©Countryside Agency/Graham Parish

Pebble and seaweed on rock, Saltpan Rocks, Cocklawburn Beach ©Countryside Agency/Andrew Hayward

August brings the golden grain…

Wildlife
Swallows gather on telephone cables and sand martins muster in flocks as they prepare to journey south. After breeding in the northern wetlands, waders return home to river estuaries or continue their migration. Visit the tidal rock pools and look for crabs, sea anemones, shellfish and stranded jellyfish. You can see grey squirrels chase each other through the branches, hear grasshoppers fidget in the grass and watch bats feed on insects over water during the night.

The Long Mynd, AONB Shropshire Hills ©Countryside Agency/David Woodfall

Plantlife
Purple heather flowers cover moorlands and heaths, attracting thousands of bees. If you are walking through spongy lawns of bog moss in upland or lowland bogs look out for insect-eating sundews and avoid treading on them as they take a long time to recover. Grasses turn brown and some trees may shed their seeds or start the process of changing colour. The fruits of the hedgerow, such as hips, haws, sloes, blackberries and elderberries, start to ripen while the caterpillars of the cinnabar moth feed on ragworts, which are poisonous to horses and livestock.

August Factfile
It's traditionally holiday time. Treat yourself to some locally churned ice cream and feel the sand between your toes. Discover what the english coastline has to offer. Find out more on our August Factfile

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Calendar Dates

Apple picking plant, Blackmoor Estate, Nr Liss, Hants ©Countryside Agency/Tina Stallard

European Bat Weekend 30th - 31st August 2008

Grouse shooting season starts on 'the Glorious 12th' - 12th August 2008.

August Bank Holiday is on 25th August 2008.

Activities And Events

AONB Cley Beach, Norfolk ©Countryside Agency/Andy Tryner

Marine Week is between 2nd - 17th August 2008. Visit the Wildlife Trust website for details.