Would you like to learn how to tell one pollinator apart from another? You can now sign up to a training webinar to learn how to identify different groups of pollinators and also become a volunteer pollinator recorder.

Cumbria Wildlife Trust is looking for volunteers to help record the number and range of pollinators found in the north west of the county, for the Get Cumbria Buzzing project. The wildlife charity is running a series of five online webinars in August and September, aimed specifically at those living in north and west Cumbria, to teach you how to identify and record these much-loved pollinating insects.

Experienced trainers will be leading the workshops, such as Guy Broome, who is experienced in trapping and identifying moths.

The webinars will take place on the following days:

• Butterfly identification and recording: common butterflies – 14 August, 1.00pm – 2.00pm
• Moth trapping, identification and recording – 17 August, 8.30am – 9.30am
• Bumblebee identification and recording – 20 August, 1.00pm – 2.30pm
• Butterfly identification and recording: specialist butterflies – 31 August, 1.00pm – 2.00pm
• Introduction to identifying and recording hoverflies – 7 September 7.30pm – 8.30pm

The five webinars will be aimed at people living in Carlisle, Maryport, Whitehaven and Workington, as these are the areas that the Get Cumbria Buzzing project is focusing on. Numbers are limited and you are advised to book well in advance.

Lucy Graham, Project Officer for Get Cumbria Buzzing, explains why pollinators need our help: “Across the UK, bumblebees and other pollinating insects are disappearing at an alarming rate. More than half of our bee, butterfly and moth species have declined in the past 50 years, and 30 species of bees face extinction. Over the last 75 years we’ve lost 97% of our flower-rich meadows, 50% of our hedgerows, and 60% of flowering plants are in decline.  

Lucy continues: “As a trained pollinator recorder, your information will contribute really valuable data to local and national records. With your help, we’ll be able to create the first Cumbrian Pollinator Atlas and track insect populations and movements. This valuable data will help inform us on the best ways to support bumblebees across the county.”

For more information, email lucyg@cumbriawildifetrust.org.uk.