Collecting Your Bee Count Data

On this page you’ll find everything you need to conduct your bee counts successfully. The three 5-minute observations per orchard will enable us to make an assessment of your wild bee fauna and develop informed advice about effective pollinator management.

Our support resources include:

So read on to get started!

Step 1:

Learn How to Distinguish Native Bees from Honey Bees

While most of us never confuse bumble bees with honey bees, there are a few native bees that look at first glance like honey bees, and it is not always easy to distinguish native bees from wasps and other similar flying insects unless you know what to look for. We’ve provided a quick guide to help you positively identify honey bees and distinguish native bees from wasps and other flying insects. It’s easy, fun, and should take no more than 5 minutes to view.

Bee Guide

Think you’ve got it down? Time to challenge your new-found knowledge with this quiz:

Bee Quiz

If you got most all of them right, you’re ready for the field! If not, go through the guide one more time.

Download These Presentations

Step 2:

Grab the Pollinator App and Get Comfortable with It

Watch this short instructional video to understand the data collection process. The video shows use of a bee counting app. We suggest using our Bee Survey submission survey so you can get a copy of your survey to keep for your records. If you would like to use a Bee Counting App. check out WiBee who has taken our NEPP Bee Count App to the next level.

You’ll need to be able to access the Pollinator App in order to submit your bee count data. If you are viewing this page on your phone, you can click the button below. If not, open up your browser on your phone and navigate to nepp-app.org. If you can, bookmark this page to the homescreen of your phone for your convenience.

Launch the web app at nepp-app.org

You won’t be able to submit your bee count data without it!

Step 3:

Collect and Submit Bee Count Data

Before you go out in the field, here are some things to keep in mind:

  • Conduct your bee counts during the peak bloom at your orchard
  • It should be relatively sunny, at least 60°, and fairly calm
  • Collect data from three (3) locations within each orchard

Also, before you go out:

  • If you have cell phone reception or wireless access where you will be collecting data, bring your smartphone with you with the app loaded in your phone’s browser
  • If you can’t connect to the internet where you will be collecting data, you can bring out several of our pre-printed data collection sheets, a clip board and a pen or pencil with you; then record your data with the app when you do have an internet connection
  • Bring a meter stick with you, if you have one, so that you can visualize the 1 meter by 1 meter area you will be monitoring for bee activity

Thank you for your interest in helping this project be successful!

More Resources

You can download a printable data collection sheet PDF here:

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