West Herts Ramblers: Herts Way Walk, 26, Sandon to Wallington. 27/6/24

[@Westwoodii]

Pleasant walk and video, as usual. Even where flowers are present, insects are decidely sparse this year so far. Umbellifer roundels, ragwort and others usually abuzz with all sorts of insects, are almost silent, all due to the prolonged cold, wet spring we've had. In contrast to the verges and greens on your walk, our suburban street verges were left uncut until mid-June, part of the no-mow May policy; but the verges concerned were never sown with wildflower mix, so all we got was rank grass!

[@amib]

Which just goes to show how badly advised our local authorities are; In my experience, they haven't got a clue! Or their sub-contractors haven't, and there's not the council man-power to check the quality of the work being done. 'No-Mow May' is a great idea, but merely the way it used to be (or, when they were manually maintained), until drivers started moaning that it slowed then down (good idea!). As 'Plantlife' suggest, it should continue through until October, but the Councils won't play ball. In my book, it's a shame they can't advise the Councils, as a minimum, as we'll soon have very few insects left in the verges, as you've noted. Thanks for watching again😉👍

[@gillianbridge-tj9bm]

Thank you once again amib for a very pleasant walk. Agree wholeheartedly with the comment below and your reply concerning the desecration of our verges. Their treatment this year up here in West Yorkshire has been a real mixed bag; am not sure as to whether local authorities or their sub-contractors are the chief culprit for the worst examples. Anyway, thank you as always

[@amib]

Pleasure Gillian. Seems to be very varied, from what I can see, as some parishes/authorities do a good job, and seem to know what they're doing, whilst others don't. Thanks for watching again😉👍