Crickets

[Broch]

I am spending a few days down in Suffolk and, last night, I realised I could hear crickets chirping in the hedges. It dawned on me that I haven't heard them for years and we don't have any around us in Mid Wales.

So, I was wondering, are they confined to Southern UK or are they just missing in patches? How far North are crickets heard?

Having spent part of my childhood in North Africa, I think I miss that sound

 

[JonathanD]

We hardly get any around by us. But this year I have seen an amazing amount and all kinds of different species. Wonderful listening to them at night. No idea what has caused this population boom.

I spent a few years in Meru, Kenya as a kid, so know what you mean.

 

[Robson Valley]

As far as I know, no crickets west of the Rockies. I have not heard them, outside of a pet shop, in years. I used to go east in the summers and crickets galore. I miss that cheerful chirping.

 

[Wander]

I'm in the south east and we hear (and see) them all the time.
How odd. I just assumed they were universal in the UK.

 

[JonathanD]

They are definitely more prevalent down south. Somerset, Devon and Cornwall having large populations.

 

[TeeDee]

Q

They are definitely more prevalent down south. Somerset, Devon and Cornwall having large populations.

Quite correct - we are the sorting centre and holding point for a lot of the Crickets.

In fact we are stock piling them - just in case we need to dispatch a plague on someone.

 

[JonathanD]

Q

Quite correct - we are the sorting centre and holding point for a lot of the Crickets.

In fact we are stock piling them - just in case we need to dispatch a plague on someone.

I Knew it!!!!!

 

[Broch]

Q

Quite correct - we are the sorting centre and holding point for a lot of the Crickets.

In fact we are stock piling them - just in case we need to dispatch a plague on someone.

They'll be in that book

 

[slowworm]

The may be common down here but I've seen more this year than previous ones. Proper crickets as well, none of this 100 rubbish.

 

[Lean'n'mean]

When you say "crickets" are you refering to field crickets ?

 

[Broch]

I don't know of 'field crickets' we have various 'bush crickets' such as the dark bush cricket Pholidoptera griseoaptera which is supposed to be in Mid Wales - I just never hear them.

 

[Spirit fish]

I am spending a few days down in Suffolk and, last night, I realised I could hear crickets chirping in the hedges. It dawned on me that I haven't heard them for years and we don't have any around us in Mid Wales.

So, I was wondering, are they confined to Southern UK or are they just missing in patches? How far North are crickets heard?

Having spent part of my childhood in North Africa, I think I miss that sound

loads in Doncaster in South yorkshire I'm not a expert on insects but there little green crickets

 

[henchy3rd]

Funny you bought this up.
I was lying in a meadow taking in the sounds of insects just last week & the specked bush cricket was plentiful here in Derby/ Leicester boarders near the River Derwent.

 

[Nice65]

I'm in the south east and we hear (and see) them all the time.
How odd. I just assumed they were universal in the UK.

Same here. Up in grassland on the Downs every step sees a hurried exit by dozens of them. More this year though.