Orchards for pollinators: a new free flyer

We are delighted to release a new free resource: a flyer celebrating the importance of orchards to pollinators. 

 

Why are orchards important for pollinators?

Orchards are great habitats for pollinators such as wild bees and hoverflies. Fruit trees blossom early in the year, providing a vital source of food for them in the spring. At other times of the year, the area around the trees can offer them places to nest. 

By reducing mowing in your orchard, wildflowers will emerge naturally over time, providing even more food for pollinators and other insects. 

Bumblebees tend to forage within 1km of their nest, and solitary bees only within a few hundred metres. With ample food and nesting opportunities, orchards are the perfect environment for them. 

Planting just five fruit trees can make a difference, and in the autumn, you will reap the rewards with plenty of fresh, homegrown fruit. 

 

Who can I expect to find in my orchard?

There are over 100 different types of wild bee on the island of Ireland. Some common species you might see in orchards include the Early Mining Bee, Red Mason Bee, and the Tiger Hoverfly. 

You can keep track of the species visiting your orchard by doing a Flower-Insect-Timed (FIT) Count in the spring. Take a mindful ten minutes to watch the blossom and make a note of what visits. By submitting the results of your FIT Count to the National Biodiversity Data Centre, you can help us track the abundance of insects on the island. 

Find out more about FIT Counts, and how to download the free FIT Count app, here.

You can download the orchard flyer for free here, or from the resources page of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan website. 

 

Find out more:

Are you thinking of creating a new Traditional orchard on your farm?

Monaghan’s ‘Dispersed Urban Orchard’ for Pollinators

Pollinator-friendly grass cutting