Nature Notes – August 2020

At this time of year, with many flowers in full bloom, butterflies are evident, especially brimstone, peacock, red admiral and small tortoiseshell. Occasionally we have a huge influx of painted ladies from Africa. We also have day flying moths but they tend to be small and drab. However, one surprising variety found in the village is the humming bird hawkmoth.

It mimics a humming bird in the manner in which it puts its large proboscis into flowers to feed on the nectar (see photo). Spectacular hawkmoths can be seen in late evening and may have highly coloured wing spans of two to three inches. The swifts will leave in the next week and already flocks of lapwing and geese are feeding on the stubble. Where has the summer gone?