WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR IN JULY 2011

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RachelMC
Posts: 460
Joined: Mon May 17, 2010 1:04 pm
Location: Chester

WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR IN JULY 2011

Post by RachelMC »

WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR IN JULY 2011:

Now that July is here, the sound of birdsong will begin to fade away. A few Blackbirds (Turdus merula) will keep singing, but they will soon start to moult their feathers, grow new ones, and fall silent. Moulting will finish by September, but they will not be heard singing again until January. Song thrushes (Turdus philomelos) have almost stopped singing for the same reason, but they will start again in November, laying an early claim to their territories for next year’s breeding season. Most chaffinches have gone quiet, but Greenfinches (Carduelis chloris) and Goldfinches (Carduelis carduelis) remain very vocal. Goldfinches sing a tinkling song; Greenfinches have a rollicking, plummy song, a wheezing note and a hard twitter when they fly. Young Greenfinches that are out of the nest are also noisy, making curious moans and squeaks in hedges.

If you are visiting Cheshire's meres and mosses, look out for Yellow Water Lily (Nuphar lutea) and Starworts (Callitriche palustris) as well as Common Reed (Typha latifolia) and Lesser Reed-mace (Typha angustifolia). Grey Willow (Salix cinerea) and Alder (Alnus glutinosa) grow in the boggy woodland, as well as species such as Greater Tussock Sedge (Carex paniculata) and Tufted Sedge (Carex elata) which are rare in Cheshire, and Bog Myrtle (Myrica gale) along with Cross-leaved Heath (Erica tetralix) and Heather (Calluna vulgaris). In places like Hatch Mere, at least 13 species of dragonfly and damselfly have been recorded on the reserve, including the rare Hairy Dragonfly (Brachytron pratense) and the Variable Damselfly (Coenagrion pulchellum). Other rarities include caddis flies, aquatic beetles and water snails. Several species of butterfly occupy this site including the Green Hairstreak (Callophrys rubi), which has declined across the Cheshire Plain.

Most meadows contain many colours tightly knitted together in July! Yellow Meadow Buttercups (Ranunculus acris) and Rough Hawkbit (Leontodon hispidus), white Ox-eye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare), pinky purples in knapweeds (Centaurea) and blue Scabious amongst the green meadow grass.

Mammals take advantage of the summer fruits available during this month such as Wild Strawberries (Fragaria vesca) and Raspberries (Rubus idaeus) which are a particular favourite with Woodmice (Apodemus sylvaticus), and the omnivorous Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) also takes part in this summer feast.

At this time of year there is an abundance of insects and July is especially good for Hoverflies, Lacewings, Butterflies, Moths and Dragonflies. Butterfly species that you are likely to see are the Painted Lady, (Vanessa cardui), Red Admiral, (Vanessa atalanta), and the less common Clouded Yellow, (Colias crocea). By wetlands, ponds and streams look out for the dramatic blue and green Emperor Dragonfly (Anax imperator) or the iridescent emerald green Beautiful Demoiselle (Calopteryx virgo) by running streams.

Notes compiled by Rachel and re-posted from the Count Me In! website

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