Tinahely BEE Friendly – Tinahely Community Pollinator Plan 2020-2025

Image: Bombus-terrestris-buff-tailed-bumblebee. JaneVAdams

Tinahely BEE Friendly Community Pollinator Plan

IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN TINAHELY

THROUGH DEDICATED INVESTMENT IN OUR POLLINATORS

Tinahely BEE Friendly

2020-2025

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Foreward

As Chairperson of Tinahely Tidy Towns I am delighted to present our Tinahely Community Pollinator Plan (Tinahely BEE Friendly 2020-2025). The of involvement in Tinahely Tidy Towns activities we would be involvement of so many community people and groups has shown us that there is a genuine interest and deep rooted knowledge of the plight of our pollinating friends.

As you will read this is a living breathing plan which we will constantly modify and update, adding new projects and information. There are many more locations in Tinahely that are not included but rest assured they are not forgotten and as resources allow we will get to them. 

We are indebted to (Elaine Byrne, Damien Gilchrist and Sarah Nolan) of Tinahely Community Employment who put this document together.This has been a fantastic project for the participants of Tinahely Community Employment. They have learned so much from this process and all have developed a huge interest in not only pollinators but in our complete environment. In addition to those that took part in compiling the plan we have other participants who have completed course-work and achieved certification in Responsible Pesticide Use and Alternatives, Plant Identification Care and Maintenance, Establishing Trees and Shrubs and other related courses. This knowledge will be vital in preparing sites and in planting and maintaining wildflower planting areas.

We look forward to keeping you up to date as we progress over the lifetime of this plan and as we build on this document and involve other individuals, community groups and schools to enhance this vital environmental work. 

Thank you again to everyone who put so much hard work into producing this plan.

Yours Sincerely

Rory Mc Dermott

Rory Mc Dermott, Chairperson, Tinahely Tidy Towns.

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INTRODUCTION

Research has shown that around half of Ireland’s bee population has seen a substantial decline in numbers since the 1980s. About 30% of species are considered as threatened with extinction from Irish shores. Three of these bee species that inhabit Ireland are also close to extinction at a European level with an additional four extremely close to extinction levels. 

In Ireland, we have unfortunately reduced the areas where our pollinators nest as well as reducing the amount of food that our landscape provides for them. This is a call to arms. We can sit back and allow this to happen or we can take a stand and do something to change the fate of the species in danger. This is a war we need to wage for their very survival. A battle that needs to be won nationally by taking the fight locally. The All-Ireland Pollinator Plan is about us all coming together to do everything we can to ensure we create an island where our pollinators can survive and in turn thrive.

We have a plan on how we as a community can do this and as we work hand in hand with the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan, we aim to save our local pollinators and make a stand for our local wildlife.

ALL-IRELAND POLLINATOR PLAN

 The All-Ireland Pollinator Plan is aimed at bringing communities, farmers, local authorities, schools, gardeners, Faith communities and businesses, both north and south, together to create an Ireland where pollinators can survive and thrive and in turn enable us to produce better crops and flora. By helping us learn the importance of pollinators, we can protect them and their habitat. 

 The All-Ireland Pollinator Plan, was developed by the National Biodiversity Data Centre in Waterford, in consultation with Trinity College, Teagasc, environmental organisations and at least 15 government agencies. It has many tips and great advice for what plants to use to attract pollinators; to mowing guides and tips on how to get people involved. Improving on nesting sites, increasing food sources, policy changes in relation to pesticide use, hedge-row management and protection of wild flowers. We are aware that as this local plan is being drafted, a new National All Ireland Pollinator Plan 2020-2025 is near completion and publication. We will adopt any further recommendations it has for our community.

More information and link to these guides can be found at www.pollinators.ie

TINAHELY BEE FRIENDLY

Tinahely is a village in Co. Wicklow with a population of around 1000 people. It is situated in the valley of the Derry river, which rises south of Hacketstown and flows southeast through the village before turning south-west into neighbouring Shillelagh and on to the Slaney river. It is located on the R747 road, which links the south-west Wicklow town of Baltinglass with Arklow town on the east coast. The village sits on the southern point of the Wicklow Way, a 130 km way-marked trail that crosses the east side of the Wicklow Mountains from north to south.

