Looking back at August 2022 one of the defining memories of the month was how warm it was !! With sustained and pro-longed temperatures of over 25 degrees for weeks on end and on some occasions over 30 degrees centigrade; this followed record breaking temperatures in July of 40 degrees centigrade. These temperatures led to drought conditions been declared in Yorkshire, subsequently on the 26th August a hose-pipe ban was declared by Yorkshire water. Strange times we are living in. Yet more evidence that Climate Change is having profound effects on our weather and environment. I enjoyed a very nice trip down to Somerset between the 4th – 8th August however it was a very quiet bird wise. A trip down to Ham Wall RSPB reserve produced Hobby, Marsh Harrier and a single Great White Egret. However, there were some great sightings of a number of Dragonfly species including; Brown Hawker, Emperor, Common Darter and Four Spotted Chasers. On returning back to North Yorkshire the weather proved to be very hot and very counter productive to any real Birding. Not only the weather put paid to Birding …but in the last couple of weeks of August, despite being very careful I contracted Covid and it absolutely knocked me for 6!!! A really evil little virus. Hopefully September will be better!!!
Common Darter: Somerset
Four Spotted Chaser: Somerset
