A few tips from the wildlife team for August

Here are a few suggestions, tips and hints for things to do and see during August;

• Go wader watching, many migrant waders are turning up around inland and coastal wetland sites giving a good chance to brush up on your identification skills. Our wetland reserves are great places for this, have a look here for your nearest.
• Pond maintenance, if your pond is looking a little choked and needs some TLC, this is the time to do it. Remember to leave any vegetation you remove next to the pond so any creatures can find their way back to water. More tips on pond care can be found here.
• Look out for the last swifts, these amazing birds have now mostly finished their breeding season in the UK and are heading south on their long journey to Africa, if you have not yet reported swift nesting sites or screaming parties then there is still time, follow the link here.
• Get to know dragonflies, these aerial predators are often easy to spot over water during warm sunny days in August, if you get any pictures of them we would love to see them.
• Support our UK Overseas Territory appeal, find out more here.
• Keep an eye out for birds showing signs of illness, this time of year is when trichomonosis is often reported as well as the recent increase in sightings of avian pox, you can find out more information and how to report cases of these via the links to our website here and here.
• Get to know your berries, a good way to identify trees and shrubs is to have a look at the berries and fruits, this year things seem to be developing much earlier with ripe blackberries, rowans and hawthorns already.
• Put some transfers on the outside of your windows to prevent birds colliding with them, visit our shop to get some.
• Leave an area of long grass over winter, this will help insects and in turn help the birds that feed on them. For other hints on managing the lawn for wildlife, check out the Homes for Wildlife project.

Enjoy!