Field cricket
10 May 2010
The field cricket is confined to a small area of the South Downs in Sussex and Hampshire. Its habitat has been destroyed over much of its former range and it now exists in only one native site but has been introduced to a series of other suitable sites.
Field cricket (c) Rowan Edwards
Latin name: Gryllus campestris
Population numbers:
The population is estimated by the number of singing males. It has been shown that there are about the same number of females. From a population of only about 25 singing males on the last surviving site in England in 1992, there are now in excess of 250 singing males present on 6 secure sites.
Where to see and when:
It is difficult to see a field cricket without potentially damaging its habitat and this is not permitted because it is a protected species in the UK. Access to the release sites is very restricted because the populations are still fragile and vulnerable to disturbance. However, field cricket song can be heard from a distance of more than 100m on warm days during May and early June. If they are present, you will quickly know about them.
What’s being done:
All six sites are monitored for male singing throughout May and June. Environmental Stewardship is helping landowners to provide the for the specific needs of field crickets and the possibility of expanding some of these colonies and of introducing them to new sites is being investigated.
More information:
