Birds and other
wildlife recorded in August 2022
Rather
a brief list for this month – the wildlife and the recorders were all rather
exhausted by the overpowering heat! It
is also the time of year when many birds have bred and gone into moult; feeding
the youngsters and the bodily tiring task of re-growing new feathers are
exhausting and leave the adult birds vulnerable – so they tend to keep a low
profile.
However,
it was good to hear a juvenile Sparrowhawk calling on a couple of occasions; no
other raptors were actually recorded, though it would be unusual if some Red
Kites did not glide overhead. Stock Dove and Woodpigeon were about, and there
were several records of both the common woodpeckers: Green and Great-spotted.
Of
the corvids only Magpie, Rook and Carrion Crow were noted. Blue and Great Tits were about, and
Chiffchaffs were still making their call (much less distinctive than their
two-syllable song). Nuthatches called
and whistled, and Wrens were heard, usually making alarm calls from the shrubs
and low branches.
Blackbirds
– often one of the most obvious species – were
noted in small numbers, and Robins are now beginning to make their slightly
mournful autumnal song. Dunnock was
recorded - but no finches!
Of
the other wildlife there were notes of Large White, Small White and Gatekeeper
butterflies.
And
the mammals? None recorded apart from humans and dogs! – except for some fresh
rabbit droppings.
Please
keep an eye out for wildlife – of any description – when you go for a walk in
the woods – we need the records!
