This month saw Dr Kevin Butt, Reader in Ecology at the University of Central Lancashire and a prominent member of the Earthworm Society of Britain (https://www.earthwormsoc.org.uk/) visit the Wakes Garden in Selborne, Hampshire. Here, back in the 1770s Gilbert White, considered by many as the ‘father of ecology’ wrote in some detail about earthworms over 100 years before Charles Darwin published his seminal book on the subject. However, he wasn’t able to elaborate on the types of species present, but made valuable observations on their behaviour and importance in soil formation instead. To complement the earlier research, Kevin, supported by Andy Moffat, spent three days examining the distribution of different earthworm species across a range of habitat types in the Garden, from beds growing vegetables and herbs, through lawns and meadows to sites under different tree species. Kevin also set up cameras to record night time earthworm foraging and mating, following in the footsteps of Gilbert White who observed the same by candlelight. Kevin hopes to present his results at an international conference “Gilbert White and his Contexts” at the Wakes in June 2025.
