Even the most intensively played golf courses can find space for environmental habitat creation “The Operation Pollinator trials will
provide information and practical expertise on how best to create, improve and manage quality habitats for bumblebees in out of play areas on the golf course,” he added.
Get to grips with rough
Operation Pollinator could offer a solution to managing rough more effectively for BIGGA Master Greenkeeper, Daniel Lightfoot, course manager at Bearwood Lakes in Berkshire. Many of the holes on the immaculately maintained parkland course are defined by areas of carefully placed and managed rough grasses, designed to be both visually appealing and challenging for golfers. But, with dense ryegrass, Timothy and
Yorkshire Fog dominating the rough grass mixtures, any ball that misses the fairway could be permanently lost or, at very least, take an age to find. “We are keen to get back to rough areas with a greater proportion of light fescue grasses, which will retain the renowned characteristics of the course, but pose fewer problems for the players,” says Daniel. “If it can incorporate wildflowers without detracting from the playing conditions, then it could have an environmental benefit too.” One of the treatments under evaluation in the Operation Pollinator trial is a
selective herbicide designed to control aggressive grasses, which could allow wildflowers sown into the fescue mixes to establish successfully. Daniel adds “We are keen to integrate
environmental features onto the course where possible, providing it does not impinge on the quality of the golf offered. For most members, the golf is paramount, but that doesn’t mean that we cannot do things which can benefit both the ecology and the environment in which they are playing.” “The
Bumblebee Background
Operation Pollinator trial will give us a science- based
indication of what can be achieved, and how best to make use of the techniques.”
Bumblebees face a very uncertain future in the UK. One of the twenty species previously found has disappeared altogether, and three more are on the verge of extinction. Total bumblebee numbers have declined by over 70% in just the last twenty years, due to the loss of suitable habitats.
Creating more open wildflower rich areas of grassland will put back vital pollen and nectar rich sources for bumblebees. Encouraging the right kinds of wildflowers will be the key to longer term survival of these important species.
Areas of bumblebee habitat need not be large; experts have calculated that just 0.1 of a hectare per 100 hectares can make a significant difference to bumblebee numbers.
Daniel Lightfoot
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