Nature Notes - July 2024
Sickleholme Nature Notes
In truth, July was a month with disappointing news across several areas. Sadly, the eggs laid by our pair of Barn Owls failed and it may be a little late for the birds to try again this year. Several possible reasons include inexperienced parents, predation of the eggs, or lack of food for the adults meaning that the eggs were left unattended for longer than might be usual.
Despite some early good weather, and another hot spell at the month end, butterfly numbers were well down. There were some decent counts of Meadow Brown and a few Gatekeepers and Small Whites, but well below our experience of recent years. Unfortunately, this pattern was also reported by both the Derbyshire Butterfly Recorder and nationally by Butterfly Conservation, with the wet winter and spring being stated as the cause. One bright spot, however, was seeing several Ringlets (see image) which have only colonised the course very recently.
Knowing that insect numbers are down, also helps to explain our shortage of Swallows (those seen were often feeding close to the ground in search of food) and the Swifts departing very early. Paradoxically, warblers holding territories around the course involved good numbers of Chiffchaff and Blackcap; most of the latter in the central ravine. Willow Warblers, however, followed the national trend with only one confirmed report of a bird singing.
With the colours in the East Field now fading, it was time to look at the flora on the course. The purple of the Betony stood out on the 9th as is always the case, the pale blue Harebells have spread delightfully, and there are some impressive Water Lillies on the practise ground pond.
A mixed month, therefore, but still much to enjoy.
Bryan Barnacle