 We, the community of Tinahely are now presenting to you our pollination plan – ‘Tinahely BEE Friendly’. This plan is designed to make a statement of our intent to work with our natural allies, the pollinators, to improve our natural environment and to do our bit to ensure the survival and good health of these species. We are working hard to address the issues that are leading to the decline of pollinators in our area. It is our hope that this plan will be adopted across all sectors of our community through awareness and education. We also hope that you in the community can both implement the ideas we have, as well as give us your feedback and ideas, as we strive to create a better future for Tinahely.

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POLLINATION

We have heard people recently talk about how important pollinators are and the various ways we can protect them. But what is pollination and why is it important?

What is pollination?

 To put it simply, pollination is the process that enables plants to reproduce. The flowers are fertilised with pollen which then allows seeds to develop, which then grow into new plants. “Pollen” is the male genetic material and is a coloured (from creamy white, to grey to yellow and even orange) powder found at the top of the male part of a flower. Pollen provides protein, an essential part of a pollinator’s diet similar to humans. Nectar provides the sugar or the energy. Some plants have more pollen and nectar than others.

 Flowers have both male and female parts. The male part is called a stamen and the female part is   made up of the stigma, style and ovary, making up the pistil. The stamen is a long stalk which has pollen at the end. The stigma, (a ‘landing pad’ for the pollen) is the centre part of the flower. The style, a small tube that runs down into the ovule which is hidden within the flower. The ovule is the part that holds the eggs which once pollinated will turn into seeds. While some flowers self-pollinate, meaning the pollen finds its own way into the ovule, for the most part flowers are cross-pollinated. This means they need the pollen from the same species of plant in order to reproduce.

Why is pollination so important to us and our wildlife?

There are many reasons but here are some:

• All plants that provide us with the colour and beauty in our landscapes are linked to the tourism sector and how we market Wicklow as ‘the Garden of Ireland.
• Our garden plants, our fruits and vegetables all depend on pollinating animals to move their pollens from plant to plant in order to reproduce and in turn ensuring their survival.
• Approximately 100 crop species that provide 90% of food worldwide, 71 of these are bee-pollinated.
• While some fruit are able to self-pollinate, when pollinated by animal i.e. cross- pollination, the crop is larger and better and even shelf life is greatly improved. This has a direct knock-on effect for farmer’s income and the reduction of food waste. 
• Our diet/health! – our five a day is tied up with getting a range of fruit. Vitamin A – 50 % of plants where we get vitamin A are from plants that are dependent on animal pollination. 
• 75% of all crops (majority of fruit veg, oil, nuts, spices COFFEE & COCOA pollinated by animals – mainly insects.
• Our wildlife is dependent on pollination. Wild fruit and berries form the main part of many wild birds and animals’ Autumn/Winter diets.  
• Pollination is important for the production and proliferation of many plant species that grow in our locality both wild and commercial.

Pollination is one of a range of vital eco-system services provided by biodiversity to us for free! Other ecosystem services include soil formation (worms), clean air (trees), flood protection (wetlands). Do we pay the trees? Do we pay our bees?

“Not a single bee has ever sent you an invoice. And that is part of the problem – because most of what comes to us from nature is free, because it is not invoiced, because it is not priced, because it is not traded in markets, we tend to ignore it.” Ref (Pavan Sukhdev (2010)

Studies have been completed to attempt to put a monetary value on these ecosystem services. In 2019 an EPA report, study completed by Trinity College/Prof Jane Stout) estimated that the value of animal pollination (mainly bees) to food production was worth €20-59 M

The economic value of some of the main crops grown in Ireland that are animal pollinated:

• Apples (eaters, cookers & cider) worth approx. €5M
• Strawberries €28M (indoor & outdoor)
• Blackcurrants €0.3M
• Raspberries €2.2M
• Tomatoes €6.9M
• Oil Seed Rape €4M

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TYPES OF POLLINATORS IN IRELAND

We would consider bees as being the most important pollinating insect because they visit flowers the most in order to collect food for their larvae as well as feeding on floral resources as adults. In short, a bee’s entire life cycle depends on its interaction with flowers and plants. Today, we have 99 species of bee in Ireland. There is 1 species of honeybee, 21 species of bumblebee and the other 77 species are solitary bees which means they don’t form colonies to live in.

