"Hundreds of bees fitted with "licence plates" are to be released from a London rooftop. (first batch in Mile End)
They have been fitted with individual coloured number tags on their backs.
Five hundred bees will be released on Tuesday, followed by several hundred more each week over the coming month as bee colonies mature.
It is hoped people will be able to spot the bees, then enter photographs of them into a competition to find the best picture, highest number of bees spotted and most bee-friendly garden.
( www.savelondonbees.co.uk/ - 'Help our native bees by planting bee-friendly flowers on your own balcony, windowsil, roof terrace, or in your back garden. Between June 21, 2016 and August 21, 2016, take photos of your pollinator-friendly gardens and any wild bees that visit for a chance to win a £100 Amazon voucher.')
Queen Mary University biologists hope the project will establish what are bees' preferred patches in which to pollinate in London.
Once the bees are released, the researchers will be able to see how successful urban gardening efforts have been.
From www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-36578310
