What To Look Out For In August

An area for archived forum posts
Post Reply
RachelMC
Posts: 460
Joined: Mon May 17, 2010 1:04 pm
Location: Chester

What To Look Out For In August

Post by RachelMC »

What To Look Out For In August:

AUGUST

August is the month when high summer turns to late summer. Hot days bring the restful sound of grasshoppers calling ('stridulating') from the long grass, advertising their territories. They are difficult to spot due to their green or brown colour, but soon hop to reveal themselves if disturbed, only to disappear again. 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.

Many birds are in the middle of their moult in August. Feathers are replaced gradually so as not to ground the bird. Woods are quiet except for the occasional Robin (Erithacus rubecula) starting to sing its plaintive and melancholy Autumn song. 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. Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris), Jackdaws (Corvus monedula) and House Sparrows (Passer domesticus) may also be spotted tending to their young in the nest. The Starlings chatter and whistle at each other from the eves and other prominent places. They are great mimics and can be mistaken for other birds, and will even emulate man made sounds. Large flocks of Martins and Swallows can be over fields. Sometimes Swallows (Hirundo rustica), particularly, can be seen lined up together on telegraph wires preening themselves. Waders are returning to the estuaries, having bred in highland 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.

Some trees may start to show changes in colour. Seeds are ripening and soon Large-leaved Lime (Tilia), Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus), Field Maple (Acer campestre) and Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) will drop their winged seeds.

In the bases of many roadside hedges Lords and Ladies (Arum maculatum) have totally died down other than the ripening fruiting stem, with its poisonous red berries. This is the 'lady' part.

Rivers are thickly fringed with white flowered Meadowsweet (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 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.

(Notes compiled by Rachel with acknowledgement to When to Watch Wildlife)

Post Reply