An unmistakable dumpy orange hoverfly with an obvious, long snout. Its larval stage is associated with cow dung.

The larval stage is associated with cow dung, each dung pat is a micro habitat, home to beetles, earthworms and other insects.

More info➡️ bit.ly/48UJp72

We love a good low-mow success story😍

Benjamin from Westport told us he's now got orchids in his garden🐝

'We've used the mow every 6 weeks method since 2021 & mow one patch once a year. Orchids appeared for the first time 2 years ago, and even more last spring!'

📷Ben Ryan

📢New Forester Moth resources 📢

This beautiful pollinator is in decline due to habitat loss. Help protect it with a free guideline, poster & signage template

Developed by Butterfly Conservation 🦋, NI, Biodiversity Ireland, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Moths Ireland & NIEA

pollinators.ie/protecting-rar…

Q: How do we highlight ‘how’ we are supporting pollinators along our business site's Biodiversity Walking Trail?
A: Review Pg. 32 of ‘Businesses: actions to help pollinators’ guidelines tinyurl.com/4ustw2d5 and engage with your local Biodiversity Officer. @biodatacentre

Species #8: Hawthorn

The month of May is the perfect time to record Hawthorn, also known as Whitethorn and the ‘May Tree’, with its blossom announcing that spring is turning to summer.

Don’t forget to record your sightings here:
records.biodiversityireland.ie/record/biodive…

#farmlandbiodiversity

Hawthorn (🇮🇪 Sceach gheal) is in bloom this month, feeding hungry pollinators

This beautiful plant gets a shout out from us for #WildflowerHour #HedgerowChallenge

This year's Festival of Farmland Biodiversity is celebrating hedgerows➡️ tinyurl.com/mtptath

(📷Ruth Wilson)

🐝Pollinator of the week: Furry dronefly
🌼Plant of the week: Bush vetch
✅Action of the week: Take part in No Mow May

Find out more about pollinators in May➡️ tinyurl.com/yc4bdu47

Our May newsletter highlights

🐝Festival of Farmland Biodiversity
🐝New free resource on the Forester moth
🐝What's really in your wildflower seed mix?
🐝Helping pollinators in May

Read more here tinyurl.com/2yf47akx
Sign up here bit.ly/3DXaolY

(📷 Ruth Wilson)

#NoMowMay is an annual campaign started by Plantlife, asking everyone to put away the lawnmower to help our native wildlife

We've got answers to your No Mow FAQs

More tips and free resources here➡️
pollinators.ie/no-mow-may/

Let’s celebrate bigger, better, and more joined up native species-rich hedgerows.

Find out more about the ‘Festival of Farmland Biodiversity’ bit.ly/44mFdfO

Check out the hedgerows for pollinators guide: bit.ly/3TzhZza

All-Ireland Pollinator Plan
#farmlandbiodiversity

Join me for a walk and talk, all about #GreatIrishGrasslands ...

We’re delighted to launch this year’s 'Festival of Farmland Biodiversity' with a new resource

'A Hedgerow Through the Seasons' bit.ly/3Uj1hU9

To take part:
- Share photos of wonderful native hedgerows
- Join a hedge/farm walk

Find out more ⬇️
bit.ly/44mFdfO

Welcome to #NoMowMay ! 🥳

Time to put away the lawnmower & let native wildflowers grow 🌼

This month, we'll be sharing No Mow May stories, tips on what to look out for in your lawn, & answering your questions on pollinator-friendly mowing

Get involved ➡️
pollinators.ie/no-mow-may/

Q: Which pollinator-friendly action would you recommend for our business site which has some land?
A: No Mow May (& lift cuttings) tinyurl.com/2d3zps9m.
Don’t forget signage/mown perimeter strip to indicate the management change. @Biodatacentre
#nomowmay #thebusinessofbees

Species #7: Holly Blue Butterfly

A small blue butterfly, that stays close to hedgerows that contain Holly and Ivy. It should be the only blue butterfly flying just now.

Record your sighting:
records.biodiversityireland.ie/record/biodive…

#farmlandbiodiversity
All-Ireland Pollinator Plan

It was lovely to celebrate #OchardBlossomDay Irish Seed Savers

Nice to see this busy Common Carder Bumblebee pollinating apple blossom, helping to ensure a good crop later in the year 🌸🐝🍎🍏

🎥 Ruth Wilson

#farmlandbiodiversity

We don't need much persuading to celebrate the humble Dandelion for #wildflowerhour

@biodatacentre records show this native wildflower was the most popular food source for bees on the island of Ireland in 2023

#DandelionChallenge #InternationalDayoftheDandelion
📷Cathal Noonan

🐝Pollinator of the week: Orange-legged Furrow Bee
🌼Plant of the week: Meadow buttercup
✅Action of the week: Get ready for No Mow May

Find out more about pollinators in April➡️ tinyurl.com/sm5yewuc

It's nearly #NoMowMay . Time to put away the lawnmower for a whole month & let native Irish wildflowers grow

But mowing less all summer is one of the best things you can do for pollinators. So why not try #LetItBloomJune & #HelpThemFlyJuly ?

More here➡️ tinyurl.com/36u9bjxz

What’s really in your 'wildflower' seed mix?

A new study by Noeleen of University College Dublin reveals only 25% of species in 7 common wildflower seed mixes are native to Ireland.

None of the packets gave details of where the seed was sourced

More here ➡️
tinyurl.com/42xu4jzf