Grantham RiverCare leaders speak of a ‘silent summer’

We haven’t noticed this many insects so far this summer, written by David Martin and Ian Simmons Grantham River care.

As we went about our recent litter picking activities, we were struck by the quiet of the riverside, which we accept as a peaceful interlude away from the noise of traffic and the general hubbub of modern life.

But if we look more closely, what do we see? This summer, the air seems strangely calm and clear. What is missing? To our eyes, the insect population, especially those that usually buzz around us.

The lavender bushes and buddleias that adorn the parks and gardens appear uninhabited where one would normally expect a hive of activity (pun intended).

These observations suggested the theme of this month’s “Tales,” with a nod to a seminal work written in the 1960s by Rachel Carson called “Silent Spring.”

This influential work was the first to alert the public to the risks of pesticides to the environment.

The food pyramid is regularly mentioned in this column because, in our opinion, it is the basis of our way of life. No pollinating insects, therefore no crops, therefore no food.

At the time, Ms Carson was focusing on the danger posed by DDT and her book led to a worldwide ban.

A more modern scourge is that of neonicotinoids, developed in the 1980s. Applied to seeds to protect against a range of insects, they are water-soluble and leak into the environment, causing indiscriminate damage to invertebrates.

Of particular concern are the effects on bees, our most economically important six-legged friends.

The EU banned their use in 2018, but the UK voted against, saying the products were safe for bees.

As part of our volunteer work around the River Witham, we have a small army who regularly monitor water quality. Although we don’t have the resources to measure pesticides, we do check nitrate and phosphate levels. High nitrate results suggest agricultural runoff from fertilisers and animal waste.

Dangerous levels are reported throughout the chain to the Environment Agency.

We hope that as summer progresses, insects will return to our gardens and outdoor spaces that mean so much to all of us.

If you are planning to venture out when the weather improves, please be careful not to litter. If you are paddling in the shallow river, it would be wise to wear suitable footwear as we cannot guarantee what might be lurking in the river bed.

It’s not wild animals that are likely to nibble on toes, but rather carelessly thrown glass and metal that will painfully cut into unsuspecting flesh.

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