01-Aug Nature's Bounty

Summary

On August 1st, explore the rich tapestry of August Harvest. Discover the traditions and folklore surrounding this month, from Lammas Day celebrations to the unpredictable weather patterns. Learn about the vibrant flora and fauna, from blooming heather and sea asters to the diverse collection of insects and the quiet preparation of birds for migration.

Join us for an insightful journey through the final days of summer, where every corner of nature is teeming with life and the first signs of autumn begin to appear. Whether you're a nature enthusiast or simply curious about the seasonal changes, this article will captivate and inspire you.

Article

Month Introduction

August is traditionally the month when crops are harvested and so we see rolls of hay in the fields. In the past, harvesting even occurred at night under a bright moon. At such times there was a good chance of seeing shooting stars especially the perseid shower. Rape and barley were usually taken in and possibly wheat and rye. August is also essentially a holiday month, especially for young Londoners, and there is still time for picnics if the weather allows. The weather is notoriously fickle and even the folklore associated with it is full of contradictions. In the first eleven days we are still in the sultry ‘dog days’ of summer. A hot August was always believed to precede a harsh winter and, if it was warm on August 24th, St Bartholomew’s day, this also ensured a warm autumn. The truth is that it can often be wet and windy, especially early in the month. It is also well known for heat waves as well as those marvellous warm nights.

01-Aug Nature's Bounty Section Image

01-Aug Nature's Bounty Section Image

August 1st was called Lammas day, the day a great pagan festival celebrated the harvest. Lammas was a corruption of loaf mass. It was the day the first loaves were made with the newly ripened corn and then blessed. Lammas meadows were private fields set aside for the making of hay and lammas shoots referred to any new unexpected bright green growth on trees. The trees involved may have suffered earlier in the year with infestations such as the defoliating moth caterpillars of the tortrix moth.

The month is also very floriferous but now the flowers are starting to be accompanied by seeds and fruits. Because of this it may be a good time to identify more troublesome groups of plants such as the umbellifers. One of the best places to look for plants now are marshes e.g. Walthamstow, and water meadows such as those near Runnymede and along the edges of rivers such as the Colne, Darent and Wandle. As a great number of wild marsh and aquatic plants have been introduced into Barnes wetland reserve this makes it an easy place to botanise with the minimum of effort.

01-Aug Nature's Bounty Section Image

01-Aug Nature's Bounty Section Image

Although spots of yellow composite flowers can still be seen all over London it is only on heathland we see a blaze of just one colour. This is when the purple heather Calluna vulgaris comes into flower.

01-Aug Nature's Bounty Section Image

01-Aug Nature's Bounty Section Image

A similar show, but a softer lavender colour, occurs where the sea aster Aster tripolium blooms on the small pieces of saltmarsh still left along the edge of the tidal Thames. Gardens at this time of year are noted for their warmer colours, especially if there is a ‘hot’ or tropical border. Few trees bloom this month but the large, showy foxglove-like flowers of the Indian bean tree are common enough in central London.

01-Aug Nature's Bounty Section Image

01-Aug Nature's Bounty Section Image

Although most trees are still in full leaf, one or two are now starting to drop their leaves which we notice as they start to collect beneath them. This is one of the very first indications of autumn. Other trees such as sycamore develop sticky leaves which then get covered in an ugly dust. The first flush of fungi, if the weather has been wet, is yet another autumn indicator.

Birds are now either preparing to migrate or hiding away during their eclipse. Consequently, the month is a quiet one when it comes to birdsong. Some young birds, especially if they are in flocks, are still quite vocal.

01-Aug Nature's Bounty Section Image

01-Aug Nature's Bounty Section Image

Swallows and martins are noticed most as they congregate on wires although one day they will suddenly all be gone. Mammals are continuing to tend to their young and some reptiles such as adders may even still be laying eggs. Again, it is another month with a rich and diverse collection of insects, especially moths. The end of the month usually marks the end of summer and Londoners start commenting on the first cool nights.

01-Aug Nature's Bounty Section Image

01-Aug Nature's Bounty Section Image