Swarm of support for Scotland’s pollinators - NatureScot
People around Scotland are doing more than ever to help save threatened bees, moths, and hoverflies, according to a new NatureScot report.
From creating wildflower meadows and green corridors, to carrying out bumblebee surveys and mowing less, local authorities, environmental bodies, scientists, communities, and individuals are taking action to help boost pollinator populations.
The Pollinator 2023 Progress Report finds that almost every local authority in the country is now carrying out a range of pollinator activities to support the aims of The Pollinator Strategy for Scotland. And the wealth of activities recorded over recent years shows that, from the Northern Isles to the Scottish Borders, there is growing commitment to pollinator-friendly practices.
NatureScot Pollinator Strategy Manager, Jim Jeffrey said:
“This swell of support is much needed at a time when many species of bees, hoverflies and moths are facing population declines due to changes in land use, habitat loss, diseases, pesticides, and climate.
“We rely on these insects to pollinate many of our crops and wild plants so it’s encouraging to see local authorities, environmental groups, communities and schools coming together to help these vital insects.”
This sixth annual report details the progress being made by a wide range of groups and individuals to make Scotland a place where pollinators thrive. Some of the pollinator-friendly work in 2023 includes:
- Pollinators Along the Tweed, a partnership between Buglife, Tweed Forum and Scottish Borders Council, is creating and restoring 40 hectares of wildflower-rich habitat. Working across 50 sites in towns and villages along the Tweed, as well as the wider countryside, this project will help restore habitat connectivity for pollinating insects, helping them to better move across the landscape and adapt to a changing environment.
- Led by the Scottish Wildlife Trust, the Irvine to Girvan Nectar Network is a creating corridors of pollinator-friendly green spaces along the Ayrshire Coast, ensuring the long-term survival of the area’s pollinating insects. The project is using innovative cutting techniques to harvest ‘green hay’ to create new wildflower meadows from the cuttings and seeds of their existing meadows.
- The Highland Wildflower Meadow Mosaic has, so far, seen the creation of 91 pocket meadows across northern Scotland, led by the High Life Highland Countryside Rangers working with volunteers and schools, and by many other communities and individuals.