Monthly guide to woodland wildlife

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.