How we manage verges to support wildlife

Around this time of year we get a few queries about roadside verges looking ‘a little scruffy’.

There is a reason we don’t trim our verges in early summer – and it’s wild!

Added together, the miles and miles of roadside verges in Orkney are an important natural asset, supporting local species of wildflowers and wildlife right up the food chain – from bugs and bees to impressive birds of prey.

For example, the Orkney vole, which is found nowhere else in the world, relies on long grass for shelter and food – and in turn are an important food source for the hen harrier and short eared owl.

Verges also continue to be an important source of local wildflower seeds, which have been gathered for years by our environmental services team for sowing at public places such as the Pickaquoy Centre, new primary schools and care homes, and the new Balfour Hospital to name a few – promoting and supporting our unique local species.

We let our verges grow wild this time of year – meaning our wildflowers can set seed, our pollinators and insect life thrive, and our wildlife benefit.

Our wildflowers and wildlife are also an important part of the Orkney landscape. The 2019 Visit Scotland survey found that over 50% of visitors undertook activities involving nature when they visited Orkney - we’re not the only ones who think Orkney’s nature is pretty special!

Verge cutting this year will start in June (we've started this week), with another cut in September/October (though some specially designated conservation verges are cut only once, in the autumn).

By cutting before and after the main flowering time, wildflowers are able to grow and produce flowers. These add some colour to our countryside and are an important food source for bees, including the rare Great Yellow Bumblebee only found in the far northwest of mainland Scotland, Orkney and some of the Hebridean islands.

We also carry out safety cuts as required at bends and junctions. If you have a concern about the safety (rather than the wildness) of a particular part of our road network, you can contact us with details at my.orkney.gov.uk

Our verge cutting plans are reviewed with community councils each year. You can find out more here in our Verge Maintenance plan.

Pictured here is a cracking photo of a Short Eared Owl, snapped by Alistair Holmes in our Roads team. You'll find some more great photos shared with us on our Facebook post, here.