As part of the BEE-OPTECH4Honey project, our first field visit was conducted in Lüleburgaz, a region in the Thrace part of northwestern Türkiye. The area’s flora is dominated by Robinia pseudoacacia (black locust), Trifolium species (clovers), Helianthus annuus (sunflower), and a range of wild herbs and shrubs. Honey samples (~850 g) were collected using our standard protocol and geotagged with altitude and location metadata. In addition to sample collection and beekeeper surveys, aerial imaging was performed using the DJI Mavic 3M multispectral drone. These flights captured high-resolution RGB and multispectral imagery, allowing us to assess the surrounding vegetation health, dominant flora types, and land use patterns.
We are deeply grateful to the local agricultural authorities, veterinarians affiliated with the district agricultural directorate, and the supportive residents of Lüleburgaz who greatly facilitated our work. In particular, we extend our heartfelt thanks to Mr. Özay Erceli for his invaluable assistance and dedication throughout our visit.
We would also like to sincerely thank our international project partners from the University of Malta, especially Dear Arthur Lamoliere and Prof. Dr. David Mifsud, for their constant presence and support during the fieldwork. Special appreciation is extended to Mr. Gökhan Akdeniz, whose outstanding expertise in field operations significantly guided our efforts.
