Rain.

[Durgan]

In about 12 years in my present location it has not been so wet and rainy for so many days. Little Sun and the temperature around 10C or a bit lower in the mornings.

I walk about 3 km with the dog every morning along a forested paved path. For ten years the path has been strewn with earthworms and snails. At one time it was almost impossible not to step on them. Over the years they have dwindled in numbers. The robins are having a hard time finding worms for their young this year. This year I have seen possibly 20 earth worms and one snail. Very disconcerting.

I have informed the Parks and Grounds officials, with no response. I suspect the kill is due to the type of spray they now use on the adjoining roads in the Winter. It is sort of like used KFC grease.

My walk is now a Silent Earth Event.

 

[headfullofbees]

Sad but non illegitemii tatum carborundum...Buy dried mealworms for the birds whilst you breed your own worms.

It's my intention to hugely expand the worm population on my allotment, with the worm farm makings I got for my birthday.

 

[Durgan]

First I heard of such. Little sense in producing worms if something is killing them off. I'm not referring to one or two but thousands.

 

[Upsy Daisy]

That's very sad and extremely worrying. It seems that we are becoming a world where consequences are not taken into account anymore.
Fortunately in my small plot on this planet worms are treated with care and consideration and in return they are flourishing

 

[Verdun]

Durgan, that is worying. Could it possibly be the New Zealand Flat Worm??
We all need to be more aware of products/chemicals we use in our gardens though

 

[Durgan]

Never heard or encountered the NZ flatworm- most interesting. My earthworm and snail kill is very real. After a long rain yesterday not one earthworm or snail this morning. But few notice or care.

 

[headfullofbees]

A worm farm is really for the production of beneficial bacteria etc. in their gut, which they defecate, however, if you limit the population by moving half their number, ever so often, to other parts of your ground, they will breed to maximum sustainable levels in their environment, as is the nature of all creatures.