Rangers View
The Month of August
Hay Bales
August is known as the month to harvest and not just in the fields but in our hedges and woodlands too! For where there is corn in the fields to be harvested there is a harvest of berries to be found in the hedges and woodlands as well.
Wheat
The farmers are continuing to cut the last of the hay. However, this is the month they will be combine-harvesting and bringing in the wheat and oats and vegetables like potatoes. You will also see them out ploughing as well as liming the fields.
Conservationists would like to see the farmers leave the headlands around the field edges uncut. In addition, it is beneficial to leave the stubble as long as possible to allow wildlife the chance to take advantage of all the fallen seeds and cereal left from the harvesting.
Small Copper
On the Downs there is an abundance of different plant species giving the landscape a variety of colours and a good source of nectar for the numerous species of insect that are enjoying the present hot weather. There is still a variety of butterflies to be seen this month like the black and white Marbled White (Melanargia galathea) that likes the grasslands as does the bright orange and brown Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas).
The yellow-flowered Weld (Reseda luteola) comes out this month and stands a metre high. The seeds have been gathered since Neolithic times to make yellow dye. The Romans used it for dying wedding garments. A characteristic of this plant is that the numerous florets follow the sun throughout the day. Therefore, they point East in the morning and West in the evening.
Blackberries
In the woods, wherever you look, there are numerous berries to be found. There are blackberries and late raspberries, which can be fed on by hungry mammals and birds. Another source of berries are the orange berries of the Rowan or Mountain Ash tree (Sorbus aucuparia). The name Rowan derives from the Norse name “Runa” meaning charm and this comes from the superstition that anything in nature bearing a five-pointed star is sacred and a protection against evil spirits. If you pay close attention to the berries you will see the five-pointed star on the orange /red berries. The stems have also been used to make dowsing rods to find precious metals by those that have the gift.
Rowan
Many species of mammal, like the Roe Deer, will be teaming up to find a mate. This month is known as the rutting season for the Roe and you may hear the high pitch squeaking the doe makes to attract a buck. It can sound similar to young sparrowhawk youngsters so keep your eyes and ears open.
In our hedgerows look out for the “cob” nuts growing on the Hazel (Corylus avellana). They are a good source of food if you can find any before the Grey Squirrels and other rodents have had them. The pliant stems of this shrub have been used since the Stone Age for a variety of uses. It has been made into baskets and wattle fences and wattle panels in buildings and daubed to make walls. It has been coppiced not only to make such building materials but it also makes a good thick hedge for keeping livestock in if regularly laid.
Red Currant
In our wetter areas, the water lilies are looking good on the ponds. On the damp edges you may come across the last of the redcurrants that have not been eaten by birds. These were originally wild but we now usually see cultivated varieties in our allotments and gardens. They have been grown as a good source of vitamin C and they are also known as a good thirst quencher on hot days.
In our meadows there is little left after the harvest of hay. However, the wetter areas of herb-rich grassland are best grazed. It makes good fodder for livestock but also with the removal of the coarser growth by the grazing animals it helps give the less dominant species of plant a chance to flourish the following year.
Heathland
On our heaths the heathers are looking at their finest. The commonest is known as Ling (Calluna Vulgaris ) and it derives its name from the Saxon name “Lig” which means fire and was so named because it was a major source of fuel in those days. On the edges of the heath, you may find some Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) in fruit. This plant goes by other names like “Whortleberry”, “Whinberry”, “Blaeberry” even the berries go by the name “Hurts” or “Whorts”. These berries have been collected to make jams and pies for centuries but don’t forget they are food for the birds and animals too!
Next month, it will start to become colder and some birds will think about migrating to warmer climes.