But bees are not the only species that aid us in pollination. Flowering plants benefit from interactions with other animal pollinators like as insects such as wasps, butterflies and moths, hoverflies, and the more common flies.

HONEYBEES

 The honeybee is the only bee that produces honey that can be extracted to sell commercially. They live in colonies. Unlike other species of bees, the Queen honeybee will live longer than a year and worker bees can survive through harsh winters. The honey bee colonies are complex and through study we have found that each member has a different role to play within that colony such as scouts, pollen gatherers, guards, nurse bees, and so on.

BUMBLEBEES

 There are 21 species of bumblebee which can all be identified by their different colours and stripes. With bumblebees, the colonies are led by a large queen bee. It is usual to see her flying around in early spring, searching for a suitable spot to build the nest. Once a nest has been established her first job is to produce a batch of female worker bees. These bees will take up the job of rearing the larvae that will produce male bees and new queens. The following Spring, these queens will travel up to 5km in order to go on to create their own colonies, resulting in the cycle starting over again. Incidentally, bumblebees require suitable areas in order to nest, and are very sensitive to both the continuity as well as diversity of the types of pollen and nectar found in surrounding flowers. Experts suggest that their behaviour in and around an area is the best way to find indications of environmental changes in both the local and wider landscape. Bumblebees are very effective and essential pollinators. Indeed, they are the best at pollinating strawberries and tomatoes through their wing action.

SOLITARY BEES

 There are currently 77 different types of solitary bees in Ireland which make up about 90% of the bee population. Solitary bees build nests of their own: in hollow twigs, holes in wood and in tunnels in the ground, very commonly on south facing exposed earthen banks. They create “cells” in which they lay eggs and a nest which can contain numerous cells. Unlike their colony counterparts, solitary bees do not care for their larvae after the eggs are laid, but instead, they leave food which is a mixture of nectar and pollen. They are largely harmless.

HOVERFLIES

 Hoverflies or syrphid flies make up the insect family Syrphoidae. There are approximately 180 species of hoverfly in Ireland with the “Marmalade” variety being the most common and are regarded as an important pollinator on the Irish landscape. There is a fantastic variety of different shapes and sizes, as well as colouring and it is thought their darker colours mimic the colours of wasps and bees in order to scare off would be predators. Gardeners value the hoverflies for another benefit to their gardens and crops. Laying around 4500 eggs in its lifetime, they are welcomed into cereal crops, tomato and strawberry tunnels by growers who chose to not use toxic pesticides, as they are a fantastic way to control aphid colonies. The hoverfly lays its larvae in the heart of the colonies which once hatched, eat these aphid pests.

BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS

 Ireland has over 1000 species of moth while just 37 species of butterfly are resident on these shores. Gardens are the perfect place to watch butterflies, and hours can be passed observing these beautiful creatures floating from flower to flower. And contrary to belief, garden moths are very colourful too, with beautiful wing markings that at times rival those of butterflies. April to September is butterfly and moth season, and while moths are mostly seen at night, some can be seen during the day with their butterfly friends dancing from flower to flower to drink their nectar. They are great at transporting pollen over much greater distances than their bee and hoverfly counterparts.

FLIES

 Ireland has a wide variety of fly species with the most common being house flies, blow flies, cluster flies and mosquitoes. While the majority of us would look at these as nasty, disease ridden pests, when it comes to pollination, they are important because they will help to pollinate flowers and plants where ordinary pollinator species are low or absent altogether.

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PESTICIDES AND THE ELIMINATION OF THEIR USE

Pesticides are chemical substances specifically designed to deter or kill pests and insects that damage crops. Their uses are so common that the term pesticide is often seen as being synonymous with plant protection.

Pesticides are not recent inventions. In fact, many ancient civilizations used pesticides to protect their crops from insects and pests. Ancient Sumerians used sulphur. Medieval farmers experimented with arsenic and lead. The Chinese used compounds made of arsenic and mercury. And the Greeks and Romans used oil, ash and sulphur among other things to try and protect their crops and livestock. During the 19^th century, research focused more on natural techniques involving chrysanthemums and the roots of tropical fruits and vegetables. 

 In 1939, Dichloro-Diphenyl-Trichloroethane or DDT was discovered. It was extremely effective and rapidly became the most used form of pesticide in the world. However, almost 20 years later DDT was banned in over 86 countries due to biological effects and human safety.

