How do we confidently know what Bumblebees (& solitaries) we have per county?
What are the data sources - Is it a combination of iRecord? POMs surveys, transect walks?
I've noticed hardly any bumblebee transect walks happen in my area, via BeeWalks.
How do the creators of Field Guides create the little area maps that show where bee types are?
A report was made in this county for 2011, but that was some time ago. I wonder if we don't know what we have how we can do effective conservation.
Many thanks for any help.
Many counties have a local Recorder for Aculeate Hymenoptera - they have a good working knowledge of local species.
BWARS (Bees, Wasps and Ants Recording Society is a reliable source of data/maps. it has its own website and I understand that BWARS uses iRecord verified data
The little maps in field guides are simplified versions of the national maps available on the BWARS website or possibly using NBN Atlas maps
If nothing has been published for your county since 2011, it may just mean that up to date records are waiting to be published, or someone may have a draft or work in progress. Contact your local Recorder or Local Biological Records Centre which will be at the coalface of effective conservation advice through the planning process and input into management plans etc.
I doubt very much that things simply stopped in 2011