So, now that the heat of August has passed, which really dwindled much of the visible and audible wildlife, September has had cooler and wetter conditions, which has brought the local wildlife back in abundance. On morning walks you might have noticed lots of spider webs catching the light, stretched out between ferns or grasses, these seem to be everywhere. I think they are garden cross spiders (harmless to us), I got some pretty good photos, but honestly they’re pretty creepy close when zoomed in so I’ve not shared those.
I have seen more hawkmoths, and perhaps even a Hornet Mimic Hoverfly on the buddleia near the Archimedes Screw, they can’t sting you but they really do look like a hornet. I was pleased to see a colourful jay inquisitively looking around the trees near the Torr Vale Tap – gorgeous reds and iridescent blues.
Speaking of shimmering blues, the kingfisher is regularly around flying up and down the rivers, I have seen them pretty much every day, albeit often a fleeting glimpse as it whizzes by, often at a similar time to when the grey wagtails and dippers are on the same stretch. There have been some cormorants too, and the goosanders are gathering in decent numbers now too – very elegant proud looking large waterfowl with a reddish head and long red beak.
There are still lots of long tailed tits, and quite a number of goldcrests – you can her them, but my goodness they are hard to photograph. They are smaller than a wren and never stop moving in and out of leaves. When they do look at you, they look really angry and disappointed with a down turned mouth! They are full of character. I have seen quite a few kestrels – maybe our very own New Mills fledglings, and some buzzards sitting on the overhead cables, or circling high up with broad wings. It is a great time of year to get out in our New Mills nature areas, especially just as the leaves are starting to change colour. Enjoy!
John Kitching
Photos from New Mills Wildlife Photography
