 |
|
Wildlife
Monthly guide to woodland wildlife
July
This is the month when the lovely brown butterflies emerge: meadow brown, hedge brown (or gatekeeper), and ringlets.
Also on thistles and bramble flowers, look out for large skipper, small skipper and comma butterflies.
In the flower patch look for yarrow, St John’s wort, and knapweed.
On warm evenings, about an hour after sunset, bats emerge to catch midges and moths around the trees and overgrown hedges. Their familiar silhouettes and flapping wings can be seen against the darkening sky.
August
It is obvious that many thistles flower and seed this month. The nectar-rich flowers attract many butterflies, including tortoiseshell, peacock, red admiral, and painted lady. The caterpillars of the tortoiseshell and peacock feed on nettles - also a feature of the wood.
When the thistles go to seed, they attract large numbers of goldfinches, as this is their favoured food at this time of year.
Most birds fall silent as they undergo their annual moult, but the yellowhammer still sings his song "a little bit of bread and no cheese" on hot sultry days.
Guide for June
Wildlife sightings - June 2010
01.06.10 |
Cardinal beetle |
05.06.10 |
Lots of birdsong |
12.06.10 |
Speckled wood and large skipper butterflies |
26.06.10 |
Newly fledged long tailed tits |
Sightings in May 2010
Species List 2006-2008
More about wildlife in the woodland.