Pesticides have had a devastating effect on honeybees and wild pollinators. The majority of pesticides used on lawns and gardens or agriculture are known to be extremely hazardous to bees with some killing them outright and others having subtle effects which reduce bee’s ability to thrive.

 It is also known that widely used chemical glyphosate is decimating the worm population. This is of huge concern as the worm is crucial to maintaining good soil fertility and condition. However, we are aware that in some situations there may be a need after careful consideration to use a glyphosate herbicide in the removal of invasive species for example Japanese Knotweed.

 The National Pollinator Plan has identified the elimination of pesticide use as an important means of protecting and assisting pollinators in both their jobs and in their very survival. While working with Tinahely Community Employment CLG we have come to an agreement whereby the use of any pesticide will not be used as part of the scheme. Regular weeding and pair planting are an effective and ecological way of deterring pests. 

Participants on Tinahely Community Employment CLG are provided with training in proper pesticide use. However, they are trained in many ways of controlling weeds and pests without the use of pesticides or weed killers. Wire yard brushes and hoes are used to control weeds along the areas they work on. Participants are also trained in the use of other tools, which helps aid the survival of our pollinator friends.

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GRASS CUTTING PLAN

 We as humans have fallen into a way of life where we manage our grass, both public and private, as if the grass was a golf green! – flat, manicured and tidy. And while the “manicured look” looks great to us; to our wildlife it looks more equivalent to an apocalyptic landscape – barren and desolate. It is important that we do our best to move away from what we have become familiar with and allow our grass and flowers to grow. Cutting less often allows plants to flower and bloom in grassy areas, which in turn provides vital nectar and pollen food sources for insects throughout the year, and in turn native grass and flower seed for other wildlife Indeed, native wild grasses are important for many moths and butterflies (e.g. the Brown butterflies e.g. the Meadow Brown butterfly) for their larval stages.

 Our plan is to identify and catalogue all the areas where we maintain grass. A cutting plan will be formulated that is sympathetic to the needs of pollinators. While the margins of selected areas will be maintained regularly to allow for neat edges, the main areas will be allowed to grow, and plants will be allowed to grow and flower that bit longer. At the end of the flowering season, grass areas will be cut back and a more regular maintenance plan will take over until the following years’ flowering season begins once again. All grass cuttings will be removed to lower the fertility of the sod and thus encouraging more wildflowers to succeed.

These actions are being taken in order to provide the support our pollinators need to thrive and to make space for nature. This approach assists in developing a network throughout the area which allows wildlife to move around built up areas while offering interesting and beautiful colour changes in our green spaces.

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PLANNING

Our plan for the next 5 years will include:

• Increasing public awareness as well as local engagement (with residents, local national schools, crèches, business etc) to increase support for further pollinator and wildlife work.
• Expanding biodiversity.
• Improving local environments which we hope will aid in the benefits of health and wellbeing as well as enjoyment for both locals and visiting tourists.
• Improving local access to nature by bringing nature to the heart of local green spaces.
• Potential financial savings on the management and upkeep of local green spaces.
• Development and improvement of local green infrastructure with the advice of experts.
• Improving food production and horticulture in the locality through the avoidance of a pollination deficit.
• Ensuring local habitats as well as locally threatened species are protected.
• The mapping of existing local habitats as well as identification of land where new habitats can be created.
• To create an infrastructure to enable wildlife and pollinators to move around urban areas.
• We will look at what other communities have done to help pollinators and explore how we can introduce and/or adapt these to suit our needs. E.g. Monaghan Town declared itself the first pollinator friendly town.
• Encourage and support members of the community to learn more and participate in citizens science initiatives such as submitting sightings of pollinators and native wildflowers.
• Encourage community members to take part in the Bumble Bee Monitoring Scheme.
• We will use social media to engage with community members, voluntary groups and commercial entities to promote our plan and bring awareness on how individuals and groups can work to safeguard and encourage pollinators.
• We would also encourage people to take photos as the seasons progress of all improved areas and send them to our Tidy Towns Facebook page.
• During the life time of this plan we will explore how we can include and accept native flowers and trees (some which can be termed as weeds) that are of huge importance to our pollinators, remain in some managed areas. These and similar plants on the village edge need to be managed sensitively but at the same time prevented them from taking over.  A bramble/willow/dandelion management plan for Tinahely could augment this larger plan.
• We plan to investigate and discuss with local councillors whether it is viable to develop other areas such as around the community hall, the health clinic and around the Fairgreen areas into pollinator areas.
• We will investigate if there are environmental schemes or grants for farmers to take up to help promote biodiversity on their land and reduce the use of pesticides.

