Insect Pollinator Surveys
Our Betchworth B-Line is intended to help insect pollinators to flourish by creating more wildflower rich habitats on which they can forage. An important part of our work is to monitor the insects that our wildflowers attract. As far as we know there have not been any insect surveys carried out in Betchworth so what we discover will be new.
We want to undertake two different types of survey. The first will be to identify the number of different insect pollinator species we have in our parish (see our 2023 Butterfly Survey & Moth Survey). The second type of survey will count numbers of insects visiting a small group of flowers and it will form part of the national FIT Count survey being conducted by the Pollinator Monitoring and Research Partnership (PMRP) https://ukpoms.org.uk/ The partnership comprises UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH), Bumblebee Conservation Trust, Butterfly Conservation, British Trust for Ornithology, Hymettus, University of Reading, University of Leeds and Natural History Museum.
FIT Counts
This 10 minute survey collects data on the total number of insects that visit a particular flower, ideally chosen from a list of 14 target flowers. FIT Counts can be done anywhere, including gardens and parks, in warm, dry weather any time from April to September. This short video explains the process.
Our Betchworth B-Line is intended to help insect pollinators to flourish by creating more wildflower rich habitats on which they can forage. An important part of our work is to monitor the insects that our wildflowers attract. As far as we know there have not been any insect surveys carried out in Betchworth so what we discover will be new.
We want to undertake two different types of survey. The first will be to identify the number of different insect pollinator species we have in our parish (see our 2023 Butterfly Survey & Moth Survey). The second type of survey will count numbers of insects visiting a small group of flowers and it will form part of the national FIT Count survey being conducted by the Pollinator Monitoring and Research Partnership (PMRP) https://ukpoms.org.uk/ The partnership comprises UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH), Bumblebee Conservation Trust, Butterfly Conservation, British Trust for Ornithology, Hymettus, University of Reading, University of Leeds and Natural History Museum.
FIT Counts
This 10 minute survey collects data on the total number of insects that visit a particular flower, ideally chosen from a list of 14 target flowers. FIT Counts can be done anywhere, including gardens and parks, in warm, dry weather any time from April to September. This short video explains the process.
GUIDES
How to carry out the survey
fit_count_survey_guide.pdf |
Survey Form - use this to help you record your observations
fit_count_survey_form.pdf |
Guide for the 14 target flower species for FITCount Survey
fit_count_flower_guide.pdf |
Guide for Insect Pollinators
fit_count_insect_guide.pdf |
FITCount App
The free App allows you to carry out a survey and upload the results all in one go.
- Download Android app from Google Play
- Download Apple (iPhone/iPad) app from the App Store
- All FIT Count data can be entered in the field - no internet signal required
- Counts can be saved and uploaded immediately, or when you return to base
- Includes insect groups identification guide
- English and Welsh languages available within the app
- Can use device GPS to automatically record your location