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An illustration featuring a stylised flower and a magnifying glass, showing a honeybee, a wild bee and a butterfly. Below this is the title “To the flower, get set, go!”, along with the subtitle “Observe & count pollinators” and the note “Join in with a few simple steps”.
© Kristina Gratzer
  • Project lead: Robert Brodschneider
  • University of Graz
  • Universitätsplatz 2, 8010 Graz
  • +43 (0)316 380 - 5602
  • Topic: Plants, Animals
  • Activity: photography, counting, identifying, observing
  • Project link: https://bienenstand.at/auf-die-bluete-fertig-los/

In the project “Ready. Steady. Buzz!”, participants record which pollinators visit flowers and how often. This generates data on flower resource use and potential overlap between honey bees and wild pollinators.

What are the aims of the project?

The aim of the project is to better understand which pollinators visit flowering plants, how often these visits occur, and how they differ across habitats. Participants collect simple, standardized observations in the field. The results provide new insights into how honey bees and wild pollinators use floral resources and reveal potential overlaps in resource use. This creates a valuable basis for research, beekeeping, agriculture, and biodiversity conservation.

How can you participate in the project?

Participating is simple and does not require prior knowledge or a specific age: Choose a flowering plant and observe it for 2-15 minutes. Count which pollinators visit the flowers and assign them to a group. Record the date, location, and plant species, and submit your observation via the online form on the project website. Participation is possible anywhere— in your garden, in a meadow, or while out and about.