Let’s help the bees!

The challenge is to undertake at least 24 minutes of physical activity a day. So – I am not only helping the bees, but also trying to get a little bit fitter and healthier in the process. So far, I have managed many brisk walks around Tayport, with an occasional spot of hiking, cayaking, dancing, and cycling. So that you don’t think I am taking it too easy, I also threw in running for “From couch to 5K” training into the mix.

It’s been really good to have an extra push to do some exercise every day – it’s all too easy to talk yourself out of it on those busy days when time slips through your fingers too fast! Taking time to be outside, and watching Spring taking hold around me has really helped me clear my head and destress…

My favourite #beeactive24 moment so far has been a hike in remote Ardnamurchan, taking in hazel woods, an ancient volcano caldera covered in heath and bog, and a white-sanded Sanna beach. The weather was perfect and the landscape was stunning but what’s made it extra special is spotting over 10 Green Hairstreak butterflies, alongside the occasional fast-flying bumble.

The second favourite – my weekly cycle into work at St Andrews which takes me through Tentsmuir forest, bumping into squirrels, deer – as well as bees and butterflies, on the way. It takes an hour and a half each way but it’s well worth it (provided there is no wind!).

What’s kept me going more than anything is the generous support from folk at Tayport Community Garden, which raised an amazing £40 so far! There is still time if you’d like to throw a couple of your pennies in the ring – you can either pop by the Garden during our open sessions on Sunday, Monday or Wednesday to donate in person or you can use my JustGiving page here.

Why 24 minutes, you ask? It is to represent 24 different species of bumblebee which live in the UK (25 species if you include the Short-Haired Bumblebee the Trust is trying to re-introduce). Sadly, all our bumblebees are in decline due to habitat loss, and three species have been driven to extinction in the UK since 1940. The Trust does some crucial work to help raise awareness as well as carry out practical conservation on the ground. The benefits go beyond bumblebees to other pollinators as well as the lovely plants that feed them!

If you would like to find out more about our bumblebees and other pollinators here in Tayport, and how to help them out in your own backyard, join me for a monthly BeeWalk at PLANT’s Tayport Community Garden. Find the next date under Events on our website here.

In fact, the weather is looking perfect out there at the moment so I think I will do the BeeWalk survey just now and that’ll be my 24 minutes done for today!