Tag Archives: pollinators

Mapping the way forward for Scotland’s pollinators

Our blog today looks at one of the many projects NatureScot is working on to improve the future for our vital pollinating insects. Cameron, one of this year’s NatureScot graduate placements who is mapping Scotland’s pollinator-friendly habitats, tells us more … Continue reading

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Marvellous Mining Bees

The discovery of mining bees in Simon Ritchie‘s parents’ garden inspired him to read-up on these scarce burrowing insects. There are more than 1,300 species of mining bee around the world. However, only a fraction of these species are known … Continue reading

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Why we should love dandelions!

The dandelion is not much loved. But Therese Alampo, Manager of St Cyrus National Nature Reserve, is here to tell us the many reasons we should appreciate these cheery, early spring flowers… The humble dandelion is one of the first … Continue reading

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Bringing butterflies and bees back to Skolie Burn SSSI

Since starting a Community Woodland group, Ian Records’ life has changed completely – dropping leaflets, knocking on doors, writing up woodland management plans and doing flower surveys.  Here, he tells how a protected area can galvanise a local community to take action to improve their local area for people and wildlife. Continue reading

Posted in Access, bees, biodiversity, citizen science, Community engagement, conservation, Ecology, Flowers, Insects, Land management, meadow, Orchids, plants, Projects, Scotland's Protected Places, SNH, SSSI, Uncategorized, Volunteering, wild flowers | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Trick or treat?

Stuck for ideas for your Halloween costume? You could do worse than seek inspiration from the masters of disguise that inhabit the natural world all around us. Many of our insects and pollinators have evolved a variety of weird and … Continue reading

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Creating a buzz at Flower & Food Festival

Dundee’s annual Flower and Food Festival is a big event  in the calendar for our Tayside and Grampian team. This year was extra special, being the show’s 30th anniversary.  Held in Camperdown Park,  the festival provides something for everyone, from … Continue reading

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Glasgow – the pollinator’s friend

As our largest city, with a rich industrial history, you may not immediately think of Glasgow as a place for pollinators. However, make no mistake: Glasgow is more than doing its bit for our pollinators, as SNH Pollinator Strategy Manager … Continue reading

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Pollinating Edinburgh’s Living Landscape

There has been lots happening to benefit pollinators across Edinburgh, especially since the launch of the Edinburgh Living Landscape, as Hebe Carus of the Scottish Wildlife Trust revealed in a recent catch up with Jim Jeffrey, SNH Pollinator Strategy Manager. Edinburgh’s Living … Continue reading

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Scotland’s first ever Pollinator Trail, designed by and for children, open now!

On Friday 15 June, Scotland’s first ever Pollinator Trail opened at Whitmuir Farm in the Scottish Borders.  Neville Makan, local SNH Operations Officer, tells us about the launch of the trail and why pollinators are so important. Heather Anderson and … Continue reading

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Species of the month

Mason bee When you hear about pollination, probably ‘honey bees’ come to mind, or perhaps ‘bumblebees’. These bees are indeed important pollinating agents, but, as Athayde Tonhasca explains, many other insects contribute to this vital ecological service – particularly solitary … Continue reading

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