We are holding a Bug Hunt at Sid’s Piece on Wednesday 14th August at 2.30pm. Everyone is welcome. We will provide nets and magnifiers. We know how important insects are, and sadly I hear the cry ‘I don’t see so many these days!’ It is mainly the prettier more obvious ones that we miss, like butterflies and bees, but even the less attractive ones like beetles and flies seem scarcer. I’m not sure about spiders; I have a few of them in the house.
This wet, rather cold, weather has not helped bees to get out and pollinate the fruit trees and other plants. Many of the ground beetles, that we should find under logs, are great recyclers of wood and leaves into compost, to enrich the soil, and many of the flying insects are food for birds and bats.
What has happened? Why are there fewer insects? It could be climate change, loss of suitable habitat, such as wildflower meadows. The use of pesticides on crops and gardens, which eventually get into rivers and the sea. The less of all these chemicals that we use the better.
Do come along on August 14th to see what we can find, and help to record the wildlife at Sid’s Piece.
We will be starting our work parties in September and we need more help to keep the paths accessible.
This wet, rather cold, weather has not helped bees to get out and pollinate the fruit trees and other plants. Many of the ground beetles, that we should find under logs, are great recyclers of wood and leaves into compost, to enrich the soil, and many of the flying insects are food for birds and bats.
What has happened? Why are there fewer insects? It could be climate change, loss of suitable habitat, such as wildflower meadows. The use of pesticides on crops and gardens, which eventually get into rivers and the sea. The less of all these chemicals that we use the better.
Do come along on August 14th to see what we can find, and help to record the wildlife at Sid’s Piece.
We will be starting our work parties in September and we need more help to keep the paths accessible.