St Andrews golf course gets new butterfly bank and meadow

A new butterfly bank and meadow area has been created at a golf course in St Andrews.
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It is the work of staff and volunteers from Fife Coast and Countryside Trust (FCCT) working with the Links Trust at the Castle Course - the newest addition to St Andrews Links..

A grant from Action Earth, allowed the purchase of Scottish native wildflower seeds - 26 different native species, the majority of which originate from Fife, with the remainder sourced from nearby counties.

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It includes the large purple-blue spikes of Viper’s Bugloss, and cream-coloured clouds of Meadowsweet.

Volunteers get to work at the golf courseVolunteers get to work at the golf course
Volunteers get to work at the golf course

When the flowers begin to bloom early next year, they will attract a wide variety of nectar

feeding invertebrates such as Buff-tailed Bumblebees, Small Tortoiseshell Butterflies and Six-Spot Burnet Moths.

As the year goes on, the flowers turning to seed, a new food source is provided for other animals such as Goldfinches and Field Voles.

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Dominic Rye, conservation officer, said: “Sowing the wildflower seed mix onto our newly created butterfly bank and meadow area, was the culmination of six months work, between the trusts and a team of volunteers.

Volunteers get to work at the golf courseVolunteers get to work at the golf course
Volunteers get to work at the golf course

“Working with the Links Trust to manage habitats and improve the biodiversity of the area is a vital part of our partnership.”

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Trevor Harris, deputy course manager, welcomed the creation of the butterfly bank and meadow.

He said: “We have a variety of habitats with large environmentally friendly areas, including a wet flush area that at the right time of year is covered with orchids.

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“This new meadow area with a second Butterfly Bank will be a fantastic addition.”

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