WILDLIFE WANDERINGS
WILDLIFE TRAVEL, BY CHRISTINE DONNELLY September can be a lovely month for walking in the countryside, enjoying the last signs of summer and the start of autumn. Many birds that nest here in the warmer months have prepared for their flight south by feeding to build up their flight muscles. A highlight of the year is the gathering of swallows before they leave, particularly over water, which once led people to think they hibernated in mud under our lakes. Like the majority of our migrant birds, however, they head for Africa where food is more plentiful during our winter. The young of our ‘resident’ birds are now dispersing so listen out for tawny owls near local woods, and for robins as they sing their ‘autumn song’ whilst looking for good ‘territories’.
Barn swallow This autumn may produce a bumper crop of fruit due to the recent rain and warm weather. Our hedgerows and woods should be full of berries and nuts which are an essential food source for many animals. The blackthorn’s berries are the ‘sloes’ of sloe gin so pick them quickly if you want your share. Some of the more colourful berries are those of hawthorn, guelder rose, rowan, honeysuckle, spindle and black bryony, but the last two are very poisonous, so don’t touch any berries unless you know they are safe. Dormouse Many small mammals rely on fruits and nuts in winter, storing some for harder times. Dormice love blackberries and hazelnuts and, locally, only survive in areas where enough of these grow. Unlike many animals, they do not store food but
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must fatten up for hibernation. Having ‘golden’ fur, large black eyes and a fluffy tail, they are very ‘cute’ but they are very rare. You can join the Flit Vale Local group of The Wildlife Trust on the morning of Saturday 28th September at Flitwick Moor to see some small mammals that will have been caught overnight. For details of this and other events organised by The Wildlife Trust check www.wildlifebcn.org or phone the Trust office at Priory Country Park on 01234 364213. September brings spring to countries south of the tropics and those with a ‘mediterranean’ type of climate are famous for their amazing displays of wild flowers. Western Australia is a plant lover’s paradise, famous for its large number of colourful flowers and shrubs and with magnificent forests. Red Kangaroo Paw, Western Australia With a stunning coastline and exciting birds and mammals, this is a favourite destination for a wildlife holiday. Wildlife Travel will be running a trip there in September 2014.
Contact 01954 713575 or check www.wildlifetravel.co.uk for details of this and other holidays. Any profits from Wildlife Travel are donated to nature conservation through The Wildlife Trusts. Christine Donnelly
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