Nature Notes - July 2022
Sickleholme Nature Notes
There were plenty of welcome contributions from members during July, a number of which expressed concern about the newly planted trees and shrubs, since the recent hot weather and the lack of watering has left many looking very distressed. The plantings were provided by Network Rail under the biodiversity net gain requirements of the Environment Acts and this arrangement required them to water and maintain the plants. Sadly, this has not been the case and the club remains in discussions over this and related matters. Hopefully, there will be more news that can be released in due course.
Other comments came from members who, like me, had been unaware of the land around the course that is owned by the club. By the time that I took a photograph of the East Field (see attached) the buttercups had faded but there was still a wide display of Ox-eye Daisies and the potential for that area looks very promising. Inside the course, both Betony and Harebells (a personal favourite) came into flower, and we boast both Great and Rosebay Willowherbs. The willowherbs are much favoured as host plants by the impressive Elephant Hawk-moth and I am pretty certain that we have plenty of those. This month’s second image is of one taken in our Froggatt garden.
Yet another butterfly species was recorded during the month when several Ringlets were seen. In flight they can look dark and quite plain but when settled a neat set of gold rings can be seen on the underwing. So far, they have avoided my camera!
Bird records included small family parties of Mistle Thrushes, noisy Jays, our resident Pied Wagtails, a small party of Starlings (remarkably scarce around the course) and another Red Kite sighting. The latter species frequently advertises it’s presence by its call (a catlike meow) which is very similar to Buzzard so is always worth checking.
We still have more summer to come but there are also signs that the year is moving along. The berries on our Rowan trees are ripening and the Hazel tree in the ditch just short of the 9th green is already showing nuts.
Bryan Barnacle
