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The heatwaves in July and early August, with the sweltering temperatures and lack of rainfall, has left parks, lawns and farmland parched, brown and dry across South Leeds.<\/p>\n
Only now, after a few rainy days, is the grass beginning to show a hint of green again.<\/p>\n
Whilst the beautiful weather has been enjoyable for many of us, the unusually high temperatures has placed an additional strain on some of our local wildlife. You may have noticed that some species of trees are turning brown and shedding their leaves to preserve the moisture in their branches and trunks, some crops have wilted and fruiting plants have been ripening too prematurely (blackberry bushes were fruiting much earlier in the summer than usual).<\/p>\n
It is likely we will experience extreme temperatures more frequently in the summers to come, so as well as thinking about how we might need to adapt to regular heatwaves, also consider how you can help your local wildlife cope as well.<\/p>\n
Hedgehogs and other small mammals can struggle to stay hydrated so it can really help to put a shallow bowl of water on the ground for them, whilst birds can struggle to maintain their body heat as they don\u2019t perspire, so keeping a bird bath topped up with water for them to cool down and providing bushes, hedges and shady areas for birds to hide away and stay cool are all valuable ways of giving nature a helping hand.<\/p>\n
Other species however have been flourishing in the hot sunny weather, butterflies in particular. A few weeks ago, I spent a pleasant afternoon as part of a guided nature walk focused on identifying butterflies and trees in Middleton Park. It was organised by members of Friends of Middleton Park who run guided walks throughout the year which I highly recommend.<\/p>\n
Over the course of the hour and a half walk, the friendly group spent time identifying species of butterflies such as gatekeepers, small blue, speckled wood and meadow brown and marvelled at the variety of magnificent trees in the park and differing habitats.<\/p>\n
Just across the road from Middleton Park, half-way up the hill on the right-hand side, as if you are heading towards the bike park, you may have noticed a small new car park has recently opened which provides access to a network of footpaths into the parkland and tree plantations on the former South Leeds golf course.<\/p>\n
This reclaimed greenspace and rewilding project is becoming another important haven for South Leeds wildlife and contributes to the council\u2019s ambitions in combatting the climate emergency. If you take the footpath up from the car park to the top of the hill you are treated to an impressive view across the valley looking out over the White Rose Centre and across to the fields behind.<\/p>\n
Keep an eye out in the skies above, as this is an excellent spot to see soaring birds of prey, especially red kites and buzzards as they make use of the thermal air currents from the rising columns of warm air on the edge of the hillside. From this vantage point you can get to see them gliding effortlessly, covering a vast area with minimal effort.<\/p>\n
Red kites are magnificent large birds of prey and can be identified by their red-brown colouring and forked tail, which they use to steer and hover briefly before investigating potential food sources. They became officially extinct in England by the end of the 19th century and were only reintroduced and bred at Harewood house in 1999.<\/p>\n
Since this time their numbers have increased and their range has spread across many parts of the city, including South Leeds. They do well in urban areas as they are primarily opportunistic foragers and scavengers, typically depending on decayed animals, roadkill, earthworms and human scraps for food, which they occasionally supplement with small mammals and birds.<\/p>\n
It is possible to see them anywhere in South Leeds if you keep an eye out.<\/p>\n
When I make an effort to pay attention, I usually manage to get a brief sighting of one at some point during the day circling near where I live near Millshaw in Beeston and on the odd occasion, I\u2019ve been treated to a red kite swooping low over the back garden, right over my head.<\/p>\n
Each encounter with these graceful, powerful birds stirs something deeper in me\u2014a sense of wildness, a sharpening of the senses and a feeling of awe that seems to reach back to a more ancient, untamed time. Sadly, experiences like this are becoming increasingly rare in our modern, sanitised and urbanised lives. Yet the return of the red kite to our Yorkshire skies is a reminder that nature does not have to be confined to distant lost landscapes. Through ambitious rewilding efforts, and making space for wildlife, even our cities can still surprise us with moments of genuine natural wonder.<\/p>\n
So perhaps, as September arrives, and more frequent wet weather returns with the season turning, we can reflect back on a summer that has taught us to appreciate another, more familiar natural wonder: rain. Something so fundamental to life that has become so ordinary to us that we barely notice it, until, that is, when it comes in short supply.<\/p>\n
Wonder and gratitude therefore, is not only to be found in the extraordinary moments when a red kite suddenly appears above our heads, but if we take time to notice, it is also to be found in the everyday miracles that sustain us, and the life all around.<\/p>\n
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This post was written by Duncan Wells<\/strong><\/p>\n Photo: Paul Johnson<\/p>\n We encourage anyone living or working in South Leeds to use this website to tell their news. You can either use the Create an article for South Leeds Life<\/strong><\/a> page, or email us at: info@southleedslife.com<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n While you\u2019re here, can we ask a favour?<\/strong><\/p>\n South Leeds Life is published by a not-for-profit social enterprise. We keep our costs as low as possible but we\u2019ve been hit by increases in the print costs for our monthly newspaper which have doubled in the last two years.<\/p>\n Could you help support local community news by making a one off donation, or even better taking out a supporters subscription?<\/p>\n