Nature on our doorsteps: ‘No Mow May’

OF IRELAND’S 100 different bee species, at least one third of them are threatened with extinction.

Two species have already become extinct in the last 80 years, while 42 other species are not as commonly found as they once were.

The two main reasons behind the worrying decline in wild bee species are the loss of the habitats where bees need to feed and nest, and the widespread use of weed killers and insecticides.

The old flower-rich meadows that bees depend upon for food and nesting sites have been disappearing, especially in the last 50 years.

This is due to changing farming practices and the need for land for the development of housing and businesses.

Even humble daisies will be of interest to bees in search of pollen and nectar

In recent years, the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan has encouraged householders, community groups, County Councils and businesses to help restore flower-rich habitats.

The easiest way to do this is by not cutting the grass so often in our lawns, parks, roadside verges, and business parks.

Easing off on grass cutting, in the month of May in particular, allows grassland flowers such as Cowslips, Daisies, Dandelions, Buttercups, Speedwells, Bird’s-foot Trefoil, and Clovers to bloom.

These flowers will be visited not just by bees.

Butterflies and hoverflies will also welcome the additional supply of pollen and nectar.

The idea is to leave as much of the area uncut as possible.

In places where short grass is needed for access or for a neater appearance, a mown path through longer grass and flowers might work.

Smaller Clovers in particular will prefer recently mown paths where competition from grasses is lower.

By mowing less, we can give as many wildflowers as possible a chance to reappear naturally in our gardens and parks, at least in May when bees need a lot of pollen and nectar to feed their young.

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