Saving the small things that run the planet“Pollinators Along the Tweed” is a Buglife partnership project that aims to create a network of habitat for pollinating insects along the River Tweed B-Line by increasing and connecting the area of wildflower-rich habitat. Working with the local authority, landowners and communities, Pollinators Along the Tweed will create and restore 40 hectares (100 acres) of pollinator habitat across 50 sites.
Quick Facts:
Pollinators Along the Tweed will create a network of habitat for pollinating insects along the River Tweed B-Line by increasing and connecting the areas of wildflower-rich habitat.
Working with the local authority, landowners and communities, Pollinators Along the Tweed will create and restore 40 hectares (100 acres) of pollinator habitat across 50 sites.
Nectar and pollen sources will be boosted by the creation of wildflower-rich grassland and other flower-rich habitat, and nesting and egg-laying habitat will be created through insect banks, bee hotels and foodplant provision.
Many pollinators are in decline in Scotland. The River Tweed catchment is home to red-listed butterfly species including the threatened Northern Brown Argus (Aricia artaxerxes) and vulnerable Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary (Boloria selene). The Bilberry Bumblebee (Bombus monticola) is also found in the upper reaches of the Tweed. The nationally scarce hoverfly, Eriozona syrphoides, is found in the project area, a species with few records from the Scottish Borders.
An additional 40 hectares is expected to be enhanced through habitat management advice. Working in towns and villages and the wider countryside, Pollinators Along the Tweed will help restore habitat connectivity for pollinating insects.
Pollinators Along the Tweed will engage with the local authority, landowners and communities in the creation, management and monitoring of sites for pollinators.
Communities along the Tweed will discover and learn more about the Tweed’s pollinators, and how to monitor and protect them through citizen science, habitat creation and workshops.
As of May 2024, over 7 hectares of wildflower rich habitat has been created across 11 sites along the Tweed B-Line.
Pollinators Along the Tweed is part of Destination Tweed, a wider partnership project led by Tweed Forum delivering cultural, river and landscape enhancement projects along the River Tweed.
Buglife will be working with a range of partners, landowners and communities along the River Tweed, in Scotland and England. Partners include Scottish Borders Council, Borders Forest Trust, Norham Development Trust, English Heritage, Greener Melrose, Tweedsmuir Community Company, Peebles Golf Club and others.
You can get involved with Pollinators Along the Tweed through a series of volunteering opportunities including habitat creation, pollinator surveying, as well as workshops, walks and talks.
We are seeking volunteers to:
Information, advice and support is also available to landowners who would like to learn more about the project and improve their land for pollinators.
For more information on how to get involved with Pollinators Along the Tweed, please contact Conservation Officer, Kate O’Leary, at Kate.O’[email protected]
“Pollinators along the Tweed” is funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund, with match funding from Scottish Power Foundation, NatureScot, Milkywire, Fallago Environment Fund, Craignish Trust, Northumbrian Water, J & J R Wilson Trust and AEB Charitable Trust.
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