September 2017 - Sussex Wildlife Trust - Say ‘Hello’ and Wave ‘Goodbye’
September 22nd, 2017
Say ‘Hello’ and Wave ‘Goodbye’The dominant theme for nature this month is migration. In September Sussex becomes an international hub for some amazing long distance journeys.
Migration will never cease to amaze me. In August I watched a family of freshly fledged reed warblers crashing around on their first flights. They could barely stay airborne for more than a few seconds. Yet they are now joining our other summer migrants; falcons and doves, swallows and martins, whitethroats, whinchats, wheatears and wagtails in a mass evacuation of England. Pouring out through the river valleys of Sussex and across the seas, mountains and deserts beyond; over every church house, gin house, school house and outhouse between Crawley and the C’ote d’Ivoire.
And as they head south they’ll pass butterflies still intent on pushing north – painted ladies, clouded yellows, and red admirals - beautiful insects which surge into Sussex from Spain in September. Other insects are also making the cross-channel trip on delicate wings – dragonflies, such as the migrant hawker – all trying to make the most of the summer before it fades.
At night, the insect invasion continues with continental moths such as vestals, silver-y and convolvulus hawkmoths. Look out for the amazing hummingbird hawkmoth, its whirring wings a blur as it nectars in your flower-bed. Meanwhile other bird species are arriving from the north – some just refuelling as they pass through, others - who find the winter temperature in Sussex hotter than the Highlands and balmier than the Baltic, will stay with us; waders and wildfowl feeding on the estuaries, owls and harriers hunting over the downs.
Sussex gardens will also become a winter destination – ‘your’ blackbird, with whom you have shared the garden all summer, may shortly be joined by a blackbird belonging to Mr & Mrs Morgansson of Kongsvinger, Norway. And let’s not forget that through the centre of Sussex runs a series of aquatic migration highways; the Arun, Adur, Ouse, Cuckmere and Rother. Throughout the year their waters channel the mighty sea trout, the eel and the weird sea lamprey from the deep ocean to shallow spawning grounds upstream. These aquatic migrations are just as impressive.
This September head out in Sussex and watch the natural world on the move.
by Michael Blencowe of the Sussex Wildlife Trust
Sussex Wildlife Trust is a registered charity caring for wildlife and habitats throughout Sussex. Founded in 1961, we have worked with local people for over half a century to make Sussex richer in wildlife. We rely on the support of our members to help protect our rich natural heritage. Please consider supporting our work.
As a member you will be invited to join Michael Blencowe on our regular wildlife walks and also enjoy free events, discounts on wildlife courses, Wildlife magazine and our guide book, Discovering Wildlife in Sussex.
It’s easy to join online at www.sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/join or by phone on 01273 497532.
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