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!