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Pollinating London Together

@pollinatinglt.bsky.social
94 followers 34 following 155 posts

Pollinating London Together is a pan-Livery long term initiative set up to halt the decline of pollinators in the City of London and its immediate environs.

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Pollinating London Together @pollinatinglt.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
The Painted Lady is a great long-distance traveller. Every year, these butterflies migrate north from areas including North Africa, the Middle East and central Asia, travelling through Europe before reaching Britain and Ireland. #PollinatingLT
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Barbican Wildlife Group @barbicanwildlife.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Cyclamen and rose hips in the Garden.
Cyclamen growing in the ferneryAn abundance of rose hips
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Pollinating London Together @pollinatinglt.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Our 2026 pollinator surveys are well underway! We’re now around halfway through our fourth and final survey round. It’s still too early to reveal the full results, but we’ve already seen some species appearing in greater numbers than in previous years. #PollinatingLT
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Pollinating London Together @pollinatinglt.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Found a tired bee? Put down the honey! It might seem like the obvious thing to offer a struggling bee, but honey can contain pathogens that are harmful to bees. Instead, if a bee needs a helping hand, offer a little sugar water, or even better, place it somewhere on a flower. #PollinatingLT
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Pollinating London Together @pollinatinglt.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Species spotlight: Common Carder Bee Bombus pascuorum is one of the UK’s most familiar bumblebees but its appearance can be quite variable. Some individuals can look very similar to two much rarer species: the Brown-banded Carder Bee (B. humilis) and Moss Carder Bee (B. muscorum). #PollinatingLT
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Moira O'Donnell @naturelark.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
A big ol' Volucella zonaria on Buddleja at Langley Vale for #WildWebsWednesday. Excitingly there was also a Hummingbird Hawk-moth, but of course I didn't manage a picture of that.
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Pollinating London Together @pollinatinglt.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Discover Clerkenwell’s Pollinator Path! Join us on 22 September at 3pm for an afternoon exploring the links between plants, pollinators and people. We’ll visit two gardens, including St John’s ancient physic garden, and take a guided tour of the Museum of the Order of St John.
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Pollinating London Together @pollinatinglt.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Some of our most familiar butterflies, including peacocks and small tortoiseshells, depend on stinging nettles. Adult butterflies visit other plants for nectar, but their caterpillars need host plants. No nettles can mean fewer butterflies. #PollinatingLT
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Pollinating London Together @pollinatinglt.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
PLT is a charity, and donations help support the work we do for pollinators across London. From surveys and events to advice and education, every contribution helps us keep going. You can donate via our website. #PollinatingLT
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UK Pollinator Monitoring Scheme @pomscheme.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
It's been a bumper year for Humming-bird Hawk-moths, with over 8,000 sightings across the UK reported via iRecord so far. If you've not yet seen one yourself keep watching flowers (and doing FIT Counts!) and look out for their amazing hovering behaviour.
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Pollinating London Together @pollinatinglt.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
Hummingbird hawkmoths are not hummingbirds, and they’re not hawks either, they’re moths. You’d probably do a double take if you saw one of these hover at flowers, using their long tongues to feed on nectar. We’ve seen plenty this year, always a nice one to come across. #PollinatingLT
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Pollinating London Together @pollinatinglt.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
Have you ever tried a FIT Count? Flower-Insect Timed Counts are simple 10-minute surveys that help build a picture of which insects are visiting flowers, and where. They’re really easy to do and can be quite fun too! #PollinatingLT
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Barbican Wildlife Group @barbicanwildlife.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
In the Garden - Three-banded slug, species of Common Hoverfly and first sighting of a snake millipede.
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Barbican Wildlife Group @barbicanwildlife.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Snap
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Pollinating London Together @pollinatinglt.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Meet the Batman hoverfly: Myathropa florea. This striking hoverfly gets its common name from the dark, bat-like marking on its thorax. Once you’ve seen it, you won’t unsee it. #PollinatingLT
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Pollinating London Together @pollinatinglt.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
Seeing bumblebee queens again in late summer? In some species, a second generation may be emerging. Not every queen you spot is fresh out of hibernation, some are part of the next wave of summer activity. #PollinatingLT
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Pollinating London Together @pollinatinglt.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
Seen swarms of flying ants lately? Odds are its “flying ant day”, a natural mating event. While they don’t pollinate as well as bees do, ants do visit flowers! #PollinatingLT
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UK Pollinator Monitoring Scheme @pomscheme.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
Looking forward to kick starting #beesneedsweek2026 with @pollinatinglt.bsky.social and the City of London at this evening event discussing data and pollinators! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/data-and-p...
eventbrite.co.uk
Data and Pollinators: Evidence for Action
Join us in person to explore how data drives action to protect pollinators and our planet!
