Maybe I should become a spider expert?

It feels like I am noticing spider webs everywhere.

They seem to be all over the place this year: cast your eyes over any vegetation and you spot them. When I have walked along the summer trail to where the pump is, they are down in the rush. Glancing at the gorse bushes and they are covered in spider silk. It’s spooky and fantastic.

Now I don’t know that much about spiders but it seems plausible that maybe I’m seeing so many because it’s spider dating season: they’re making webs in prominent locations to attract mates. I couldn’t actually find any confirmation of this but it’s a thought, right?

Whenever I go out at the moment, I'm trying to look for the crafters of these fine webs and seeing if I can identify them. It’s exciting and makes me want to become a spider expert!

When I was out the other day I became particularly enchanted with the webs coating the gorse near the Saltcot Merse Observatory – it looked frosty, like winter had come early.

Webs in the gorse bushes by Jake Goodwin

When back in the office, I did some googling. I discovered that there is a species called the gorse spider mite which is native to Europe. They spin these communal webs in the gorse. It is their only food source so when present in large numbers, they can do a lot of damage.

For such a cool and interesting animal, spiders are so underappreciated! I implore you to take a look at them next time you’re out and about and admire the awesome patterns and colours. I’m sure you’ll be in-spider-ed like me.

Feature image of garden spider in a dew-covered web by Jake Goodwin

Words by Jake Goodwin