This month is a time to keep an eye open for migratory birds heading back south towards their wintering grounds as far away as sub–Saharan Africa looking for opportunities to feed up on the berries and bugs present on the reserve. Recently this has included a hobby using the pond glade we cleared last year to hunt dragonflies.
As our weather becomes cooler and more rainy once again fungi will begin to fruit across the reserve providing food for many species of animal before the lean months beyond.
Whilst we begin to notice the days drawing in earlier the butterflies and other insects which have basked in the summer rays will become less abundant as they begin to hunker down.
These turning seasons in the year are also an opportunity for us to look back at what has been achieved so far.
Vast areas of bracken were cut allowing the heather plenty of space to grow and flower in spite of how dry the summer was. This was helped by our regular group being joined by a Nordic walking group, run as one part of Kent Wildlife Trust’s wilder wellbeing programme.
Whilst bird nesting season has drawn to a complete close we would like to remind visitors that free roaming livestock are present across the reserve and ask that dogs are kept under close control or on a lead particularly around our animals. Thank you!
Rich in flora and fauna, this important reserve contains Kent's last four valley bogs and one of its few remaining fragments of open heath.
Margery Thomas, volunteer, has been writing articles about Hothfield Heathlands' flora and fauna since 2016. In this month's article, she reflects on some of August's sightings and recent updates.
It's been a hot few months on Hothfield Heathlands! Long-time volunteer, Margery Thomas, reflects on recent work and sightings.
This year marks 10 years since Margery Thomas began volunteering at Hothfield Heathlands. Since 2016, she's written monthly articles on the reserve's flora and fauna, bringing readers into the heart of the heathlands through rich, observant writing,…
