September in the Valley

What you can expect to see...

September is when autumn starts officially and in the natural world autumn is the period of ‘all change’. Very few species are able to cope with the coming cold winter without a drastic change in their lifestyle. The shedding of leaves by deciduous trees so completely associated with this time of year is just one strategy that plants have adopted to survive the impending inhospitable conditions. However, our winters have become increasingly mild over the years and it’s possible that this year could follow that pattern, but then again as our weather is so unpredictable it’s also possible that we will have a really cold, harsh winter just like last year, time alone will tell.

Migration south to warmer climes is one way the more mobile species deal with the changing weather and the bird migrations of the Blackwater Valley are the highlight of the bird-watcher’s year. By September bird migration is well underway. Birds that have spent the summer breeding in the Valley will be moving south. Some, like Swallows, gather to form large flocks before setting out en masse. Others, such as the Chiff-chaff, move as a constant procession of individuals.

The autumn migration also provides an opportunity to see birds that do not breed in our area, but use the gravel pits for re-fuelling during passage. Black Terns and Sandpipers are two examples of birds that may call in for about a few hours before flying on.

If the weather remains warm and sunny your chances of seeing the many species of butterfly still flying will improve greatly. One to watch out for is the Red Admiral our Butterfly of
the Month, found in most places in the Valley. Painted Lady, Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell should also be on the wing during the month.

After one of the dullest Augusts for nearly 20 years it will be interesting to see what the weather conditions will be like this month and how it will affect the Valley’s wildlife. Cool, damp conditions will allow many plants to extend their season. Late flowering species such as Devils-bit Scabious, Hardheads, Toadflax and the naturalised Michaelmas Daisies could last to the first frosts. This will help support the autumn-flying nectar-seeking insects.

Damp conditions will benefit many berry-producing plants allowing all the fruit to develop properly. Look at the hedgerows to see the results, fruits of the, Hawthorn, Blackthorn (Sloes) and Rowan. These berries will support great numbers of birds such as Redwings, Fieldfares and other Thrushes that flock to this country especially for the feast, as well as providing food for our permanent resident breeding populations. 
                    

  
   Bird of the Month
   Wheatear   >>>

  Butterfly of the Month
   Red Admiral  >>>

   September sightings>>>

   September events >>>                

Did you know...?

That the collective name
for a flock of Goldfinch is
a charm. Quite lovely and very appropriate.
    

  
About Spindle

For most of the year
the Spindle Euonymus europaeus is a rather inconspicuous shrub, but autumn is when it comes
into its own and turns into one of the most decorative shrubs around.

Firstly the leaves gradually turn from dark green to a deep lustrous red, making the whole plant appear to glow with colour. But even more spectacular are the unusual pink and orange seeds, hanging in clusters and looking very much like miniature Chinese lanterns. The bright pink, four-lobed seed capsules split open to reveal fleshy tangerine orange fruit inside (pictured above), making a truly spectacular sight.

With its dense, hard, white wood spindle was once used for spinning wool. The ‘spinsters’, usually unmarried girls, held the raw wool in one hand and rotated it on to a stick of spindle with the other; the rotation kept the wool fibres tight and helped draw the loose wool into a thread. As well as spindles the wood was also used to make toothpicks and knitting needles and was known as skewerwood and pegwood indicating some of its other uses. Today it makes a quality charcoal for artists.

Medicinally the powdered leaves and seeds were once dusted on the skin of children and animals to chase away lice.