A Summary of the whole of August 2022 - Heatwave 2

 One heatwave is enough for one year but August suddenly became very hot again, and the heat lasted longer but thankfully less severe.

The month began with drizzle and breezy but with a foreboding Red Moon on 7th heralding the return of the hot weather bringing out the Grasshoppers, Crickets, ants and bees from their nests in the dry sloping ground. Jays were seen investigating the thousands of young acorns in the old Oaks. On 11th it became very hot with a yellow sun which continued the following day with the humidity down to 24%, very dry for West Sussex. Common Darter dragonflies were out. In normal summer weather they usually choose the driest stoney paths on which to bask and warm up.

 Young House Sparrows were performing their first 'Singing Together' chorus in the hedgerows since fledging.

The atmospheric pressure fell on the 14th and it remained very oppressive in continuing heat the following day. On 16th, after eight days  the heatwave collapsed and gave way to very welcome rain in the dark morning with House Sparrows remaining under cover in the thunder and lightning that followed. As the rain cleared it was good to see that the river was running faster, with a brilliant view of a Kingfisher flying low over the water. Blackbirds appeared along the river banks, foraging in the wet undergrowth. The next day, bird activity was remarkable with all the usual summer birds reappearing as it started to rain again. Chiffchaffs were calling to each other and the mid afternoon temperature had fallen to 18 degrees C.

On the 18th a Kingfisher appeared, calling and flying fast heading south along the fresh river, the water level having risen slightly again. There were more birds, including three Dunnock on the path. Fine drizzle continued on 19th with bright Hawthorn berries glistening on bankside trees.

Hawthorn berries remained on the trees

The sight of red Hawthorn berries here is quite unusual as normally they are plundered by wildlife before reaching ripeness every summer, as are often the first berries to appear in the summer.

On 22nd and 23rd there was more reassuring drizzle with active Jays, Speckled Woods and Large and Small White butterflies along the banks - and more rain on 25th. On 26th a Southern Hawker dragonfly was active, and several Gatekeeper butterflies seen amongst the newly flowering Fleabane.

By the end of August it was back to normal along the river with Sparrowhawks hunting again.