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Pollinating London Together @pollinatinglt.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
Not much longer left to wait! On 13th July, we’re holding our Annual Pollinator Count and Seminar. Join the count, hear about this year’s findings, and help shape the future of pollinator conservation in London. #PollinatingLT
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Pollinating London Together @pollinatinglt.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
Drought stresses plants and pollinators alike. Flowers produce less nectar during dry spells, though the sugar concentration can increase. This could mean that pollinators must work harder for fewer rewards. What changes have you noticed in your garden this summer? #PollinatingLT
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Pollinating London Together @pollinatinglt.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
On 13th July, we’re holding our Annual Pollinator Count and Seminar. Join the count, hear about this year’s findings, and help shape the future of pollinator conservation in London. #PollinatingLT
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Pollinating London Together @pollinatinglt.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
Spotted a spiky little bug on your plants? It might be a ladybird larva! They look totally different from adults but are great garden helpers, eating aphids by the dozen. #PollinatingLT
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Pollinating London Together @pollinatinglt.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Bees Needs Week is around the corner! It’s a great time to plant, learn, and act for our buzzing friends. Have a look on our website for tips and activities! #PollinatingLT
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Pollinating London Together @pollinatinglt.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
If you’ve spotted neat circular holes in your rose leaves, it could be the handiwork of a leafcutter bee. These bees cut leaf pieces to build their nests, building cells for an egg, pollen and nectar. A packed lunch for the next generation. #PollinatingLT
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Pollinating London Together @pollinatinglt.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Get ready for the Annual Pollinator Count 2026! On the 13th of July help us track the buzz and monitor pollinator health in London. #PollinatingLT
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UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) @ukceh.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
New podcast drop! Our next Counting the Earth, recorded at #RHSChelsea, dives into garden biodiversity, smart sensors, and how apps help everyone support wildlife. Explore the Big British Garden Survey and hear the soundscapes: audioboom.com/posts/8913661-back-ga…
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Pollinating London Together @pollinatinglt.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
What’s your favourite plant blooming right now? Share what’s on display in your garden or local park, we love hearing about your seasonal standouts! #PollinatingLT
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Pollinating London Together @pollinatinglt.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Did you know many hoverflies can be identified by a “spurious vein” on their wings? It isn’t a true vein, but a fold that looks like one. It’s a useful clue for recognising many UK hoverfly species. Though it might not be easy to see out and about! #PollinatingLT
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Pollinating London Together @pollinatinglt.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
Nasturtiums are a brilliant addition to wildlife-friendly gardens. Their bright flowers attract pollinators, and all parts of the plant are edible too. Beautiful, useful, and bee-friendly! #PollinatingLT
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Pollinating London Together @pollinatinglt.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
Did you know its World Bee Day today? Bees pollinate many of the plants we rely on for food and healthy ecosystems. Over the next few weeks, take a moment to notice the busy bees around you. #WorldBeeDay #PollinatingLT
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Pollinating London Together @pollinatinglt.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
Leafcutter bees are brilliant pollinators. Many species have males that sport enlarged front feet, used during courtship and mating. Keep an eye out for these bees in gardens and green spaces this spring, they are around! #PollinatingLT
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Greenspace Information for Greater London CIC @gigl-lerc.bsky.social · 09/05/2026
Session two is underway at #LDN2026 🌿A big thank you to Heather, Sarah and Elliot for their inspiring presentations! Topics from busy pollinators, to London Invasive Species Initiative, and rewilding! 🐌🌼 @pollinatinglt.bsky.social @citizenzoo.bsky.social #Rewilding #Pollinators #InvasiveSpecies
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Pollinating London Together @pollinatinglt.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
The Private Life of Plants (1995), presented by David Attenborough, reveals how flowers attract pollinators using colour, scent, and even deception. Episode 3, “Flowering” especially shows some interesting plant-pollinator interactions. #Attenborough100 #PollinatingLT
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Pollinating London Together @pollinatinglt.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
Life in the Undergrowth, presented by David Attenborough, explores the hidden world of invertebrates. It brings behaviours like bumblebee colony life and pollination into focus, showing processes we rarely get to see up close. #Attenborough100 #PollinatingLT
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Pollinating London Together @pollinatinglt.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
