Background
Nature is diverse and wonderful, but too often we don’t take time to stop and notice it. We’ve recently been encouraging Groundwork staff and visitors to Trafford Ecology Park to use the iNaturalist app to record all wildlife sightings during their visit. The hope is that we will build a picture of the biodiversity here and in doing so learn how we can best manage the site.
The importance of Crickets
One family group that is particularly important to observe is Crickets. Many of us will be familiar with Grasshoppers already, however Southern Oak Bush Crickets are relatively new on the stage, especially in the North of England.
The species was not recorded in the UK until 2001 (in Surrey & Berkshire) but their distribution range has been rapidly expanding due to climate change.
Female bush-crickets can be distinguished from their male counterparts by their long, curved ovipositors. Males have two short, rounded claspers.
Cricket sightings
At only 1.4 – 1.7cm in body length (excluding the antennae which can be a further 4cm) finding a Cricket can be tricky enough. Add in the fact that the species is tree dwelling and nocturnal and your odds reduce even further.
Surprisingly there have been two separate Southern Oak Bush Cricket sightings at Trafford Ecology Park in the past month; 1 male, 1 female! This is the 7th recording of the species in Greater Manchester according to NBN Atlas.
Make sure you take time to look carefully on your visit, the more you look the more you see.