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CURRENT PROJECTS AND FUTURE ACTIONS

In September 2019, we conducted a survey of potential sites and infrastructure for development under the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan. Our main goal was to identify suitable areas that we would be able to work on to enhance the quality of both plant life and wildlife, while also being able to plan for the proper maintenance and upkeep of these areas. At the very top of the agenda we decided that all current and future work was to be carried out in a manner sympathetic to the needs of pollinators and wildlife in the area.

HACKETSTOWN ROAD FLOWERBED

The Hacketstown Road flowerbed, located on the outskirts of Tinahely on the Hacketstown Road R747 (known locally as ‘The Turn’) has been in existence for over 30 years. The site had become very over-grown, with old plants and weeds which were of no value to pollination, as well as being an eye sore to the area. With work starting early in October 2019, it was the first big project taken on as part of our pollination plan to completely renovate the flowerbed, by removing all the old plants and weeds and introducing good quality flowers, plants and trees to attract pollinators to the area. The work finished later the same month and has been maintained regularly ever since.

Future Plans For The Area:

We will monitor this site to establish if more pollinators are coming to this site. Identify the flowers which are favoured. We will provide permanent labelling for the good pollinator friendly plants e.g. Lavender, Verbena and Rudbeckia. 

THE SHRUB WELL

The Shrub Well on the R747 Road on the eastern outskirts of the town had become quite ragged and unkempt over recent years.  We have put in place a planter provided by the Tinahely Men’s Shed and also replaced a dead tree with an upright Hornbeam. We have also planted a Hawthorn hedge around the fenced boundary to the rear of the area. This work should provide a source of food and refuge for pollinators as well as being pleasing to the eye for the many passing walkers.

Future Plans For The Area:

We will monitor this site to see if pollinator friendly planting results in an increase in insects. We will provide permanent labelling on permanent pollinator friendly plants. We will also study resources on how to sustainably maintain a pollinator native hedge while allowing pollinators to thrive.

ST. KEVINS CHURCH, KILAVENY

Situated in the townland of Kilaveny, St. Kevins Church was built in 1843. We cleaned up the area cutting back the hedge and placed one of the planters from Tinahely Men’s Shed to encourage flower growth and pollinators to the area.

Future Plans For The Area:

We will monitor this site to see if pollinator friendly planting results in an increase in insects. We will provide permanent labelling on permanent pollinator friendly plants. We will also look into planting pollinator friendly perennials ideally for sustainability and year round colour.

BRIDGE STREET

The area around the bridge on Bridge Street was over run and wild with weeds. The areas was cleaned and tidied and flowers and planters have been placed on top of the wall of the bridge. There are ideas currently being discussed for future upgrades!

Future Plans For The Area:

We will look to work alongside the River Derry Bubbles Project which is a catchments based project focusing on our local river. The project aims to raise awareness of the benefits and issues of the local catchment. Working together we can raise awareness for two very important projects.

For more information on the River Derry Bubbles Project please go to the following websites:

https://www.facebook.com/River-Derry-Bubbles-Project-105515197889480/

River Derry Bubbles Project

KILCOMMON VIEW CARPARK

This carpark is situated on the R749 Road that leads to Shillelagh. The area had become wildly overgrown with brambles and weeds and is regularly maintained and cut by members of Tinahely Community Employment CLG.

Future Plans For The Area: 

We will identify the native plants that provide essential food, nesting and refuge in this area. We will identify other suitable native plants that might augment the local biodiversity value and at the same time add extra colour for residents. We acknowledge that this area is beside a more rural part of Tinahely and needs to be treated sensitively and in keeping with the local hedgerows and farmland.

DERRY DRIVE FLOWERBED

The area at the Derry Drive flowerbed was full of dead plants, overgrown weeds and brambles and was basically in a state of disrepair. We completely reclaimed and cleaned the flowerbed, planting new flowers and plants with the view to increasing pollination and flowering to the area.

