Author: Tracy Lambert

How to help thirsty bees in your garden

, by Tracy Lambert
It’s that time of year again, when the pollinators are out and buzzing around searching for food. In some cases, this is just food to eat but others, such as the humble bumblebee, are foraging to feed young in the nest. The constant flying for resources is exhausting! This weather we’ve been having – colds pouring rain one minute, then…

Turning inside out

, by Tracy Lambert
So, I don’t know about you, but I am personally sick of shielding! I have learned that in these past few months being outside has a level of importance to me that I took for granted. Lack of exercise and that feeling of freedom of movement have left me sore and in low mood. It is not natural to stay…

A closer look at moths

, by Tracy Lambert
I have always been a lover of butterflies, but it took me a bit more time to come around to moths. Until I started working for the Cumbernauld Living Landscape I used to think that moths were all little brown jobs, drab, mono-colour, and basically dull. As it turns out I am so very wrong and that every day really…

A little breathing space

, by Tracy Lambert
There has been much talk of children returning to school and how that might look in the months to come. Parents and guardians may be coping well with the routine of home schooling while others are struggling. Much of the pressure – even before Covid-19- is based around the curriculum and how a child conforms. This can mean we sometimes…

The not so magical midge!

, by Tracy Lambert
Recently Cumbernauld Living Landscape received an enquiry about insect bites and whether anyone else been bothered by them. The quick answer is yes. Since the middle to end of March my household has been scratching legs and arms to ease the incessant burning itch, issuing from what look like wee heat spots. I thought it a wee bit early for…

The plight of the male bumblebee

, by Tracy Lambert
  PART FOUR Once the males have hatched, they leave the nest never to return. Their sole purpose is to feed, mate, then die— it is a very short life for the humble male. Most will never mate but those that do will pass on the genes from the mother queen bee and the grandmother, great grandmother etc. hence the…

The autumn of bumblebees

, by Tracy Lambert
  PART THREE All the bees born in spring and early summer are female, born from the queen’s eggs and the male’s stored sperm packet. They are all sisters who are 75% related to each other. We are up to late summer now, and things are going to get a little tense in the nest. As late summer arrives the…

A bumblebee’s tale of spring and summer

, by Tracy Lambert
  PART TWO The discussion I had with students from St Maurices’ about bumblebees will remain with me forever. For two years I would be stopped in the corridors by one or two students who asked me to repeat the bumblebee’s tale, as they couldn’t get their heads around the genetics of how brothers and sisters are related differently. It…

Categories

Tags

Engaging comunities, Public opinion, Wildlife Watch Group, Weekend Volunteering, Yew, Chirstmas, Comments, Disqus, Make it count, Plastics, Frost, Beautiful, Green Routes, SUSTRANS, CSGNt, Memories, Play, National Toast Day, Tracks, International Year of the Forest, Wildlife gardening, Forestwood, Flowers, Cowslips, Black birds, Swift, Witch, Wizard, Magic, Inspiring