Wildlife Watch - What to look out for in October!

Knot (Calidris canutus)

One of the wildlife spectacles anywhere, not just in Lincolnshire, is the massive wader flocks appearing now for the winter. Literally hundreds of thousands of birds have moved from the Arctic Circle to feed in the rich mudflats of The Wash. As the high tide rises these birds are moved from their roosting sites to higher ground. The knot is a small wading bird that congregates into the largest of these flocks. Arriving here from as far as Arctic Canada and many will move further south to Europe. A fantastic spectacle from Gibraltar Point.

Common Toad (Bufo bufo)

Many common toads can now be seen foraging in wet grass to feed up for their winter senescence. Not as fast moving as the common frog and with a distinctive warty look to their skin. The smaller ones will be this year’s young but many of the larger adults are also seen now.

Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria)

This active butterfly is still on the wing, often soaking up the rays to be found in the dappled sunlight near trees and bushes. These are the last adults that will mate and then this species, uniquely amongst British species can overwinter as either a chrysalis or caterpillar.

Ruddy Darter (Sympetrum sanguineum)

This deep red dragonfly is still very active during sunny days in October. Very similar to the common darter, it can be separated from this species by the club-like tail. The male and female stay locked together as the female lays the eggs, often on the ground next to a pond, by dabbing her abdomen.