Thrill of the Hill – Great Yellow Bumblebee

2017 saw the start of Scotland’s Pollinator Strategy, now in 2022 and half way through a ten-year plan, the role and importance of pollinators has only become more significant. Pollinators play an important role in the provision of ecosystem services across the country, impacting on biodiversity and productive farming in equal measure.

In episode twenty-five of the Thrill of the Hill series, the Farm Advisory Service (FAS) talks to The Bumblebee Conservation Trust’s Katy Malone about conservation efforts around the national priority species, great yellow bumblebee. We discuss the historic decline of the species, the current status of the species and the actions farmers can take to enhance their farms for biodiversity. Also up for discussion is the return of the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS) and use of insecticides.

Useful resources:

• Information note, based around giving a broad look at pollinator benefits and requirements
• A crofts and small farms video promoting pollinators and giving tips of habitat preferences and condition
• Technical Note 686 – Conservation Grazing of Semi-Natural Habitats, for those looking for advice on appropriate grazing densities for native habitats