In defence of midges

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Bearlegged
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In defence of midges

Post by Bearlegged »

https://theconversation.com/in-defence-of-midges-234442

Apparently they're good for breaking down organic matter, as a food source for birds and bats, and tasty as a burger.
I'm not convinced that these pro points outweigh the obvious bitey downsides TBQH.
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fatbikephil
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Re: In defence of midges

Post by fatbikephil »

It has been a particularly good year for midges this year, as demonstrated by them being in my garden, which is a rarity!

But yes, bats love 'em as well as swallows and swifts.

They also keep the tourists at bay :grin:
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RIP
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Re: In defence of midges

Post by RIP »

Bearlegged wrote: Thu Aug 01, 2024 10:30 am https://theconversation.com/in-defence-of-midges-234442

Apparently they're good for breaking down organic matter, as a food source for birds and bats, and tasty as a burger.
I'm not convinced that these pro points outweigh the obvious bitey downsides TBQH.
How many midges would you have to catch to make a burger I wonder?
"My God, Ponsonby, I'm two-thirds of the way to the grave and what have I done?" - RIP

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Dave Barter
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Re: In defence of midges

Post by Dave Barter »

RIP wrote: Thu Aug 01, 2024 11:09 am
Bearlegged wrote: Thu Aug 01, 2024 10:30 am https://theconversation.com/in-defence-of-midges-234442

Apparently they're good for breaking down organic matter, as a food source for birds and bats, and tasty as a burger.
I'm not convinced that these pro points outweigh the obvious bitey downsides TBQH.
How many midges would you have to catch to make a burger I wonder?
I've just trademarked MidgeDonalds
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whitestone
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Re: In defence of midges

Post by whitestone »

Some hints ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIBmzw0Zm8Q

The final comments are also relevant.
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Al
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Re: In defence of midges

Post by Al »

RIP wrote: Thu Aug 01, 2024 11:09 am
Bearlegged wrote: Thu Aug 01, 2024 10:30 am https://theconversation.com/in-defence-of-midges-234442

Apparently they're good for breaking down organic matter, as a food source for birds and bats, and tasty as a burger.
I'm not convinced that these pro points outweigh the obvious bitey downsides TBQH.
How many midges would you have to catch to make a burger I wonder?

There's your answer Reg:

https://youtu.be/LrqhPrW1U7Y?si=xtzw3TBunxwIYnAc
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fatbikephil
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Re: In defence of midges

Post by fatbikephil »

I spent more time ID'ding the places he was walking and biking through. The midge cones look good, fat better than the gadget I bought :grin:

Re the last comment - that's food for thought. In the last couple of years I've been in a few situations where there should have been zillions of midges and there were none.

https://www.smidgeup.com/midge-forecast/ Typically the west coast should be all at level 5!
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fatbikephil
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Re: In defence of midges

Post by fatbikephil »

Al wrote: Thu Aug 01, 2024 1:14 pm
RIP wrote: Thu Aug 01, 2024 11:09 am
Bearlegged wrote: Thu Aug 01, 2024 10:30 am https://theconversation.com/in-defence-of-midges-234442

Apparently they're good for breaking down organic matter, as a food source for birds and bats, and tasty as a burger.
I'm not convinced that these pro points outweigh the obvious bitey downsides TBQH.
How many midges would you have to catch to make a burger I wonder?

There's your answer Reg:

https://youtu.be/LrqhPrW1U7Y?si=xtzw3TBunxwIYnAc

:YMSICK: Tastes like chicken :lol:
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whitestone
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Re: In defence of midges

Post by whitestone »

fatbikephil wrote: Thu Aug 01, 2024 1:16 pm I spent more time ID'ding the places he was walking and biking through. The midge cones look good, fat better than the gadget I bought :grin:

Re the last comment - that's food for thought. In the last couple of years I've been in a few situations where there should have been zillions of midges and there were none.

https://www.smidgeup.com/midge-forecast/ Typically the west coast should be all at level 5!
He lives out towards Ardnamurchan so some shots will be there but there's some shots of the track through to Glen Lyon from the WHW.
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RIP
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Re: In defence of midges

Post by RIP »

fatbikephil wrote: Thu Aug 01, 2024 1:17 pm
Al wrote: Thu Aug 01, 2024 1:14 pm
RIP wrote: Thu Aug 01, 2024 11:09 am
Bearlegged wrote: Thu Aug 01, 2024 10:30 am https://theconversation.com/in-defence-of-midges-234442

Apparently they're good for breaking down organic matter, as a food source for birds and bats, and tasty as a burger.
I'm not convinced that these pro points outweigh the obvious bitey downsides TBQH.
How many midges would you have to catch to make a burger I wonder?

There's your answer Reg:

https://youtu.be/LrqhPrW1U7Y?si=xtzw3TBunxwIYnAc

:YMSICK: Tastes like chicken :lol:
and smells like fish. Mm...MMM, yum yum! Cameraman's face said it all :YMSICK: :smile:
"My God, Ponsonby, I'm two-thirds of the way to the grave and what have I done?" - RIP

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Bearbonesnorm
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Re: In defence of midges

Post by Bearbonesnorm »

It always seems that a good midge year is a poor Horse Fly year and vice versa ... while not much of a fan of either, I know which I dislike most. :wink:
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whitestone
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Re: In defence of midges

Post by whitestone »

Bearbonesnorm wrote: Thu Aug 01, 2024 9:35 pm It always seems that a good midge year is a poor Horse Fly year and vice versa ... while not much of a fan of either, I know which I dislike most. :wink:
Not had too many midges while over at my brother's in the Lakes but the clegs have been pretty bad - I'm getting bitten several times a day. And I've been nowhere near the two fields on the farm that are really bad for them in any year. :shock:
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fatbikephil
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Re: In defence of midges

Post by fatbikephil »

And mosquitos are worse than both! Utterly horrible things and whereas a midge will not bite through the thinnest head net, a mozzy will get you through anything less than tweed....
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Re: In defence of midges

Post by boxelder »

78% decrease in flying insects in a decade :shock: - that's worrying.
Clegs can still get stuffed mind.
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