Bumble Bee feeding Ragwort flower heads ©Lorne Gill/SNH. For information on reproduction rights contact the Scottish Natural Heritage Image Library on Tel. 01738 444177 or www.nature.scot

Pollinators - resources

Find out more information and advice in this section

These are useful links to other web resources, information on our pollinator species, how to help with their management, and how to identify and record them.

Pollinator videos

Pollinator species

There a many different species of pollinators from bumblebees to moths and wasps. You can find out more in the Buglife Pollinators Identification guide.

Buglife’s Species Management Information Sheets provide information relating to several different types of bees
Bees, Wasps and Ants Recording Society (BWARS) have produced information sheets on a variety of bee species and on gardening for bees
The Wildlife Trusts Guide to Solitary Bees in Britain is a very good introduction to this group of pollinators
All about Hoverflies offers a useful introduction to the biology and ecology of these pollinators
Butterfly Conservation Scotland has identification guides and information on species and habitats
Butterfly Conservation's 'Moths Matter' campaign shows how moths are a part of pollination
UKmoths provides a picture guide to the moths of GB and Ireland
Wasps and hoverflies leaflet

Pollinators in Planning and Construction

We have a brief guide for the development sector providing information on how best to fit pollinators into the design and construction processes. The aim is to support high quality developments which benefit businesses and are compatible with nature. There are easy to follow steps to suit all project budgets, sizes and ambitions.

Pollinators in Planning and Construction guide

Gardening and Habitat management

Promoting pollination with bee houses
Wild bees of Scotland identification guide
Battleby Wildflower Meadow and Pollinator Trail leaflet
Planting for Pollinators leaflet
Buglife's Gardening for bumblebees and Gardening with bugs in mind contain much information on good practices, pollinator species and recommended plant species
BBCT's Bee kind tool helps gardeners to evaluate whether the flowers in their garden are bee friendly
RSPB’s Gardening for Wildlife information is great pollinators as well as other wildlife
The Wildlife Trusts also offer a range of wildlife gardening information and guidance
The All Ireland pollinator plan has supplied useful resources in the form of 'how to' guides
The Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH) has produced a practical guide: Habitat Creation and Management for Pollinators
Bumblee Conservation Trust’s Pollinator Advisory Sheets give advice on agriculture, gardens, industrial sites and green space, transport corridors, urban environment and woodlands
Buglife’s B-Lines Hub
Butterfly Conservation Gardening with butterflies and moths in mind
If you are managing a patch of land for pollinators by allowing the grass to grow you might want to let people know that you are managing the area for wildlife. Our downloadable sign will help provide this information.

If you are managing a patch of land for pollinators by allowing the grass to grow you might want to let people know that you are managing the area for wildlife. Our downloadable sign will help provide this information.

Farming

SRUC have the following top tips to help pollinators thrive on farms:

Leave rough areas, banks, hedges, dykes, ditches and field margins undisturbed to provide cover and shelter
Provide a diversity of plants to benefit a wide range of pollinating species and ensure a continuous supply of sugar-rich nectar and protein-rich pollen from March until September. Plants include clovers, vetches, Phacelia, knapweed, teasel and cornflower
Complete an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plan to ensure pesticide and fertiliser applications are minimised by using crop rotations, choosing resistant varieties and using pest thresholds.