A Citizen Science Project Exploring Bee Biodiversity in Northern Colorado
Native Bee Watch Newsletter #18
Welcome to the Native Bee Watch Newsletter! This newsletter provides the current buzz on bee monitoring, tips for best practice observing, and other fun, educational resources. Enjoy! 
Quiz: What Kind of Bees? 
(Left photo) Citizen scientists, Kathy and Lori, were bee monitoring at Nix Farm and captured this photo of a bee on a sunflower. 

(Right photo) Citizen scientists, Kandice and Cassie, captured this photo at the Trial Gardens. 

Quiz questions: To which category does  these bees belong to? 


The answers will be provided in the next newsletter.  Great photos! All volunteers can email photos to Lisa.Mason@Colostate.edu! 
Bee Monitoring Schedule  - Week of July 17th

Four open slots available for volunteers this week! See below.

Wednesday, July 19th - Gardens at Spring Creek
  • Carole H.
  • Harry R.
  • Nicole D. 
  • Aja M. 

Friday, July 21st - Nix Farm
  • Diana D.
  • Greta D.
  • OPEN SPOT FOR VOLUNTEER
  • OPEN SPOT FOR VOLUNTEER

Saturday, July 22nd - Trial Gardens
  • Suzy D.
  • Jianjing Y. 
  • Sara W.
  • Cassie M.


Additional Citizen Science Leader Sessions


Tuesday, July 18th - Nix Farm

  • Lori N. (Citizen Science Leader)
  • OPEN SPOT FOR VOLUNTEER


Thursday, July 20th - Nix Farm

  • Lori N. (Citizen Science Leader)
  • OPEN SPOT FOR VOLUNTEER


We have extra spaces left for a volunteer to sign up this week! Email Lisa if you are available at Lisa.Mason@colostate.edu
Volunteers (top) at the Gardens on Spring Creek and an Anthidium sp. of bee that falls into the hairy belly bee group (bottom). Photos: Lisa Mason
More Citizen Science Sessions Available! 

Need to sign up for monitoring sessions?  Click here to look at the calendar.

Please email Lisa with the dates you would like to monitor. 

If you monitored bees last summer, you can add additional monitoring sessions to the calendar. Just let Lisa know the day and the garden. 

Bee of the Week -  Carpenter Bees

Family - Apidae

Genus - Xylocopa sp.   

Although this bee does not occur in Colorado, the carpenter bee is an interesting bee to learn about! They are large, dark-colored bees that often nest in wood where they chew huge holes to make nests for their young. Around the world, 500 species are known but only 10 species are found in the United States and Canada. They’re generalists meaning they will forage on a variety of flowers but, like many generalist bees, they will consistently visit the same type of flowers in succession. Their nests, called galleries, are typically in dead wood or plant stems like reeds or bamboo. They are often considered a nuisance in other parts of the country because they nest in the wood of houses and infrastructure. 

Plant of the Week - Remembrance® Columbine

Scientific name: Aquilegia 'Swan Violet & White'

The Remembrance ® Columbine is a hybrid derived from the Colorado state flower. The petals and spurs are a beautiful violet-blue color. The name honors the memory of the students and teachers of Columbine High School. Proceeds from purchasing this flower from Plant Select® will benefit organizations that promote diversity and tolerance in schools. Experts at Plant Select® recommend removing the spent flowers (already pollinated) in late June to encourage longer blooming. Foliage will often decline in mid-summer so cutting it back to the ground will allow it to regrow for fall. The plant usually grows 18-24 inches tall, needs partial sun and a moderate amount of water. Click here for more information.

Source and photo: Plant Select®
What's the Buzz? Pollinators in the News

Unlocking the Secrets Behind the Hummingbird's Frenzy.  Hummingbirds are important pollinators! Learn more about some recent research on how hummingbirds do what they do. 

Goal! Bees can learn ball skills from watching each other, study finds. Bees are better at problem solving than previously thought! 
Photo: Micaela Truslove
A hairy leg bee at the Gardens on Spring Creek in early July, 2017. Photo: Lisa Mason
Native Bee Watch: A Citizen Science Project Exploring Bee Biodiversity in Northern Colorado

Website: nativebeewatch.wordpress.com     Contact: Lisa Mason at Lisa.Mason@ColoState.edu