Solitary Bee ID for Beginners
- 9th May 2026
- 10am - 4pm
Join Dr Will Hawkes for an engaging day exploring the extraordinary bee diversity found at Heligan. Discover the fascinating lives of these essential pollinators and leave with a deeper understanding, and a renewed appreciation, of these small but vital creatures.
Course Detail
Begin the day with tea and coffee in the Seedpod, with an introduction to the remarkable diversity of bees found in the UK and here at Heligan. You will be guided through the fascinating world of solitary bees, exploring how they differ from honeybees and bumblebees and introducing the key features and behaviours that help with identification. You’ll learn how to recognise the most common species by looking closely at form, markings, habitat and movement, building the confidence to distinguish one from another.
After lunchand weather permitting, the workshop will move outdoors into the gardens. With expert guidance, you’ll put your new knowledge into practice searching for, observing and identifying solitary bees in their natural habitats. Will will share practical techniques for careful observation and photography.
Each participant will receive a bespoke identification guide to the most common solitary bees, designed to support continued learning long after the day ends. By the close of the workshop, you’ll have both the skills and the understanding to look more closely and to see these small but vital pollinators in a whole new light.
Essential Information
There are no material prerequisites for this course, but we recommend bringing a notebook and a camera (mobile phone is great) if you want to practice photography techniques.
Butterfly nets, hand lenses and insect pots will be provided.
You will be outdoors for part of the day - sturdy shoes and weather appropriate clothing are recommended
Tea, coffee and biscuits are provided
Lunch can be purchased in our Steward’s House Café or bring a packed lunch
About Will Hawkes
Will Hawkes is an insect research scientist, photographer and storyteller. He grew up in the wilds of Northeast Wales surrounded by the natural world and moved down to Cornwall ten years ago to begin his academic journey. Through his research into migratory insects, he has worked all over the world learning their stories and behaviours.
Will adores insects, they have given him so much in this life and his main aim is to give something back to them. Inspiring people to share his passion for these tiny lives is the most important thing for him as it leads to more understanding and then on to the hopeful protection of these remarkable little animals.
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