Annual Pollinator Count 2025
Last week, we were proud to host our second Annual Pollinator Count on July 17th, a city-wide effort to monitor the insect pollinators of London.
The day began with a welcome from Lady Mayoress Florence King, whose opening remarks reminded us how important it is to protect urban biodiversity. This year’s count was generously sponsored by Azad Ayub, who’s support made it possible for us to expand the day’s activities and reach even more people.
Volunteers, staff, and members of the public joined forces across three key green spaces in the heart of London: Christchurch Greyfriars, Inner Temple Garden, and St Paul’s Festival Gardens. Throughout the day, we ran Flower-Insect Timed (FIT) Counts. A simple, accessible way for people to track insect visitation to flowers. It’s not just about the numbers: it’s about taking a closer look at the small but vital interactions that are happening all around us but are easily missed. Loads of ladybirds, hoverflies, honeybees, butterflies, and even a few solitary bees were spotted.
The annual count is more than a one-day event. It’s a long term project to better understand the health of pollinators in London, and to involve the public in that process. By taking part, people contribute data and develop a sharper appreciation for the small wildlife that often goes unnoticed, yet urgently needs our help. The more we notice, the more we care. And the more we care, the more we act.
The event drew interest from local organisations including Better Bankside and CMS, and a few participants even gave interviews to the press, helping spread the word about the importance of pollinators in our urban landscapes.
In the late afternoon, the focus shifted to the Tower of London for a seminar on urban pollinator conservation. Dr Katherine Baldock from the University of Northumbria opened the session with insights into how pollinators use cities, and what we can do to support them. This was followed by three case studies, each showing a different approach to integrating pollinator conservation into public and private spaces.
The Bumblebee Conservation Trust presented their work monitoring rare bumblebee populations. Lambeth Council shared their experiences managing public green spaces in ways that support both wildlife and local residents. And Peabody offered insights into how housing associations can create pollinator-friendly environments that are still welcoming and functional for communities.
Together, these examples showed that real change is possible when we listen to the science, work with nature, and bring people along with us.
We’re grateful to everyone who took part, whether counting pollinators, running activities, giving talks, or simply stopping to observe. London’s pollinators are under pressure. But events like these give us hope. With the right knowledge and partnerships, we can make our city a place where both people and pollinators thrive together.
