Natures Calendar

August

August is a good time to catch glimpses of sand lizards, slow worms and smooth snakes basking on hot stones. The air is still, the occasional breeze adds relief to our unaccustomed warmth as summer peaks.

As a wildlife artist in Cornwall and living within walking distance from the sea, I frequently watch Terns on Swanpool beach dive for sand eels while fisherman using sand eel, cast their rods for mackerel. The picture is complete when I spot a loan seal on his personal quest to catch the mackerel.

I will be taking several wildlife trips to the most southerly point of the British Isles, The Lizard, here in the county of Cornwall this month. The unusual rock formations are altered peridotite, part of the earth’s mantle, normally 30-200km below ground. An abundance of wild animals and sea life can be captured all year round at this point. Dolphins will be dipping and diving in and out of the water, whilst the basking shark lies just beneath the surface in these peaceful surroundings. On land rare migrant butterflies and moths from Europe sit majestically on leaves, enjoying their new habitat in an area where wildlife conservation protects their stay.http://www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk/