B-Lines are a network of 3km wide corridors that criss-cross the UK. They were created by Buglife and they draw attention to our need to help nature regenerate by concentrating our efforts to help nature flourish within the corridors.
The loss of wildflower habitats and the wildlife that depend on them, for example insect pollinators, is a particular biodiversity problem that B-Lines are trying to address. The power of the Biodiversity Line concept is that it can be used for all forms of plant and animal life, not just wild flowers and insect pollinators. Betchworth Biodiversity Line
Inspired by the concept of a B-Line we are working with the Parish Council, Betchworth Residents, Buglife and Surrey Wildlife Trust to create a Betchworth Biodiversity Line that runs north-south through the Parish. Our first step is to encourage residents to create new wildflower meadows and mini meadows to help insect pollinators flourish and increase the biodiversity of plant and animal life within our B-Line. Stage 1 February-August 2023: 40 residents and businesses in north Betchworth agreed to create their own mini wildflower meadow, ranging from a single flower pot or trough to several or square metres of garden. A total of 1400 sq m of ground was sown using a seed mix rich in native perennial wildflowers. In spite of a short growing season, many seeds germinated but did not necessarily flower. More importantly, seed containing over 30 species is now present in the seed bank ready to grow in future. Stage 2 From September 2023: We are extending our B-Line to the southern parish boundary by inviting Betchworth residents who live south of Old Reigate Rd, to sow a few sq metres of wildflower seed in September. We will provide a mix of seed suitable for the soil types in our area and advice on preparing the ground. All we ask is that you provide us with feedback on whether the seeds germinate and flower so that we can record and appreciate the results of our efforts. Insect Polinator Surveys With the help of an ecologist we are undertaking surveys to record the insects who are using our wildflower habitats. In this way we are beginning to record the biodiversity in and around our village. You can read about our B-Line project in our magazine RE-B Magazine |
Invitation If you live in Betchworth and you are willing to cultivate a wildflower mini meadow – we will provide seeds, guidance and practical help if necessary – please get in touch with a member of the B-Line team. Norman [email protected] Hilary [email protected] Milla [email protected] or Deb [email protected] |
Information about B-Lines and the Betchworth Biodiversity Line
Buglife B-Line Animation
Buglife Conservation Officer Louis Harrington-Edman's
Zoom talk about B-Lines & mini wildflower meadows
Introduction to Betchworth's B-Line & Mini Wildflower Meadow Project
Norman Jackson
Betchworth B-Line June Progress Report
Introduction to pollinating insects
This webinar by Buglife will provide you with the skills necessary to recognise and identify the key groups of pollinating insect in the UK. It will also explore the surprising diversity of pollinating insect groups and explain why pollinating insects are so important to us and the natural world.
BETCHWORTH B-LINE MOVIES
These movies illustrate a range of wildflower habitats
and how they are being used by insects
#1 Wildflowers of Spring in the Betchworth B-Line February-April 2023
#2 Bluebells & Wild Garlic Slough Brook Woods Betchworth B-Line May 2023
#3 Oxeye Daisy Meadow June 2023
#4 Chalk grassland of Betchworth Hills
#5 Betchworth Butterflies
Example Wildflower Meadow Project
B-Line team leader Norman Jackson shares his experience of creating a wildflower meadow