North East Bee Hunt
18,470
Bee Sightings Shared
Over 380
Recorders Taking Part
105
Bee Species Spotted
Join the North East Bee Hunt
Bees play an important role in the environment. To protect them, we need to know where they are and how they’re doing. We need your help to record bees across the North East.
Many species are under-recorded in the North East. Your observations hold the key to revealing the mysteries surrounding bees across the region, from the Tees to the Tweed.
Urban or rural, beginner or expert, by taking part in the North East Bee Hunt, you’ll not only increase knowledge and understanding of these amazing insects but also help protect bees for years to come. To join in, simply:
- Spot a bee
- Take a photo
- Share your sighting on iRecord, iNaturalist, through our website, or by email at nhsn@ncl.ac.uk
- Share your finds on social media using #NorthEastBeeHunt
Bees to Spot in March
With queen bumblebees on the move, March is the perfect time to spot some of our earliest bee species.
Take Part on iRecord
From bumblebees to mining bees, sightings of all bee species are welcome.
Listening to your feedback, we’ve now made it simpler than ever before to take part. Simply join the activity below, and any record shared through iRecord or the app will be counted.
If you have an iRecord account, you can add the Bee Hunt to your Activities by joining here and clicking on the blue ‘Join’ button.
Take Part on iNaturalist
The North East Bee Hunt is also on iNaturalist.
To join in, simply visit the project page below and click join. Any bee sightings you share will automatically be counted.
Please also provide an image alongside your sighting – this helps experts confirm and verify your finds.
Share Sightings Direct with NHSN
If you would like to share a one-off sighting, you can now share records directly with NHSN.
When submitting a sighting, please ensure that all fields are completed.
Please also provide an image alongside your sighting – this helps experts confirm and verify your finds.
Meet our Spotlight Species
From the bumblebee-like Fork-tailed Flower Bee to the striking Red-tailed Cuckoo Bee, our spotlight species are likely to be encountered in gardens and green spaces close to home.
In a series of species profiles, meet the North East Bee Hunt spotlight species and find out how to identify them below.
Help Identifying Bees
From bumblebees to mining bees, the North East Bee Hunt welcomes records of all wild bee species.
Explore a range of online and printed bee resources to help you identify your finds.
If you’re unsure which bee you’ve seen, you can also email us at nhsn@ncl.ac.uk or contact us on social media using #NorthEastBeeHunt.
New to iRecord?›
iRecord is a national platform collating the observations and records of citizen scientists across the country. It helps your records get to where they need to be – informing conservation and research locally and nationwide.
New to iRecord? Here’s what you need to know to get started.
More on North East Bees
Delve into the world of bees and explore a range of helpful articles compiled by bee enthusiasts across the North East.