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Kate Humble: August
Is it really August already? Parts of July were scorching and its great to think that we have much of summer still to enjoy.
Hopefully you will all get to relax which is exactly what our garden wildlife will be doing after the hectic breeding period. Don't be worried by lack of bird activity, they are having a well deserved rest too.
The long, hot dry spell last month made the search for food that bit harder and although they drove us mad, the bumper crop of aphids were a godsend for many birds.
This is where those masters of the sky, swifts, will have been of enormous benefit as they scythe through the sky mopping up insects by their millions.
Swifts can stay in the air for two years at a time so they have earned their nickname but sadly, their numbers continue to dwindle.
It's not too late to tell the RSPB where you are seeing them nesting so they can try and reverse the decline. For information on how to help this fascinating bird contact the RSPB's Wildlife Enquiries team or email wildlife@rspb.org.uk
If you are itching to do seasonal jobs now is a good time to prepare feeders for future use. Give them a thorough clean and they will be ready for the colder weather.
Its always difficult to know when to clear ponds of excess vegetation if they are home to frogs and newts and now is a good a time as any for this maintenance job too.
Leave anything you remove in a pile by the pond to give hidden creatures a chance to return to the water.
Swifts, house martins and spotted flycatchers will be leaving to migrate back to Africa but one of my favourite garden creatures that many people don't even realise are there are bats and they can often be seen feeding above and around trees and shrubs in gardens or bright lights.
They are likely to be one of three species of pipistrelle that we have in Britain and don't be alarmed by their erratic movements!
Kate
To register your swift sightings visit www.rspb.org.uk/helpswifts.
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Weather for Ilkeston
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Light snow
Temperature: -1 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Light snow
Temperature: -5 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South east