Sir David Attenborough is Vice-President of Fauna & Flora, a global conservation organisation working in 40+ countries to protect species and habitats. Their work includes supporting pollinators and the ecosystems they depend on. #Attenborough100 #PollinatingLT
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Greenspace Information for Greater London CIC @gigl-lerc.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
🐝 Speaker: Dr Heather Barrett‑Mold OBE LDN 2026 | 9th May - 4 days to go! We’re honoured to welcome Heather, who leads science and education work at PLT @pollinatinglt.bsky.social, to #LDN2026! Her talk will focus on “Promoting pollinators in the urban environment” 💚 #Pollinators #LondonWildlife
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Pollinating London Together @pollinatinglt.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
In the UK, most pollinators are insects, but in other parts of the world, vertebrates also do the job. The Green Planet shows how different ecosystems rely on very different pollinators, including some cool footage of pollinating bats. #Attenborough100 #PollinatingLT
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Pollinating London Together @pollinatinglt.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
Celebrating 100 years of Sir David Attenborough! A lifetime spent showing why nature matters and why protecting pollinators has never been more important. We’ll be sharing a few of his pollinator highlights this week. #Attenborough100 📸 DFAT / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 4.0
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Pollinating London Together @pollinatinglt.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
Some pollinators are more efficient at pollinating certain crops than the global default, the honeybee. That can be due to the location of the pollen collecting hairs. Megachilid (leafcutter) bees have them underneath the abdomen vs on the hind legs of a honeybee. #PollinatingLT
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Barbican Wildlife Group @barbicanwildlife.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
The Garden is awash with hawthorn and the ferns are uncurling!
Hawthorn flowering in one of the Garden’s two native hedges.Hawthorn behind the meadow pond.Hawthorn above the ivy slope.The ferns are uncurling in the fernery where dog-tooth violets have just finished flowering.
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Pollinating London Together @pollinatinglt.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
Not all roses are equal for pollinators. Open, simple flowers offer accessible pollen and nectar, while heavily bred double varieties often provide very little. Plant choice can make a real difference for pollinator support. #PollinatingLT
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Pollinating London Together @pollinatinglt.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
Spotted small mounds of soil on a path? You may have seen bee “tumuli”, little piles left behind when ground-nesting bees dig their nests. These ones here were found on a footpath in an apple orchard. #PollinatingLT
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Pollinating London Together @pollinatinglt.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
Pollinators are vital for food production. Around 1 in 3 bites we eat depends on them. That includes foods you might not expect, like chocolate and vanilla. Protecting pollinators means protecting our food systems. #PollinatingLT
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Pollinating London Together @pollinatinglt.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
Bee-flies (Bombylius major) are parasites of ground-nesting solitary bees. They lay eggs near nest entrances; once hatched, the larva sneaks inside and consumes the host’s food stores. Have you seen any this year? #PollinatingLT
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Pollinating London Together @pollinatinglt.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
That’s another great annual meeting wrapped up! Thanks to everyone who joined us, always a pleasure to catch up. We hope you left feeling inspired and connected, with fresh ideas to support pollinators. #PollinatingLT
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UK Pollinator Monitoring Scheme @pomscheme.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
Welcome to the new season for #pollinator FIT Counts! Our latest e-news was sent out this morning - read it here mailchi.mp/7e658beeba40... and subscribe at ukpoms.org.uk/subscribe As soon as the weather is warm enough we hope that you will enjoy watching and counting insects on flowers with us.
Two people carrying out a FIT Count in a flowery meadow, using a quadrat made out of tape to mark out the target flowers for the count. One person is using the FIT Count app, the other has a paper recording form on a clipboard.
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Pollinating London Together @pollinatinglt.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
Andrena bicolor is a teeny tiny solitary bee that you can spot early in the year. The females are about 9-11 mm! They are fairly common, and can have two generations per year. #PollinatingLT
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Pollinating London Together @pollinatinglt.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
Willow trees are a great source of pollen. Some bees, such as Andrena clarkella, exclusively visit willow flowers. Females of this species are slightly larger than a honeybee but look otherwise quite different. They’ve got a gingery thorax with black haired abdomen. #PollinatingLT
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Pollinating London Together @pollinatinglt.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
You can typically spot queens of the Early Bumblebee from March onwards. These common bees can be recognised by their orange bum and yellow bands. They are a relatively small species. Have you seen any this year? Picture: @gallenbees.bsky.social #PollinatingLT
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