What to look out for in August:
For those who wish to pry themselves away from the Olympics, there is plenty of wildlife to be found out in the countryside. Although we’re enjoying a rather damp summer, it does mean that grasses have remained green and tree leaves have not wilted as they would in hot, dry weather.
During August, late summer will be upon us and Elderberries (Sambucus) will ripen and be feasted on by hungry birds such as Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) and Blackbirds (Turdus merula). Other berries are ripening too, such as Hawthorn (‘haws’) (Crataegus monogyna), Sloes (Prunus spinosa) and Rose-hips. These will provide sustenance for many species through the harsh winter months.
If we are lucky to have some hot days this month (there’s still hope!) they can bring the restful sound of grasshoppers calling ('stridulating') from the long grass, advertising their territories. In Britain the species most likely to be spotted are the Common Green (Omocestus viridulus), Common Field (Chorthippus brunneus) and the Meadow Grasshopper (Chorthippus parallelus).
Other insects on the wing include the Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina), Small Skipper butterflies (Thymelicus sylvestris) and Large White (Pieris brassicae). Gatekeepers (Pyronia tithonus) are particularly attractive orange and brown butterflies that are currently on the wing, and can be found near hedgerows.
On Saturday 18th August 2012, RECORD and Habitats and Hillforts will be visiting Old Pale in Delamere, particularly to look for butterflies. Why not come along and see what you can find?
Waders are returning to the estuaries, having bred in highlands pastures or wetlands in Britain or further north. Some are just passing through on their way back to Africa. Lapwings (Vanellus vanellus) and Golden Plovers (Pluvialis apricaria) join Knots (Calidris canuta) and Bar-tailed Godwits (Limosa lapponica) feeding on the mud.
Where grasslands are overgrazed the ground is often exposed (poached) and plants such as Ragwort (Senecio jacobaea) and Creeping Thistle (Cirsium arvense) colonise and thrive. This often happens in hard grazed fields supporting horses. Ragwort is poisonous to livestock and they avoid grazing it. As a result large areas can be seemingly dominated by its bright yellow ragwort flowers at this time of the year, and earlier. The Cinnabar Moth (Tyria jacobaeae) (the adult is black and red) feeds on this species at its caterpillar stage. The caterpillars are black and yellow to ward off predators who may view them as a tasty snack. The caterpillar stores alkaloids from the plant which means that birds do indeed find them nasty to eat.
Rivers are thickly fringed with white flowered Meadow Sweet (Filipendula ulmaria), Great Willowherb (Epilobium hirsutum), Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) and emergent grass species such as Reed-canary Grass (Phalaris arundinacea). The Water Crowfoot (Ranunculus aquatilis) will be lush and wide spreading in the clean and fast flowing rivers. Where the river is slower, and hence more silty, Yellow Water-lily (Nuphar lutea) may be present, and will have been in flower now for some time.
Bats can be spotted from bridges at night flying over water whilst hunting for insects. These are likely to be the fairly common Daubenton's bats (Myotis daubentonii). Many bats can be lured to fly close and investigate you if you flutter a paper hanky in the air above your head. Go on give it a go - they won't hit you!
House martins (Delichon urbica) are finally emerging from their mud cup nests encouraged by adults who swoop and chatter around them. If the weather turns bad again they may return to roost in the nests. Sometimes Swallows (Hirundo rustica), particularly, can be seen lined up together on telegraph wires preening themselves. Many birds are in the middle of their moult in August and can look extremely down at heal. Feathers are replaced gradually so as not to ground the bird.
Invasions of House Sparrows (Passer domesticus) may be a thing of the past now, but they can still be seen as the wheat ripens in fields, enjoying the feast. Whilst the flocks of yesteryear are not so likely to be seen, perhaps they are making a slight comeback?
August sees the departure of the majority of Swifts (Apus apus). Their short stay in Britain reminds us just how fleeting summer can be. Most migrant birds are, however, with us for a while yet.
Woodpigeons (Columba palumbus) buck the trend at this time of year and may still be sitting on a repeat brood of eggs. They call with their five note 'song' and swoop down through the air with several wing claps, displaying and defending their territory.
(Notes compiled by Rachel with acknowledgment to When to Watch Wildlife.)