No one can deny the importance of pollinators, not just to humans but to the persistence of nature as we know it. Yet, the gentle bumble of a bee and delicate flutter of butterfly wings as they gather nectar and pollen hardly conveys the magnitude of responsibility they hold.
In an ever-urbanising world we frequently see wildflowers stripped from the ground and replaced with neatly mown grass, green gardens overlaid by concrete patios, vast fields transformed into tarmacked estates… the list goes on. All of these activities greatly threaten our humble pollinators by reducing the number of flowers, and therefore quantity of valuable nectar, available to them.
One perfect example of what can be done to boost biodiversity and provide a vital lifeline to our struggling pollinators has been set by the ‘Friends of Portswood Rec’ group based at the Portswood Recreational Grounds in Southampton. Over the past few years, they have been striving to do everything possible to help their six-legged neighbours, and their work has certainly paid off! Earlier this year they were delighted to be one of 21 local community groups across the country to be named 2021's 'Bees' Needs Award Champions' - a well-deserved recognition of the significance of their efforts by DEFRA.
One of the group's first initiatives was to restore the flowerbeds which bordered the tennis courts and seating area to the south of the Rec. Previously overgrown and struggling, these beds now radiate a plethora of dazzling colours - from the fierce reds of Helenium and fuchsia to the delicate hues of hydrangea and butterfly bush. The group specifically designed these patches to favour pollinators by planting species certified by the Royal Horticultural Society as “perfect for pollinators” and by including a mixture of early and late blooming flowers to extend the flowering season as much as possible. In early spring, they rejoiced in their success as they began hearing the delightful buzz emitting from these beds and saw countless industrious insects bouncing between flower heads.
As well as restoring overcrowded flowerbeds, the group have also established new wildflower meadows, further expanding the reservoir of nectar available. Already, species such as meadow buttercup and various vetches have flowered in these meadows, bringing a taste of the countryside to the Rec's city-living species.
As part of their aim to boost bumblebee populations, the team also made several nesting sites in the form of upside-down flowerpots, the interiors of which are filled with dried grass and connected to the outside world by a bit of hose pipe (punctured to enable rainwater drainage). These ‘artificial nests’ are designed to replicate the natural nesting sites of bumblebee colonies – abandoned rodent holes – and are nestled at the heart of the flowerbeds bordering the seating area at the Rec, perfectly positioned to make trips out the nest as safe as possible.
As for solitary bee species, there is still plenty of choice for nesting sites! To support mason bee populations, a bug hotel was built by one of the volunteers which included holes of varying sizes to replicate the small cavities inhabited by different wild mason bee species. A single bee will occupy each chamber to lay a single egg before sealing the chamber entrance
to keep their larva safe. The bug hotel also includes compartments of leaf litter, logs, and stones, providing the perfect refuge for a wider range of wildlife such as woodlice and ladybirds. As for mining bees, a sunken planter was filled with a mixture of sand, gravel, and soil and then prodded with holes to provide the perfect, well-drained habitat which can be scarce across the rest of the Rec. It's safe to say the insects at the Rec won't have much difficulty getting their foot on the property ladder!
With the hot summer weather in mind, the group has also taken action to make sure the Rec's hard-working pollinators always have somewhere to hydrate themselves. The simple, yet effective, addition of a large saucer of water filled with small pebbles to allow comfortable drinking has already made a world of difference, especially given the scorching temperatures we've had over the past few weeks. Not only does this water provide a lifeline for pollinators; other animals such as beetles, mice, and even hedgehogs are also able to take advantage of this oasis thanks to the shallowness of the saucer.
While the group at the Rec have already made some amazing changes to help support their wild neighbours, they are always looking ahead to see what else can be done to promote nature in an ever-urbanising world. For example, they have recently worked with Southampton City Council to trial not using pesticides, with the hope of making the permanent switch to chemical-free gardening. This will not only promote a more biodiverse insect community, but will also reap ecosystem-wide, long-term benefits such as improved soil health.