Future Plans For The Area:

Our plan is to monitor this site to see if pollinator friendly planting results in an increase in insects. We will also provide more permanent labelling on our pollinator friendly plants.

THE RAILWAY WALK PICNIC AREA

The Railway Walk has been renovated and turned into a beautiful picnic area which is enjoyed by both tourists and locals all year round.

Future Plans For The Area:

We will look to erect signs to state that the area is managed for the purpose of increasing pollinators and for people to be aware of that. We also plan to discuss the idea of planting spring flowering pollinator friendly bulbs such as Crocus or native Bluebells. 

R747 ROAD PICNIC AREA

The picnic area has been cut and maintained regularly over the years. From an earlier Tinahely Tidy Towns plan, it was estimated that there is already an excellent selection of common but valuable native wildflower species, e.g. vetches, knapweed, and birds foot trefoil in this area that just need a bit of help and support from us. 

Future Plans For The Area: 

We have identified the picnic area as our next project. The idea is to create a habitat in accordance with the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan with the planting of more wildflowers and plants, to increase pollinator numbers to the area. We shall be moving the current seating area to a smaller area of the site to allow for a greater mass of area to be reclaimed for local flora and fauna. 

OTHER AREAS

We plan to sow wildflowers in green areas around the town such as the hedges along School Road, the bank at Tinahely Men’s Shed, the roadside along ‘The Long Hill’ at Lugduff as well as placing more planters in various areas around the town. These plans will follow all guidelines as laid out by the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan.

HANGING BASKETS & PLANTERS

Throughout the town, we have a number of hanging baskets and planters. We will use these to plant good quality native pollinator perennial plants. We will encourage all the business to get involved with their own baskets and planters.

We also have a number of planters throughout the town, some of which were kindly made for us by the members of the Tinahely Men’s Shed.

TINAHELY BEE FRIENDLY AND OUR WIDER ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

As a community we are aware that the Climate Crisis is one of the biggest threats impacting on Biodiversity. We are aware that our Peatlands are important carbon sinks, indeed the second best after our oceans at storing carbon. And in their own right, the protected peatland areas have their own special and rare important pollinators. For this reason we will endeavour to use peat free or reduced peat compost in our baskets and containers.

We will develop our capacity to harvest rainwater as a means of irrigating our plants and providing water for projects throughout our community area. This process has already begun in our new purpose built recycling facility. We will encourage all community members to follow this example and we hope to provide help and advice to those who wish to follow our lead.

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TINAHELY BEE FRIENDLY PLANTS

Herbaceous Perennials & Alpines

Achillea native & garden varieties

Angelica sylvestris – wild angelica

Armeria – sea thrift

Agastache

Ajuga sps – many varieties / shade tolerant

Aubrietia – blue shades are best

Allysum saxatile

Eryngium – sea thistle and garden varieties

Echinops – globe thistle

Echium – excellent for bees and long flowering – good on dry bare ground

Dahlias – single open flower e.g. the Bishop series

Bergenia – elephant ears, with evergreen leaves

Calendula

Campunula – ground covers and tall varieties

Geraniums Cranesbill e.g. Johnson’s Blue (not Pelargoniums)

Primula sps (avoid double varieties) native and garden varieties

Erysimum –perennial wallflower, very good for butterflies

Helleborus – good for early emerging queen bees in Spring

Eupatorium – hemp agrimony

Gaillardia

Lamium – dead nettle – native and garden varieties

Helianthemum – rock rose

Pulmonarias shade tolerant & Comfreys (good in the veg garden)

Silene – red campion

Scabious group – native and garden varieities

Thistle group native and garden varieities

Viola Bt – perennial and annuals

Kniphophia – red hot pokers

Verbascum – good for Butterflies

Daisy type flowers are excellent ‘all rounders’ providing nectar and pollen

Valerian

Sedum group ground covers and taller varieties

Dianthus – sweet William Bt

Verbena

Wild native grasses important for the Brown Butterflies

Annuals

Nasturtium

Ageratum

Viola

Santivalia

Diascia (tender perennial – might survive an Irish Winter)

Nemesia (tender perennial – might survive an Irish Winter)

