Public bumblebee survey in the Netherlands in 1994 and 1995

The survey asked for the attention of bumblebees of both members and other inhabitants of the Netherlands. The objects of the survey were: 1. consciousness: nature is not far away 2. mapping the distribution of bumblebee species; 3. publicity of the participating societies. We asked in 1994: which bumblebee species on which plant species do you observe during June, and do you observe special features like nests or behavior? In 1995: when do you observe the first queen of each species and what does she do? To reach the inhabitants, a large-scale campaign was organized, including observation cards (85000) showing the six common bumblebee species and a special bumblebee newspaper (45000). In 1994 we received 25000 and in 1995 4345 observations. Most observations (81%) in 1994 were made in urban areas. The observations were useful for mapping and increasing the knowledge on foodplants, nest sites and phenology. Many of the results were published in a special issue by the organizing societies together with various other bumblebee papers. Are the objects attained? Yes, at least the first two objects. The survey did not lead to a significant increase of new members.