Ranger Andy Goddard tells us what we might find on the Common this month if we keep our eyes open
Main photo: © Jonathon Wretham
Summer rain has meant an abundance of berries this year
“Rowan trees have the most…last summer they suffered but this year they are laden which could mean we are due for a tough winter – . old timers say a glut of berries on trees is followed by a really hard winter! Rosehips are another thing to look out for and, if the squirrels haven’t beaten you to it, you might find some hazelnuts!
I spotted the yellow and black striped wasp spiders for the first time on the Common last year and the county recorder came out and added them to official records. There are more this year – you’re likely to find some in any remaining long grass.”
Even though the grass was cut back in early September, there are a few areas of long grass left,
“If we just mowed the grass and let it rot it would promote nutrients in the soil” says Andy “the wild flowers wouldn’t be able to compete against the vigorous grass, that’s why it gets taken away rather than left. The uncut areas provide a refuge for butterflies and invertebrates too – if we cut it all we would be taking last year’s caterpillars. When I was doing the cutting this year there was a kestrel and a buzzard circling waiting for something to pop out!
You might find slow worms in the long grass and baby toads and frogs out of water ready to hibernate in winter.
There will be small mammals like hedgehogs looking to hibernate – they love piles of leaves and logs and will be foraging for food like beetles, caterpillars and worms to conserve as much fat as possible for the cold months ahead.”
And this time of year is a prime time for fungi
“ You’ll find field and horse mushrooms in the grass along the roads and under the trees, clusters of curved stemmed Sulphur Tufts, especially on dead birchwood logs. There are some poisonous red spotted Fly Agaric around under the Birch trees and in Larks Meadow behind The Black Horse and you might see a few puff balls.”
As well as looking after the Common the Parish Council manage the allotments There is usually a waiting list for plots but there are currently a few available.
“Theoretically now best time of year for digging and doing the preparation ready for spring next year otherwise it’s a mad rush to get it all done in April.”