The Country Diary of an Edwardian Garden
For regular updates on the changing seasons at Mount Ephraim,
click here.by Mark James
They say that it is the Swallow that heralds the arrival of summer, but surely the unquestionable ownership of ‘High Summer’ must belong to the Swift! The last to arrive and the first to leave each year, these high-octane aerial specialists are here for two short months. Having flown from Africa, they spend all too brief a spell in this country and at the nest. All too brief because it is the only time that they are not on the wing. They spend the remainder of the year in flight! Feeding, mating and even sleeping on the wing. They achieve this remarkable feat by the extraordinary ability to shut down half of their brain at one time, and effectively, sleep at the same time as remaining awake!
So if the swifts are the harbingers of summer, then it can equally be argued that when they leave, they take the summer with them. And they are already long gone for this year! Swifts and cuckoos are the first to make the all important decision of when to leave, spurred on by that mysterious, instinctive urge to migrate.
It is easy to see why the mysteries of animal migration still continue to puzzle and fascinate scientists to this day. True, they have come a long way since the days of believing that swallows hibernate in the mud at the bottom of ponds, but they still only know some of the answers.
As I write (the last week in August) the swallows and house martens are still here, gathering in ever increasing numbers. Depending upon the weather they, the swallows at least, could be here for a couple more weeks yet, but their departure is imminent. Countrywide, birds are gathering for the ‘Big Push’ or have already committed themselves to the gamble of migration.
An influx of Chiff Chaffs and willow warblers in the gardens several weeks ago, was presumably either our birds gathering in readiness to leave, or a wave of birds already on the move, passing through from further north. Birds of all shapes and sizes from Corncrakes to Ospreys, Nightjars to Spotted Redshanks and Garganeys and Redstarts will do just that. Some migrate a relatively short distance, moving across into Europe for the winter, whilst others will push on, and travel vast distances down into Africa or across and down into Asia.
Many of the long distance migrants are small birds. Seemingly ill-equipped to travel such vast distances. And not forgetting that the youngsters reared in the Gardens this year will not only be making the journey for the first time, but completely unaided and unguided other than by the amazing phenomenon of instinct.
As we wave a fond farewell to our summer visitors, we shall soon welcome with the other hand, the heralds from the north. The Redwings and Fieldfare, Waxwings, Geese and Swans. They too are gathering, in northern climes, fidgety and restless, as the changes in light levels and temperature unconsciously trigger their migratory instincts.
The swans and geese, at least, will migrate as a family. The young birds learning traditional routes and stopping-off points from their experienced parents.
Bewick’s swans have facial patterns that are as unique as fingerprints, and so individual birds can be recorded and named. At wildfowl centres such as Slimbridge, scientists will be eagerly awaiting the arrival of familiar faces, that may well have been spending their winters there for years.
Although we do not have the pleasure of welcoming well known, familiar individuals to the gardens each autumn, the hundreds of avian visitors that we do receive and who choose to spend the winters with us, will be welcome none the less!
ALSO OF NOTE:
- It is another excellent season for fungi. Very many different species, of all shapes, sizes and colours.
- A new alpine bed being constructed on the Rock garden, to mirror the existing one.
Mark James started working at Mount Ephraim in 1996, after leaving Art College, where he studied wildlife illustration. Whilst he does not have any horticultural qualifications, Mark has always had a life-long passion for natural history, as reflected by his hobbies and interests. Mark keeps and breeds exotic insects, is a collector of insects preserved in amber, and has a large collection of cacti. A regular attendee at the regional meetings of the British Cactus and Succulent Society of which he is a member, Mark is also Vice Chairman of the Hernhill Horticultural Society.
For regular updates on the changing seasons at Mount Ephraim, click here.