Fota Junior Wildlife Trail

Join us on an exciting journey to learn about the
amazing world of bees and how you can help
protect them. Let’s make a difference together!

Start the Trail

Welcome to the Fota Pollinator Trail. By visiting the twelve stations you will learn more about Fota, Irish pollinators, pollinator-friendly plants and the pollination process.

Hover over the images below to read more about each of the 12 stations.

Click Here to download the Pollinator Trail map

Take the Quiz

What language does the word ‘Fota’ come from?

Irish

What is the name for the little grains that bees and other pollinators carry from one plant or flower to another during pollination?

Pollen

What colour are our Native Black Bees?

Black or Brown

What kind of flower is usually better for bees- flowers with lots of petals or a flower with fewer petals?

Flowers with fewer petals are generally best as the bees can find the pollen and nectar more easily

How many Queen Bees would you normally find in a colony?

There is usually only 1 Queen Bee in a colony.

What is the job of a Queen Bee?

Her job is to make lots of new bee babies.

Can a drone bee lay eggs?

No, a Drone bee cannot lay eggs-his job is to help the Queen make new bee babies.

Are Worker Bees girl (female) or boy (male) bees?

All Worker Bees are girl bees (females).

Can you remember the names of any of the bee-friendly plants found in the glasshouses of the Victorian Framing Yard?

Pride of Madeira/Giant Viper’s Bugloss/Cape Daisy/Foxglove/Palmatum.

Can bees get food from trees as well as flowering plants?

Yes, lots of trees produce flowers which are an important source of food for bees (eg. The Amur Cork tree, Willow tree, Sycamore tree….and many more.)

Do all bees live in a colony?

No, some bees are “solitary bees” which means that they like to live by themselves. (Eg: Bumblebees, mining bees, mason bees and many more….)

Do bees and pollinating insects feed on all types of flowers?

No, bees prefer some particular flowers, for example; foxglove, wallflower, fuschia, lavender etc. (see www.pollinators.ie for more information)

What kind of a hive is the one you see with a window (in the Victorian Framing Yard)?

The special hive with a window is called an ‘Observation Hive’…..(hives don’t normally have windows because bees prefer their hives to be dark and cosy.)