets leading away from macdonalds...

There’s no finer way to spend an hour than to walk a BeeWalk searching for our countryside’s most needed bumblebees. Walking the Cymbeline transect I spotted just 3 bees! The conservation trust’s data from across the country shows the decline is widespread, ranging from 40% to 80% lost this year. The weather has been bad for bumblebees, that’s less to tackle, but restoring habitat is easy and cheap. Maybe a task for Goodgym

A great Beewalk today, counting bumblebees for the Bumblebee Conservation Trust. Anyone can create a route (needs to be approx 1k) and count bees between March and October to contribute to this vital data gathering project. More details at www.beewalk.org.uk. Today, Andy and Jo's eagle eyes helped us to spot an abundance of bumblebees - some busy, some less so! Huge thanks to everyone for supporting Colchester's local wildlife and capturing the all important numbers.

photo of Tree bumblebee (bombus hypnorum) supplied by Stuart.

Five goodgymers headed out in the darkening twilight to make Colchester a bit cleaner. Five bags of rubbish collected including a very wet shoe!

Hoping our litterpicking efforts encourage a tidier population!

Well done goodgymers, our first session in our new community led format. It's a team effort, come join us!