If you do not have a smartphone or tablet, you can still survey your dahlias and submit the records via this website. You will need a digital camera, a watch or timer, a pen and paper, and access to the website.
Conduct a survey
When you are ready to begin a survey, select one colour form of the Mignon Series dahlias to monitor.
Write down the date, the chosen colour form and the number of open flower heads on the three plants. Spend five minutes watching the chosen dahlia plants.
Take a photograph of each individual bumblebee that lands on the flowers, and make a note of the bumblebee species if you can identify it. You only need to take a picture of each individual bumblebee once, so if the bumblebee moves between flowers you don’t need to report it again.
You may also find it helpful to make a note of the photograph numbers, if you can see that information on your camera.
Submit your survey
Once you are ready to submit your survey, load your photos onto your computer and open the dahlia survey form. Further instructions for using the survey form are provided below.
Register
Sign in and follow instructions
Once signed in, you will be asked to provide details about your bumblebee identification skill level and memberships.
You will also be asked to provide details about your garden or allotment, including its location, type, surroundings and size.
Save the details. You will only need to provide these details once.
Add a dahlia survey
You will then be able to enter the details of your dahlia survey.
Provide the date of the survey, the colour form of dahlia surveyed and the number of open flower heads surveyed.
Add details of each bumblebee that was seen during the five minute survey period.
First select a bumblebee species name, assign a confidence rating (optional) and upload a photo if you managed to take one.
For each additional bumblebee seen, select add a bee and provide details.
Once you have added details of all the bumblebees seen, click submit.
Even if you don’t see any bumblebees, please still submit your survey record.
View your surveys
You will be able to view all the surveys you submit via the my records section of the website.