Where do the Bees Go? by Lesley Jacques NDB

Where do the Bees Go? by Lesley Jacques NDBThis book was conceived following work carried out in pursuit of the UK National Diploma in Beekeeping. As a UK programme, the NDB necessarily focuses on a select group of plant species which are key to honey bees in the British Isles. However those plants that are of value to honey bees are often equally valuable to other UK pollinators and so of interest to anyone who has a love of insects, or indeed, botany. The original work contained pressed

This book was conceived following work carried out in pursuit of the UK National Diploma in Beekeeping. As a UK programme, the NDB necessarily focuses on a select group of plant species which are key to honey bees in the British Isles. However those plants that are of value to honey bees are often equally valuable to other UK pollinators and so of interest to anyone who has a love of insects, or indeed, botany. The original work contained pressed botanical samples; these have been scanned to high resolution for inclusion in this book, preserving much of the detail that would be lost in either photographs or illustrations. Those scans are augmented by photographs of each species at different life stages and photomicrographs of the pollen from each species. This is brought together with information around the plant families, ecology, and for the beekeepers’ benefit, potential for honey production.

Lesley Jacques is a Master Beekeeper who took up the craft almost by accident after a swarm of honey bees arrived in her garden in 2011. She very quickly became fascinated by the bees she was tending, and committed to learn more about them and their environment, working her way through the BBKA Module and Husbandry exams. She was awarded her Master Beekeeper qualification in 2021 and gained the NDB in 2024. Throughout this time, Lesley has been actively involved with the British Beekeepers’ Association and her local group, Cheshire Beekeepers’ Association, providing beginners through to advanced level teaching programmes for beekeepers at all levels, including structured teaching for those studying for their own Master Beekeeper qualification. As a scientist by profession, she takes a particular interest in the biology and botanical aspects of beekeeping, and in conveying this to others. Lesley lives in Cheshire with her husband Tony, where she manages three apiaries and more honey bee colonies than she admits to.

WINNER OF A GOLD AWARD* at the Apimondia Congress 2025.

*Excellence in Beekeeping Literature: A Gold Medal recognizes a publication for its outstanding quality, innovation, or significant contribution to the field of beekeeping.

"Lesley Jacques is to be congratulated on presenting this attractive and informative book. It is of interest to readers in the United Kingdom and Europe, where many of these plants are indigenous. Magnificently presented, this book may serve the UK and EU beekeepers well, as a resource for any amateur, professional, and/or commercial beekeeper, whether out in the fields, apiary sites, or as studying material. The attention given to Nectar (N) and Pollen (P) values of each plant spp., along with the variety of honeybee and solitary (bee) pollinators foraging on these plants, enhance the quality of the book."

"The layout is extremely pleasing to the eye and held attention from start to finish. The quality and quantity of the detailed illustrations are exemplary, and - again - the layout of both the text and the illustrations in such an organized and systematic way captivates the reader and lends itself to easy reading. The text is succinct and very detailed, without ever losing the reader, while providing very well rounded and widely encompassing information. There is a wonderful Balance to this book, between the text and illustrations, and something a little magical of the authors' enthusiasm for the subject is captured and transferred to the reader. Hearty Congratulations, and a well-deserved Apimondia World Beekeeping GOLD award, to Lesley Jacques."

– APIMONDIA The International Federation of Beekeepers' Associations