September - overview
September sees the transition from Summer to Autumn, the weather
can still be warm but the shortening days bring change such as
cold nights and with it the possibility of frost. The Autumn Equinox,
21st - 23rd September is when there is equal periods of night
and day and marks the start of Autumn. This period is celebrated
as Harvest Festival, and is known as the 2nd harvest, the first
being August 1st known as
Lammas.
What to see
By now birds will have moulted their feathers and their appearance
less scruffy, there is still plenty of food to eat, but as the
month progresses they will begin to establish their territory
in preparation for winter. Summer visitors such as
Swallows,
House
Martins and
Swifts
leave early in the month. Other birds such as
Meadow
Pipits start to migrate to lowland areas.
The
insect population declines rapidly with the progress of the month.
This is the time that
wasps
may become more of a nuisance. During the summer they have been
feeding their larvae in return for sugar saliva. Now there is
no larvae to feed as the queen has stopped laying eggs, the wasps
search for other food such as fruit to feed on.
Dragonflies
and
Damselflies
are now becoming scarcer as our weather becomes a challenge for
them; cold wet and wind makes it difficult for them to survive.
The large Hawkers such as the
Common
Hawker will be seen less, the smaller
Common
Darter (photo left) is probably the one dragonfly
you are likely to see during the month.
Spiders
and
Cranefly
(Daddy-long-legs) can be seen, noticeable by their long
dangling legs and weak flight.
House
spiders as their name suggests are seen in the house,
looking for somewhere warm now the weather is becoming cooler.
Himalayan
Balsam is flowering early September, its pods exploding
as it spreads seed in a wide direction. The hedgerows are full
of berry particularly
Hawthorn,
elderberry and
blackberry.
The leaves of deciduous trees begin to take on their russet colours.
Fungi start to appear in woodland and fields.
Key dates:
Az nice a munth az yoh cud wish, Fur eightin venison or fish
Bill o 'th' Hoylus September 1873
An now the reaper fills hiz greedy hands, An binds the golden
sheaf wi' brittly bands.
Bill o 'th' Hoylus September 1874
If you have any dates, information about weather or observations
about nature, stories or folklore relating to this month contact
us and if suitable will add to the page - please local to Haworth
and the surrounding area only.
Dragonflies
