Strathmore B-Lines ~ People & Pollinators in Strathmore

What will the project do?

This two year Buglife B-Lines project will focus on combating the decline of pollinating insects in the Strathmore Valley, from Dunkeld, in Perth & Kinross, to Montrose, in Angus; the towns and villages of Alyth, Blairgowrie, Kirriemuir and Brechin will also benefit.

The Strathmore Valley, from Dunkeld to Montrose, currently supports a variety of fragmented pollinator habitats in the foothills of Highland Perthshire and Angus. The Strathmore B-Line crosses some of the most agriculturally intensive land in Scotland.

Through this project we will work with land managers and communities scattered along the B-Line to increase flower-rich habitat for pollinating insects; creating habitat corridors and stepping-stones which will enable them to freely disperse and re-colonise the area and surrounding landscape.

The Strathmore B-Lines project will support the recovery of threatened species including the Bilberry Bumblebee (Bombus monticola), the Near Threatened Small Blue Butterfly (Cupido minimus) and Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary (Boloria selene) whilst helping to restore abundant populations of insects that are essential for pollinating our crops and wildflowers.

How can you get involved?

Communities can get involved through a series of opportunities including volunteering, habitat creation events, training workshops and “Get Close to Nature” walks.

Information, advice and support is also available to landowners who would like to know more about the project, how they can be involved and how to improve their land for pollinators.

We will be seeking volunteers to:

• help out at habitat creation events, including supporting the planning and organising of events.
• assist with monitoring habitat creation works at sites for progress and
• monitoring of sites for pollinators.

For more information on how to get involved in our “Strathmore B-Lines ~ People & Pollinators in Strathmore” project please contact Claire Pumfrey (Conservation Officer – Scotland) at [email protected].