Bulbs

Alliums sps

Agapanthus

Crocus

Muscari – grape hyacinth

Iris

Hyacinths

Shrubs

Viburnum opulus – guilder rose – native, berries, Autumn colour

Viburnum davidii is low growing and spreads out, evergreen and has berries

Rosa sps – single open flower, flowers and rose hips, Autumn colour

Chaenomeles – quince, fruiting, early Spring flower

Berberis – many varieties including small low growing Spring flowers & Autumn berries

Caryopteris loved by butterflies and bees

Buddleia both davidii and globose, great for butterflies. Dwarf variety now available

Ribes – flowering currant, early flower, common hedging plant, great for early Queen bees

Hebe – shrubby veronica – many varieties

Myrtle – large shrub loved by bees, late flowering

Heathers! Watch your soil type – Erica darleyensis and carnea ok in alkaline soils – Winter/Spring

flowers – deep pinks and purples best

Lonicera pileata – good ground cover, evergreen,

Hedgerow plants

Hawthorn

Blackthorn

Honeysuckle

Dog rose

Willow

Hazel

Ivy – vital for last feed for most pollinators in late Autumn

Holly

Oak

Sorbus

Crab apple

Ground flora ‘in the ditch’ e.g. viola, yarrow, knapweeds, vetches, willowherbs, foxgloves etc. Some of

these essential larval food for butterflies e.g. Viola

Herbs excellent for pollinators

Mints – can take over beware

Sages – all types can be a bit tender but great garden/container plants

Lavenders – English is best.

Rosemarys – prostrate and upright

Fennels

Borage – very melliferous! – good companion plant in the veg garden

Catmint – Nepeta

Comfrey – good in veg garden make liquid feed

Chives see Alliums

Marjorams & Origanums – wild native sps

Tanacetum – feverfew good

Thymes

Climbers

Hedera – ivy

Single roses and native dog rose

Lonicera – honeysuckle – native sps

Hydrangea petiolaris – good on North facing wall

Boston ivy

Clematis single flower

Larval food of Butterflies

Wildflowers in the cabbage family:

• Cuckoo flower/Lady’s smock Cardamine sps

• Wild garlic mustard Alliaria

• Sweet rocket / Dame’s violet Hesperis sp

Nettles essential for mmany butterflies as larval stages

Bird’s foot trefoil for the Blue butterfly

Also the wild vetches e.g. kidney vetch

Lunaria Honesty Orange tip butterfly

Myosotis Forget me not

Viola sps esp Dog violet for fritillary butterfly

Ilex holly tree esp for Holly blue Bt

Devil’s Bit Scabious – marsh fritilary

THANK YOU

We would like to say a special thank you to the following people for their hard work and efforts in putting this plan together. We are sure that our plan will have a very positive impact on the survival of our pollinators but will also go a long way to improving our environment and make Tinahely a better place to live.

David Murray & Patrick Power – Supervisors, Tinahely Community Employment 

Lorraine Fox – Secretary Tinahely Tidy Towns

Sarah Rubalcava– Rubalcava Heritage Services, Horticulturalist, M.A.Environmental Resource Management & Member of Tinahely Tidy Towns Committee http://rubalcavaheritageservices.com

Bruce Copeland, Andy Best & Michael Darcy– Local Bee Keepers

Ann Kelly – Community Member

Eddie Hogan – Tinahely Mens Shed

Kieran O’Toole – Tinahely Courthouse Arts Centre

Clair Louise & Paul Hendrick – The Bee Sanctuary of Ireland, (The only Native Wild Bee Sanctuary in the world)   www.thebeesanctuaryofireland.com

Also, a special thank you to the volunteers and members of the community who have put so much effort into doing the work needed to redevelop and maintain the various projects and areas and for the future projects that we have planned.

FURTHER INFORMATION & READING

For more information on the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan, for tips and guides on pollinators, their

identification and their habitats and how we can do our part then visit the following sites:

www.pollinators.ie

www.biodiversityireland.ie

www.irishbeekeepersassociation.com

www.nihbs.org

www.wildflowers.ie

www.irishbutterflies.com

www.bsbi.org

References

Pavan Sukhdev, Heidi Wittmer, Christoph Schröter-Schlaack, Carsten Nesshöver, Joshua Bishop, Patrick ten Brink, Haripriya Gundimeda, Pushpam Kumar and Ben Simmons. The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity, United nations report 2010, ISBN 978-3-9813410-3-4, Layouted by www.dieaktivisten.de | Printed by Progress Press, Malta