From late summer into autumn it is very important that pollinators still have a source of food. Many will need to fatten up before going into hibernation in the autumn. Garden plants like Lavender, Aster (photo) and Rudbeckia are great sources of pollen and nectar. 

2. To spot this month: keep an eye out for bumblebee males

There are lots of bumblebee males in flight at the minute. Males only fly for a short time each year. Once they emerge, they aren't allowed to live in the nest and instead have to fend for themselves. You might see them first thing in the morning hanging onto flowers (like Lavender) where they've spent the night. See our guide for how to identify common bumblebee males in Ireland: https://www.pollinators.ie/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/CommonBBmales_v1_lowres.pdf

We have had a lot of support from the business sector, with the number of companies agreeing to support the Plan and take action now exceeding 170, including Glanbia Ireland (photographed). We have decided to release regular short case studies outlining what different businesses are doing to help and are delighted that the first one profiled is Gannon Homes: https://pollinators.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Gannon-Homes-business-case-study-August-2019.pdf

Malahide Demesne and Talbot Botanical Gardens, is managed by Fingal County Council. They have invested a lot of work in making the grounds more pollinator-friendly in recent years, including protecting 37 acres of wildflower meadows, extensive native hedgerows, planting 45,000 pollinator-friendly bulbs; and elimination of pesticide use.
 
Category awards were also given to Tymon Park, South Dublin County Council for the Best Town Park; the Victorian Walled Kitchen Garden in Phoenix Park for Best Walled Garden; and a new Community Garden award went to Headford Community Orchard.

The Pollinator Award is jointly run with An Taisce Environmental Education to support the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan, and is kindly sponsored by Young’s Nurseries. 

'Actions for Pollinators' is an online mapping system where you can tell us what action you have taken to help. To see what's happened near you, or to log your own site please visit: https://pollinators.biodiversityireland.ie/