All-Ireland Pollinator Plan: April 2024 newsletter
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 Newsletter: April 2024 The All-Ireland Pollinator Plan is a framework bringing together different sectors across the island of Ireland to create a landscape where pollinators can survive and thrive. Its implementation is coordinated by the National Biodiversity Data Centre. |
To spot this month: keep an eye out for the Tawny Mining Bee This is one of our most distinctive solitary bees – look out for deep red hairs on the thorax and orange hairs on the abdomen. It usually comes out of hibernation in April and will be around until June. It nests by making little volcano-like burrows into bare soil and can be found in gardens. The Tawny Mining bee (Andrena fulva) was thought to be extinct for 87 years in Ireland, before being rediscovered in 2012. It is now known from counties Down, Dublin, Wicklow, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Kildare, Carlow & Waterford. Can you help find more new populations?  Submit your solitary bee sightings To do this month: check out wild bees favourite food plants in 2023 Every year, the National Biodiversity Data Centre receives thousands of bee sightings. In 2023, 1,824 records were submitted that also included information on what flower the bee was feeding on. A huge thank you to everyone who sent in foraging data as it allows us to get as sense of what flowers they prefer. This year’s data again shows the importance of native plants and of simple actions like reduced mowing! Click the link to read more, including which plants are key each month, and what actions you can take to ensure your site provides their favourite foods.  Read more New booklet – Great Irish Grasslands Trail A new booklet has been released celebrating Great Irish Grasslands. This guide has been developed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, with support from the National Biodiversity Data Centre and the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan. Species-rich grasslands (or native meadows) are among the most important habitats for biodiversity on the island of Ireland. They support a huge number of species above ground and in the soil. In the last few decades these fragile habitats have been disappearing fast. This booklet is the start of a process to recognise a network of these sites across the island. It profiles nine excellent sites that are publicly accessible and gives you a flavour of what you might see if you visit.  Read more and download the booklet New resource on Ecological Corridors We are delighted to release a new resource on ecological corridors for pollinators. This short booklet provides an introduction to ecological corridors and tips on how to create them. Ecological corridors connect isolated habitats, helping insects, birds and mammals move safely through the landscape. They can include hedgerows and roadside verges, watercourses, and greenways. They can also include built up areas where rows of gardens and community spaces connect with urban parks.  Read more and download the resource Pollinator, native plant, and action of the week Across the island of Ireland, pollinators are still in decline, but our data shows that local populations are increasing where actions are taken to help them. Every month between February and October, we’ll share ideas on how you can support these important insects with evidence-based actions. We’ll also be celebrating the connection between native plants and pollinators by shining a spotlight on different species. Each week on social media we will release a pollinator of the week, a native plant of the week, and an action of the week. You can also get the monthly summary on our website. Find out more about pollinators in April below.  April: pollinator, native plant and action of the week Reduced mowing tips: April – Let Dandelions Bee This month will see the biggest bloom of Dandelions. These native wildflowers are vital sources of nectar and pollen. Records sent to the National Biodiversity Data Centre in 2023 showed that Dandelions were the most popular food source for wild bees. Help feed hungry pollinators this month and #LetDandelionsBee. Reducing mowing even to once a month can help feed our hungry pollinators. By mowing less, you are giving native wildflowers a chance to pop up naturally. Over time this will result in pockets of species-rich grassland: a vital habitat providing food and shelter for pollinators. If you’re taking part in No Mow May this year and you’re worried about grass growth, cut your lawn before the end of April. This will ensure the height is manageable when it’s time to mow again. Make sure you remove grass clippings to help wildflowers grow.  Read more Threats to our native Bluebell Our native bluebell, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, is an early flowering pollinator-friendly plant that naturally occurs in Ireland. The Irish name Coinnle Corra, means tapered candles. Common bluebells can form beautiful blue carpets of colour from April to May and on warm days, they produce a delicate sweet smell. Read this blog from the farmland officer, Ruth Wilson, to learn about how this beautiful native flower is in trouble. Photo: Ruth Wilson  Read the blog It’s time for Flower-Insect Timed Counts again! Flower-Insect Timed Counts (FIT Counts) are an important way that you can help us monitor pollinators. Download the free FIT Count App, watch a 50x50cm patch of flowers for 10 minutes and count how many insects visit. You can carry out a FIT Count anywhere, and on any flower, but where you can, please use one of our 15 target flowers. In April, its especially useful to carry out FIT Counts on Dandelion. You do need to wait until it’s sunny and at least 13C though! In 2023, 673 validated FIT Counts were submitted by 126 different volunteers. The average number of insects per FIT Count was 9. The most common insect group recorded were other flies followed by bumblebees then hoverflies. The most common habitat FIT Counts were carried out in was gardens. Visit the website to download the 2023 newsletter and see the full results of the scheme last year.  FIT Count website View this email in your browser |
