The final month of meteorological summer, August sees a tailing-off of summer wildlife, as it prepares for autumn. Most birds will be in hiding, raising young or moulting, looking to avoid predators, but we should see the first signs of autumn migration. The peak flowering season is past, and insect numbers will reduce as food becomes less available but, whilst quantity may be reducing, quality remains with a wide range of insects out and about.
To find out more of what nature may have to offer in the coming month, read our guide for August.
Why not make the most of the – hopefully – good summer weather, and visit local wildlife sites around Rushcliffe? Click here for some useful links to nature reserves in Rushcliffe, both NWT and Friends of sites, and some other sites outside of Rushcliffe.
Get closer to nature through organised events
Sun 14th Aug – Gotham Circular Wildlife Walk
Taking in Gotham Nature Reserve and Stonepit Wood NR and West Leake Hills (approx 4-5 miles). Meet 9.30 am by the village “totem” pole in Gotham, on the main road through next to the village shop. Contact Gordon Dyne for details (gordon.dyne@gmail.com).
Sun 21st Aug – Friends of Bingham Linear Park Nature Wallk
10 am to 1 pm. Meet at Tithby Road bridge – top of steps leading to walk.
Walk along the local nature reserve to see flowers and wildlife. Path is rough so wear stout shoes/boots. It is very exposed so wear sun cream/hat and bring a drink.
Sun 21st Aug – Cotgrave Country Park Park Fun Day
11 am to 3 pm Free Entry.
Wide range of nature-focused family activities, food and drink stalls and local and conservation charity stalls. For more details, click here.
South Notts Local Group will be there – come and say ‘hello’.
ACTIVITIES FOR THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS
Friends of Rushcliffe Country Park are running a programme of activities through August. Click here for details.
WINTER WILDLIFE TALKS PROGRAMME
Last winter we were treated to a series of excellent online talks to brighten the dark nights: exploring wild flowers in Hampshire, gardening for butterflies in Derby, watching big game in South Africa, birding in Scotland, touring the Scottish Isles and building hedgehog highways in Oxfordshire.
The forthcoming winter programme is looking equally good, and is almost ready for launching. In the meantime, book these dates in your diary: 6th October, 3rd November, 1st December, 5th January, 2nd February And 2nd March (all Thursdays).
WORK PARTIES
Our local nature reserves rely on volunteers to help maintain them, and organise regular work parties. Planned parties for August are as follows:
Sat 6th Wilwell Farm Cutting Springdale Wood
Sun 7th The Hook Reserve Lily Ponds
Sat 13th Wilford Claypits Meadow Park
Thurs 16th Cotgrave Country Park
Details of times, etc. can be found in the Diary section here, so if you have some spare time and energy please feel free to join in – you will be very welcome!
PLEASE NOTE THE WORK PARTY ADVERTISED PREVIOUSLY FOR SHARPHILL WOOD ON 28TH AUGUST WILL NOT NOW TAKE PLACE.
Work parties are also being planned in the next few weeks to help clear the path alongside Greythorne Dyke and the boardwalk. If you can help please email Lorna at Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust (lgriffiths@nottswt.co.uk) and let her know if you’d prefer weekends or weekdays.
Don’t forget, you can find out more about what’s happening with nature in Rushcliffe by following us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SouthNottsWildlifeGroup