What's Happening in September 2011

Autumn is here

Despite this, September heralds the onset of autumn as vegetation dies back and traveller’s-joy (old-man’s beard) drapes itself across the hedgerows in areas with calcareous soils.

There are also a wide variety of ripening berries on offer in the hedgerows throughout the county. For example, elderberry bushes attract a wide variety of migrating warblers and are always worth checking.

Brambles alive with life!

In addition, bramble bushes sustain not only birds but small mammals and many different insects. Take a close look for yourself and you may be surprised!  For example, dark bush-crickets are widespread in our hedgerows. Listen for the distinctive ‘chirping’ of the males which is produced when they rub their raised forewings together. 

Fattening up for winter

There are still plenty of small insects and spiders in the undergrowth and warm days in autumn are the ideal time for common lizards to feed and gain weight before they hibernate through the winter. At this time of the year it is sometimes possible to see several individuals, including dark coloured juveniles basking together with adults in the autumn sun.

Fascinating fungi

A walk through grassland or woodland in September is bound to rejuvenate our curiosity about fungi as their varied fruiting bodies catch the eye. Whereas there are well over 2,000 different species of flowering plants in Britain, there are almost ten times that number of different fungi. Of course, many of them are microscopic including yeasts and moulds in addition to the more familiar mushrooms, toadstools and bracket fungi. However, the importance of fungi in the natural world is immense.

For example, they perform an essential role in breaking down vegetable and animal matter to produce the nutrients required for future plant growth. They have intimate underground associations with tree roots for mutual benefit and are critical to the early development of the minute seeds of orchids. They are needed for making bread, and in the production of beer and antibiotics. However, sometimes it is enough to marvel at the colourful fruiting bodies that suddenly appear across the landscape, as if by magic! 

True dedication

By September, most of our birds have finished breeding. I’m always amazed by the dedication and tenacity of the stonechats on our local heathlands. At present, they are teaching their third brood of fledglings to fend for themselves before they all desert the heath for more reliable feeding grounds during the winter. The heathland yellowhammers have also raised three broods and recently we’ve witnessed a female feeding up to three of her fledglings on birdseed strewn on our lawn.

Watch out for the hobby

In contrast, one of our summer visitors that delays the start of breeding until June is the hobby. The young birds left the nest in the second half of August and parents are now teaching their offspring how to catch dragonflies and moths. This spectacular falcon times its departure to coincide with swallows and martins which provide a further abundant supply of food which is acquired on the wing.

Ospreys heading south

Another spectacular bird of prey whose southerly migration through Dorset peaks in September is the osprey. Coastal harbours and estuaries together with inland waterbodies with fish offer good opportunities to spot this magnificent predator whose ability to hover and then dive for surface swimming fish never fails to thrill.

I'm nearly there...

And finally, my 42toDo challenge is almost complete with 41 reserves visited and Brownsea Island awaiting a visit later this month. What better time to visit our DWT Reserve to see the charismatic red squirrels and take in the spectacle of avocets on the lagoon!

Written by John Wright
Dorset Wildlife Trust Member & Volunteer

Traveller's joy - Ken Dolbear

Dark bush-cricket - Ken Dolbear

Common lizards - Ken Dolbear

Sulphur polypore - John Wright

Female yellohammer feeding fledgling
- John Wright

Swallows - Ken Dolbear