With bee populations in decline, observers associated with the Norfolk Land Trust were taken aback by the discovery of a rare species of bee on the outskirts of the Barbour Woods. The elusive Lucia apis mellifera, commonly referred to as Lucy honeybee, is known for its larger-than-usual size, shiny wings and prominent antennae. It is not often spotted out in the open, especially in the winter when most bees cluster in their hives for survival. After being provided with documentation, Dr. April Fullz of the New England State Bee Consortium confirmed the sighting. Please share future sightings with norfolklandtrustct@gmail.com. Meanwhile, local beekeepers report that the more common honeybee, Apis mellifera, experienced a challenging winter. Dan Watkins of Beeworks said prolonged cold conditions resulted in mortality rates that were higher than normal among the apiaries he man-ages, adding that new overwintering techniques are improving outcomes.