Early Autumn Nature Notes

There is adefinite nip in the air now that autmn is rapidly approaching. Trees are starting to change colour as their leaves take on seasonal hues and the breeze has a distinct edge.

The surrounding paths are showing much evidence of badger activity as these night timevisitors gorge themselves on berries,putting on fat for the lean winter months ahead. An old hawthorn log behind the house is being gradually ripped apart as the badgers seek out grubs from its rotten interior.

Hedgerows are alive with mixed parties of finches looking for seeds in the field margins and amongst the stubble still to be ploughed in after completion of the harvest. The declining tree sparrow can be seen in some numbers for those who care to look carefully along with brambling, goldfinch and siskin. The contact calls of whitethroats rasp from deep within the tangle of branches and, though quiet after the summer seranading, the occaisional skylark can still be seen over the fields. The first golden plover have arrived gracing the sky just outside the village with accompanying parties of lapwings.

North of the village, from the path to the cowsheds, a roe hind with a youngster in tow can be seen each evening as she moves cautiously into the open from the surrounding woodland. Her fawn jumps and skips like an over-sized lamb under the watchful eye of its mother. They are finally lost from view as the sun sets over the distant hills and the evening moves into night.

Late Summer Nature Notes

It is pleasing to be able to say that butterflies seem to be everywhere at the moment. Large and small whites can be seen at every turn and are particularly abundant amongst the more neglected areas of the allotment behind the house and in the adjoining field. Small browns, peacocks and small tortoiseshells are taking advantage of the late summer sun along with painted ladies that have arrived in large numbers this year.

Although the swifts have left, large numbers of swallows and martins grace the skies above the village and collect in large numbers on telephone lines and rooftops. One of the resident mallards has brought a new batch of ducklings to the village pond.

Brambles are now producing masses of fruit and attracting many birds and animals to the feast including woodmice and voles that can be seen climbing amongst the barbed stems. Thrushes, blackbirds and greenfinch are regular visitors along with the less common bullfinch.

A late evening walk along the quiet back lanes will reward you with views of roe deer and hares out in the open field. As dusk gathers listen and watch out for badgers and hedgehogs snuffling about in the undergrowth seeking worms and grubs. Bats can still be seen pursuing insects into the night and the call of tawny owls floats across the village. As darkness falls listen for the eerie screech of little owls calling from the outlying fields.

Summertime in Newton upon Rawcliffe

Though most birds have stopped singing with the passing of the main breeding season there are still many birds in evidence.

Swallows, martins and squadrons of screaming swifts pursue insects on the wing.

Hedgerow birds such as chaffinches and yellow hammers are starting to flock as the time for nesting finishes. Whitethroats can be heard deep within the thickest scrub calling with their harsh contact notes. The village is alive with the chirrups of sparrows and family groups of pied wagtails patrol the village green alongside blackbirds and jackdaws.

Roadside verges are festooned with clumps of mauve-blue meadow cranesbill and the drying heads of cow parsley. The stately pink spires of rosebay willows herb tower over everything backed by the emerging white trumpet flowers of hedge bindweed.

Young rabbits can be seen along the roadside taking their first forays into the outside world and hares are much in evidence along the quieter back lanes.

Nature’s daily routine is now carried out to a back drop of busy combines and tractors as the harvest gets under way. The resulting stubble fields will soon fill with birds looking for dropped grain and roe deer will be visible again as they venture out in the warm evenings and who knows the odd badger maybe!