Friday Funny: Splatometers

Splatometers reveal a possible insect decline in the U.K.

1 minute read

September 3, 2004, 1:00 PM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen


Many bird populations in the U.K. have declined precipitously in recent years -- for instance, house sparrows have dropped by 65 percent since 1973 -- and some scientists suspect that a cause is a possible corresponding decline in the insect populations upon which the birds depend. To test the theory, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds organized the Big Bug Count, a massive, all-volunteer effort in popular research. Nearly 40,000 volunteers affixed "splatometers" -- cardboard counting grids -- to their front license plates, stopping every 20 to 80 miles to count the number of smashed insects. A total of 324,814 bugs died for science, an average of one every five miles. "Many people were astonished by how few insects they splatted," said project coordinator Richard Bashford. While the organizers acknowledge that the count doesn't conclusively point to a decline, they promise further splatometer deployments in coming years to establish comparative measurements.

Thanks to Grist Magazine

Wednesday, September 1, 2004 in BBC News

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

May 15, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 14, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Front of Walmart store with sign.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network

The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

May 7, 2025 - Inc.

Aerial view of Albuquerque, New Mexico at sunset.

New State Study Suggests Homelessness Far Undercounted in New Mexico

An analysis of hospital visit records provided a more accurate count than the annual point-in-time count used by most agencies.

May 16 - Source NM

Close-up on white bike helmet lying on pavement with blurred red bike on its side in background abd black car visible behind it.

Michigan Bills Would Stiffen Penalties for Deadly Crashes

Proposed state legislation would close a ‘legal gap’ that lets drivers who kill get away with few repercussions.

May 16 - Wood TV 8

Muni bus on red painted bus-only lane in downtown San Francisco, California.

Report: Bus Ridership Back to 86 Percent of Pre-Covid Levels

Transit ridership around the country was up by 85 percent in all modes in 2024.

May 16 - Mass Transit