The sight of large numbers of dead or dying bumblebees on the ground may be alarming, but the phenomenon is fairly common and usually not related to human actions, and as Athayde Tonhasca reveals, there are several natural causes of bumblebee mass mortality. Normal life cycle. Worker bumblebees have relatively short lives — four weeks […] …
Continue reading "Finding dead bumblebees — Scottish pollinators"
It was around this time of year, back in 1986, that Creag Meagaidh was declared a National Nature Reserve. Many people will know it as a reserve in which mountain terrain features heavily. And whilst that’s true, this can at times overshadow the merits of the lower stretches of the reserve where fabulous tracts of […] …
Continue reading "Creag Meagaidh – thinking big for pollinators — Scottish pollinators"
As I’m writing this blog, with the windows open, I can hear lawn mowers up and down the street cutting away. We have decided to join ‘Say No to the Mow‘ during May, although we haven’t actually cut the lawn this year. I’ve already noticed a few differences in the garden. I hadn’t seen a […] …
Continue reading "Say No to the Mow in May — Appleton Wildlife Diary by Alex White"
Of all the bumblebees in Scotland – and at the last count there were around 22 species – the Great Yellow is the one that gives greatest cause for concern. One hundred years ago the Great Yellow Bumblebee was found in many places across Britain, today it is confined to Scotland. Even then it is […] …
Continue reading "The Great Yellow in peril — Scottish pollinators"
Providing for pollinators is a nationwide drive as far as Scotland is concerned. From the Scottish Borders, to the Northern and Western Isles, there are plenty of projects underway to help our hard-pressed pollinators. Take Orkney for example. Orkney Islands Council is working in partnership with the Orkney Alcohol Counselling and Advisory Service (OACAS) and […] …
Continue reading "Orkney options for pollinators — Scottish pollinators"
The loss of many farmland hedgerows shortly after the Second World War was disastrous for pollinating insects in our rural landscape. Flowering hedgerows are excellent for food, shelter and nesting sites, as well as providing a safe and convenient corridor for ease of movement. Rural communities lamented the loss of the flowers which were a […] …
Continue reading "The value of flowering hedgerows — Scottish pollinators"
The gardening season is upon us. Tools are being dusted down, plans are afoot. It’s a time to relish the yearly potential of a garden or outdoor space. And once again we are delighted to be teaming up with Keep Scotland Beautiful to celebrate a successful pollinator-friendly approach taken by a volunteer community. We had […] …
Continue reading "Take a pollinator-friendly approach — Scottish pollinators"
To capture your attention I could do a lot worse, it seems, than encourage you to “Make space for dandelions.” Rarely has one single plant raised the ire of so many, but let me explain whilst I make a plea for this very special flower. Now, I will concede from the outset that dandelions have […] …
Continue reading "Take the dandelion dare — Scottish pollinators"
What do you do about pollination if you are an early flowering mountain plant such as the Purple Saxifrage which comes into flower on the high slopes of Ben Lawers just as the snows are melting in March or April? Iain MacGowan has the answer and it’s quite a surprise. The answer is that you […] …
Continue reading "Pollination in the cold — Scottish pollinators"
The great yellow bumblebee is creating quite a buzz on the Isle of Tiree in the Inner Hebrides. A four year project to monitor its population and habitat, and create new foraging habitat, has been embraced by the island’s residents and visitors. Janet Bowler, project manager for Hebridean Flower Power and Tiree’s Great Yellow Bumblebee […] …
Continue reading "Tiree bumblebee buzz — Scottish pollinators"
The Northern Herper 
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