Can you spot the one fly in Ireland that uses the tough leaf of Holly for part of its’ life cycle. Holly makes an attractive small tree, the berries are valued by wildlife, especially by birds and small mammals in winter. ➡️ bit.ly/48UJp72 #farmlandbiodiversity

A distinctive species seen in the winter months. Fungi are responsible for a range of key ecological functions, including nutrient cycling, water uptake by plants and soil health and formation. To find out more ➡️ bit.ly/4a4dSRD #farmlandbiodiveristy

Jelly fungus feeds on rotten wood (saprotrophic). Typically found growing on Gorse, Hazel and other deadwood. Beneficial fungi decompose dead organic material, break it down into humus, minerals and nutrient resources, utilised by plants. Info➡️ bit.ly/48UJp72

Species # 37: Fieldfare Winter visitors from Scandinavia and Russia, they feed on worms and grubs from soft ground and haws and other berries from the hedgerows. To find out more or record your sightings, go to bit.ly/48UJp72 @PollinatorPlan #FarmlandBiodiversity

Keep your eyes peeled for this ball of red branched hairs, where the Bedeguar Gall Wasp causes the gall, as a home for their larvae on Dog rose. Add some Dog Rose plants to native hedgerows. Find out more: bit.ly/48UJp72 #farmlandbiodiversity

Keep an eye out for the beautiful Irish hare on the farm. Usually more active at night, so dawn and dusk are good times to spot them. They lie low during the day, where they have some cover, only moving if disturbed. Find out more - bit.ly/4a4dSRD #FarmlandBiodiversity

Small bracket fungi, the fruiting body of a white rot fungus that grow on wood, an essential part of the nutrient cycle. Fallen and standing deadwood play an important role in woods and hedges; supporting the nutrient cycle, soil and wildlife. #farmlandbiodiversity

Bullfinch can be difficult to see, but the white rump flash is a good identification feature, as well as its mournful ‘pheew’ call. Thick hedgerows with good cover are ideal for the Bullfinch and a mix of native tree and shrub species. Find out more bit.ly/48UJp72

Species # 32: Devil’s Coach-horse beetle This stunning rove beetle has a scorpion-like posture when threatened. A powerful predator of insects and feeds on slugs, woodlice, caterpillars and worms. Record sightings➡️ go to our website and search for Biodiversity on your Farm'

Biodiversity Tip No. 31 Hoverflies need a constant supply of food, common native plants like Bramble are a great food supply for pollinators. To find out more ➡️bit.ly/48UJp72 @PollinatorPlan #FarmlandBiodiversity

Species # 31: Marmalade hoverfly They are our most common hoverfly and a well-known aphid predator. They become very common in late summer when numbers can increase. Record your sightings ➡️bit.ly/4a4dSRD #farmlandbiodiversity

Biodiversity Tip No. 30 Source local provenance tree species. They will help to promote adaptation and resilience, and reduce pest and disease risk from imported seeds, saplings and trees. Find out more here bit.ly/48UJp72 #farmlandbiodiversity

Species #30: Spindle It’s the perfect time of year to look for this small native tree on the farm. They have dramatic pink fruits with bright orange seeds and autumn leaf colour ranging from yellow-green to red-purple. Record your sightings here bit.ly/4a4dSRD

Species # 29: Garden spider An orb weaver spider and one of our most common. Easy to spot at this time of the year, when they are fully grown and create wonderful webs of silk to catch flying insects, including pest species. Record your sightings ➡️bit.ly/4a4dSRD

Biodiversity Tip No. 28 Ivy is in flower in late summer/early winter and insects gather to feed on this vital food supply, as many other plants have finished flowering. @PollinatorPlan #FarmlandBiodiversity

Species #28: Buff-tailed bumblebee Keep your eyes peeled for these huge queen bumblebees just now. They are the new queens and will be feeding up before going into hibernation for the winter. Record your sightings and find out more here: bit.ly/48UJp72

Species #27: Common Kestrel Usually spotted hovering with a fanned tail, along linear features such as hedgerows, where they hunt for their prey in rough grass. Don’t forget to record your sightings here: bit.ly/4a4dSRD #farmlandbiodiversity

Species # 26: Noon Fly The Noon Fly life cycle is an integral part of agricultural grassland ecology and revolves around defecating cattle. Record your sighting here ➡️bit.ly/4a4dSRD #farmlandbiodiversity

Species # 25: Swallow Swallows are thinking of their return migration to southern Africa, some may have already gone, others are gathering in large flocks at wetlands sites. Record your sightings here: bit.ly/4a4dSRD

Biodiversity Tip No. 23 A positive grassland indicator plant used to assess if grassland is in ‘good’ condition, a sign that the grassland is semi-natural, not managed intensively and it has received only small amounts of fertilisers, herbicides, and other improvements.