Wildlife to watch in September
English Oak
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These are the acorns of Quercus robur, more commonly known as the English or Pedunculate Oak. It is closely related to Sessile Oak and you can tell them apart this time of year as the acorns of English Oak hang from stalks off the tree twigs and the leaves have no stalks. It is the other way round with Sessile Oak.
English Oak is the most common UK Oak and it also supports more life than any other native tree species in the UK, even its fallen leaves support biodiversity. Did you know, the term Quercivorous means “feeding on oak”? The usual lifespan of an oak is about 200 years, but some live over 1,000 years. Acorns are typically produced when they are around 40 years old. |
Blackberry
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You can find blackberries, along the entire length of the Flitch Way. They have tall, prickly, arching stems and can form dense thickets. In August and September they are covered with ripe juicy blackberries which have a high vitamin C content and can be eaten raw or cooked. They are an important food source for honey bees, bumblebees and other wild animals.
According to folklore, when the devil was cast out of heaven by St Michael, he landed on a bramble bush and cursed it. It was believed this caused blackberries to become unpalatable around 29th September – Lamas or St Michael’s Day – after which they should not be picked. |
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Also look out for
Lords and Ladies
This is an attractive plant with large, arrow-shaped, glossy green leaves that are heavily marbled with cream and, in time, make a dense carpet that covers the ground from late autumn till mid spring.
In spring the pale green spathes grow well above the leaves, followed in autumn by a display of vivid red berries. The plants grow particularly well in moist shade under trees and shrubs. Within a few years they build up to form large clumps, and, once mature plants start flowering and fruiting, self-sown seedlings may appear.
Most parts of this plant are poisonous, particularly the berries.
In spring the pale green spathes grow well above the leaves, followed in autumn by a display of vivid red berries. The plants grow particularly well in moist shade under trees and shrubs. Within a few years they build up to form large clumps, and, once mature plants start flowering and fruiting, self-sown seedlings may appear.
Most parts of this plant are poisonous, particularly the berries.
Red Admiral
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Red Admirals are a migrant species, visiting us from North Africa and Europe between March and November. However, as our winters become milder, more and more have been staying year round in Britain.
Red Admirals have dark black-brown wings, each with an orange-red band. The fore wing tips are black with white spots; the underside is orange, blue and white, while the hind wings are camouflaged dark brown. During September, the butterfly feeds on rotten fruits and nectar from garden and wild flower species, including ivy, which is one of the latest abundant flowering species. |
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