Kent Wildlife Trust Volunteer
Margery Thomas, volunteer at Hothfield Heathlands, shares some of the highlights on offer at the reserve in August. Learn more about the species found here such as the beautiful yellowhammer.
Updates on how to stay cool at Hothfield Heathlands in September from Margery, as well as fire alert updates from Ian Rickards, Area Manager.
Margery Thomas explores the beautiful and unique flora and fauna you can look forward to spotting on the Hothfield Heathlands in September.
We have had the driest spring since 1956, with river and stream flow already well below average for the time of year, a worry for everyone. Area Manager Ian Rickards reports that “this crazy weather has been beneficial for some insects, but the vegetation is already struggling, which will have a knock-on effect other insects later in the year. Water levels are dropping dramatically, with ponds and water bodies drying out very quickly.” The livestock have water troughs but the thin layer of peat in the bogs can dry out easily and be eroded by wind when exposed as plants adapted to damp conditions wither. The successive broods of nestling birds mostly eat insects and larvae, which provide moisture as well as protein, so they are also at risk.
