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Great British Pollinator Highway

Seasonal guide

A year in nature.

There is always something happening outside. You do not need to do everything. Choose one thing, start there and notice what changes.

A gatekeeper butterfly resting among meadow flowers
A butterfly resting on a yellow flower

March to May

Spring

Watch life return.

What to look for
Early bumblebees, queen wasps, frogspawn, blossom and the first butterflies.
One thing you could do
Leave some dandelions and early flowers available while other nectar sources are scarce.
One thing to discover
Notice which flowers open first and which visitors find them.
  • • Sow a small patch of pollinator-friendly flowers
  • • Add a shallow water dish with landing stones
  • • Leave hollow stems until warmer weather
A dragonfly resting on a bright green leaf

June to August

Summer

See your plot at its busiest.

What to look for
Bees, butterflies, hoverflies, moths, beetles and flowers at their summer peak.
One thing you could do
Keep water topped up and allow at least one area to flower for as long as possible.
One thing to discover
Spend ten quiet minutes watching one flowering plant and record everything that visits.
  • • Let a small strip of grass grow
  • • Avoid pesticides
  • • Photograph the same view each month
A burnet moth resting on a purple flower

September to November

Autumn

Leave food and shelter behind.

What to look for
Late butterflies, seed heads, berries, fungi and insects seeking sheltered corners.
One thing you could do
Leave some seed heads and fallen leaves in place for food and cover.
One thing to discover
Look under leaves and around stems without disturbing anything that is settling for winter.
  • • Plant spring-flowering bulbs
  • • Make a small log or leaf pile
  • • Record the last pollinator visits of the year
A meadow of grasses and small white wildflowers

December to February

Winter

Look for what remains.

What to look for
Winter birds, evergreen shelter, seed heads, lichens and signs of animals passing through.
One thing you could do
Keep stems, leaves and quiet corners undisturbed until spring.
One thing to discover
Look at the shape of your plot and choose one small change for the year ahead.
  • • Plan a longer flowering season
  • • Clean water dishes regularly
  • • Add shelter without disturbing existing habitat
Explore the HighwaySee how it works