Not just common birds are in decline, native bee populations are taking a precipitous dive along with their domesticated European brethren due to largely unknown circumstances, although climate change is a major contender. Bees pollinate over 30% of our food so we depend on them for our own livelihood. What can you do? Make a bee block to create habitat for native bees and click http://tinyurl.com/anbrxh to learn more about declines in bees.
Bee blocks are simple to make. Use a 4×4 or any pieces of substantial scrap wood to drill holes from 3/8-3/32″ in diameter. For the 3/8 and 1/4″ holes drill to 5-6″ depth. For the remaining smaller holes drill 4-5″ depth. Put the “bee box” on a pole facing east to warm in the morning sun. You can create additional habitat by planting a year round source of native flowering plants surrounded by some bare scrapes for ground nesting bees. If you would like to make more than one block, make a template out of paper or cardboard (see photo below) to mark the holes. We fashioned sturdier templates made of drilled aluminum for use with many blocks. Enjoy and watch the bees come in and join your backyard birds!
For more on how to create nesting bee habitat click here. For more on the California Agriculture Pollinator project click here. Coming soon: Farm on Putah Creek pollinator demonstration project.
Orchard Mason Bee Drawing by Sarina Jepsen
Bee block at Citrona Orchards Riparian and Grassland Restoration Site, Yolo County, California
