Wildlife Words: Insect Week – tiny creatures, big impact

They may be small, but insects make a BIG difference to nature recovery.

From 22 June to 28 June, the Royal Entomological Society’s spotlight week is a celebration of all thing’s insect.

And these small critters really do make all the difference… there are more than 24,000 species in the UK alone, and they can be found in almost every habitat. Their jack-of-all-trades role spans pollinators, predators, pests, parasites, and prey, and the study of insects has long been central to conservation, food production, medicine, and ecology.

At Wild Oxfordshire, insects are essential to our Yellow Wagtail Partnership project. Established in 2020 by patron Dr Robin Buxton, the Partnership works with the Earth Trust  Church Farm Partnership and Lower Farm, to “learn and communicate as much as possible about the impact of different land management techniques both on this species and the wider environment”.

As a migrant species, insects are a vital part Yellow Wagtail diets However, recent changes in farming practice and other human impacts on the landscape have led to habitat and insect declines, harming Yellow Wagtail populations. They now find themselves on the conservation red list. You can help by recording your Yellow Wagtail sightings in Oxfordshire by reporting your sightings to TVERC (Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre). TVERC (Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre).

Gardening tips for June

1. Want to help garden birds? Don’t feed them in warmer months.

The RSPB have released guidance on feeding birds, stating that putting up bird feeders in your garden could be putting some species at risk disease. Stop filling bird feeders with seeds and peanuts from 1 May to 31 October as will prevent too many birds gathering in one place. Instead, still put out small amounts of mealworms, fat balls or suet all year round.

2. Let the grass grow

June is peak time for insects like butterflies, bees, and beetles. Leaving even a small patch of lawn uncut creates shelter and food for the likes of Meadow Browns, Large Blue butterflies, and Thick-legged flower beetles.

3. Go chemical-free

Gardening organically is a good way to ensure that the food and plants you grow are free of pesticides or chemicals, and the wildlife will thank you for it too.

By stopping the use of chemicals, slugs, snails, and insects such as aphids will return, but don’t worry! In time, so will their natural predators, such as hedgehogs and slowworms to help keep pest numbers down.

4. Keep Bird Baths Topped Up

Fresh water is essential for birds in warm weather. Keep a shallow dish with a few pebbles and help insects drink safely. However, only put out a bird bath if you can replace the water daily and clean the bird bath weekly to prevent the spread of diseases, especially in the warmer months.