Beasties, Bugs, Butterflies, Bees and Birds

Earthworms are vital for soil health and fertility. They are also a food source for various animals, mostly birds

They generally prefer less acidic soil conditions, at the orchard the soil pH varies so we would expect to see differences in population density at different parts of the site.

By caring for our soil we hope to encourage more earthworms to look after the would in the long term and to feed our birds.
Ted Ed Video- Vericomposting

Some times called 'Slaters' these important decomposers feed off dead plants and creatures, recycling vital nutrients into the soil

For more interesting facts about woodlice check out this page from the Woodland Trust

Scotland has the UK strongholds for at least three species of dung beetle -

• Aphodius fasciatus, 

• Aphodius lapponum and

•  Aphodius nemoralis. 

The Cairngorms and the Western Isles are among the best recorded areas for the creatures, but large parts of the rest of Scotland remain unrecorded.

We often see deer and rabit faeces at the orchard and the dung beetles ensure these make their way into the soil

To find out more about their important work follow the links below

Alarming Trend in the decline of Dung Beetles BBC article

Why isn't the world covered in poop - Video

Gastropod means ‘belly feet’, which reflects how slugs and snails move by creeping on their undersides.

There are about 45 British slug species, around half of which are seen in gardens in Scotland. A mature garden may also be home to an interesting range of snails.

Slugs have evolved from snails through the loss of their shell. They’re more susceptible to desiccation since they lack a convenient shell to hide in when times get tough. But slugs can protect themselves, to an extent, with mucus.

Slugs and snails are usually considered garden pests, though most prefer a diet of decaying plant matter to living plants. So tidy gardens may suffer more damage than those with dead vegetation lying around.

Slugs and snails are beneficial in gardens as many slugs and snails are recyclers, feeding on dead leaves, dung and even dead animals
They are also an important food source for other garden wildlife, including, birds, beetles and reptiles
Slugs and snails are gastropods; a type of mollusc. Molluscs can attract other wildlife to your garden, as they’re a good source of food for:
frogs, toads, hedgehogs, shrews,slow worm, thrushes

learn more about Bumble Bee Conservation

check out the details of the main month species foung in the Cairngorms

Another minibeast that loves Pollen is Wasps  the need a lot of energy so they search for flower nectar. Wasps are not as hairy as bees, so pollen does not stick to them as easily, but they are still important pollinators.

 If you get stung by a wasp then vinegar will help very quickly.

Solitary bees don't travel very far, most forage up to 500 metres from their nest and some as little as 100 metres.

They gather pollen to feed to their offspring, The grains of pollen stick to a pollen brush, or scopa, which can be on the legs or under their belly

Many species of beetles eat pollen.
For pollen beetles, pollen is their main diet. For others, it is a tasty snack, Ladybirds supplement their usual carnivorous diet of aphids with pollen.

Beetle-pollinated flowers tend to make extra pollen so there is some left over to be carried to another flower on the beetle's body.

The flowers tend to be smelly or fragrant, because beetles navigate by a strong sense of smell.
Beetles are attracted to flat, open flowers, which allow them to graze, and flowers in clusters, such as cow parsley.

About 1000 species of beetles in the UK are pollinators

Many birds are attracted to the nectar and fruits of certain plants, and they can transport seeds in their droppings or by carrying them on their feathers. 

 Insects, like bees and butterflies, can also be seed dispersers.
Some insects can carry seeds on their bodies or in their nests. 

Small mammals, like bats, voles and mice, can consume seeds and deposit them in new locations through their droppings or by nesting in areas with wildflowers.

Human Activity:

• • Accidental Dispersal: Humans can unintentionally contribute to seed dispersal through activities like walking through areas with wildflowers.

  • Deliberate Planting: Intentional planting of wildflowers in orchards can also introduce new species and increase the overall biodiversity of the ecosystem.

Earwigs will help reduce pests including, codling moth and woolly apple aphid.

We clipped earwig refuges into the canopy of the fruit trees to provide shelter for a range of natural enemies. The Wig nests ensured earwigs were foraging in the canopy of the trees when feeding at night.

Our friend the Hoverfly is a defender too
Hoverflies lay eggs in aphid colonies and contribute to control.
Attractants can bring these highly mobile insects in from surrounding areas.
Hoverflies and lacewings in the canopy of apple trees help control aphids and we love Spiders, especially money spiders.