A “champion” of the great yellow bumblebee is urging people in Caithness to support the drive to protect the rare species.
Highland MSP David Stewart wants the public to attend a week of events organised by The Bumblebee Conservation Trust starting at The Park Hotel in Thurso on Friday, August 21.
Conservation officer Katy Malone and data monitoring expert Dr Richard Comont will lead bee identification training sessions, walks along designated routes in search of bees, and there will also be the chance to learn about how to photograph the species.
Mr Stewart said: “This will be a great week of events in Thurso and I would really encourage anyone interested to get in touch with the local organiser Katy Malone and come along to some of the events taking place. The Bumblebee Conservation Trust desperately need volunteers and there was a real ‘buzz’ around Thurso when I opened the public consultation at the Pop Up Shop in Thurso and a hope the great yellow could encourage tourism, community activities and practical work for bees across Caithness.
“The great yellow bumblebee is one of Scotland’s rarest insects and the species has been in decline since the 1950s across the UK and is now only found in Caithness and Sutherland on the mainland and on the Western Isles and Orkney. It is important that local communities get behind projects to support the great yellow and are able to ensure the continued survival of this rare species that is such and important part of our countryside and food chain.”
Scottish MSPs have opted to be champions of various native species, and Mr Stewart has taken the great yellow under his wing.