August: A Monthly Muse

August is a pivotal time in nature's year when high summer begins to slip into early Autumn, blackberries have started to appear in hedgerows, leaves are turning yellow and things begin to slow down.

Things to look out for this month:

Swallows and Martins gathering on telegraph wires as they prepare to make their long journey back south for the Winter.

Elderberries, hazelnuts & sloes are starting to ripen, and early mushrooms can be found - if we ever get any rain! Check out this handy foraging guide.

Lammas Day is celebrated on 1 August - marking the first grain harvest of the year, a loaf of bread would be baked and shared to celebrate earth's bounty and give thanks.

Go outside on the night of 13 August to watch the Perseid Meteor Shower at it's peak - find out more about this spectacular show here.