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By Dr Edward Straw, University College Dublin This blog is part of the ‘Dispatches from Researchers’ series, which features guest articles written by experts in pollination and related fields.   Bees are a beloved group of animals. Fuzzy, cute and … Continued

  It’s a perfect time of the year to celebrate our native hedgerows, as the early flowering Willow and Blackthorn fade, we are now being treated to an abundance of Hawthorn blossom. It’s a sure sign that spring is turning … Continued

I have a small urban garden. Each spring, lots of little bee visitors begin arriving. The first is always a big queen Buff-tailed bumblebee, usually popping in to feed on our Crocuses. After that a progression of different wild bees … Continued

It’s a great time of the year to check what native wildflowers are popping up around your farm, especially in areas where you are farming less intensely or in non-farmed areas. They’re vital for our wild bees and other pollinating … Continued

By Miriam Mooney Church of the Three Patrons parish, Rathgar   In the Autumn of 2020, the Church of the Three Patrons Rathgar Parish in Dublin, started a Biodiversity Garden. The inspiration came from the parish Laudato Si group, which … Continued

Less than six-months after the arrival of the Ivy Bee, another new solitary bee species has been spotted in Ireland.  The Hairy-footed Flower Bee (Anthophora plumipes) has migrated from Britain to set up home in Ireland for the first time. … Continued

It’s the perfect time of year to consider helping pollinators find nesting places on your farm. Creating good nesting places is simple and inexpensive. It is also completely safe; wild bees do not live in large colonies that need to … Continued

We’re often asked about the best ways to help our declining wild pollinators. Here are the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan’s top ten evidence-based actions you can take to help these important insects. If you’d prefer, you can watch our Top Ten … Continued

Sharon Casey, Ecologist at Cork County Council, tells us about their plans for pollinators.   Cork Council Council has recently prepared pollinator plans for land it manages in several towns around the county. Supported by the National Biodiversity Action Plan … Continued