
Following the National Bee Unit confirming on 8th October a sighting of an Asian hornet in the Ascot area of Berkshire … it was reported during the evening of 12th Oct. that a nest has been found and destroyed and that searches continue for any other hornets in the area.
Good news, but remain vigilant for local sightings.
The original message about the sighting from the NBU … Dear Beekeeper, The National Bee Unit has confirmed a sighting of an Asian hornet in the Ascot area of Berkshire, after it was reported by a member of the public and has initiated a contingency response. What Can I Do? Familiarise yourself with the Asian Hornet:Monitor your apiaries using monitoring traps: Information on the Asian hornet pages of BeeBase at http://www.nationalbeeunit.com/index.cfm?sectionid=117Ensure your BeeBase records are up to date with apiary locations and contact information. Log in at https://www.nationalbeeunit.com/login.cfm to check your details Report any suspect sightings with your smart phone or tablet, by using the ‘Asian hornet Watch’ app: for Android and iOS devices.online at: http://www.brc.ac.uk/risc/alert.php?species=asian_hornetby email to: alertnonnative@ceh.ac.uk. Please include as much information as possible in your email; where you saw the sighting, your name and contact details and if possible an image. Please note that during outbreaks the NBU receive high numbers of calls and emails. Therefore, we ask that you use the information given above to report sightings. Where possible please use the app or electronic form. We thank you in advance for your co-operation and continued vigilance. To unsubscribe to these updates, please log in https://www.nationalbeeunit.com/login.cfm and update your preferences. |
Jim Wynn, RBKA’s AHAT Leader, and Surrey BKA’s AHAT Coordinator comments …
“And just when I thought we had got away with it for another year ! …
Asian Hornet identified in Ascot
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/asian-hornet-identified-in-ascot
Please pass this message round, be vigilant and pay attention to correct identification.
https://www.bbka.org.uk/faqs/identifying-asian-hornet
… but I wish we could change the name to yellow legged hornet to save some of the false sightings.”
This is the story so far
Mainland UK | Confirmed sightings | Nests destroyed |
2016 | 3 | 1 |
2017 | 1 | 1 |
2018 | 9 | 4 |
2019 | 5 | 3 |
2020 | 1 | 1 |
So far 2021 | 1 | – |
Jim
If you haven’t downloaded the Asian Hornet Watch app yet – then please do.
Jim Wynn
COMMUNICATION
REMEMBER if a sighting is suspected, first inform the RBKA AHAT member via jimwynn333@hotmail.com and be able to report it to the national team through one of the methods below:
1 The ‘Asian Hornet Watch’ app, available free for both Apple and Android
2 Via a web form Bit.ly/report_hornet
3 Emailing alertnonnative@ceh.ac.uk
4 Phoning your nearest action team member found here bit.ly/AH-action-team
More information here www.ahat.org.uk