August is a time when birds have their “summer moult” to renew their feathers and replenish energy before they begin their long migration journeys south. Birds are vulnerable to predators when moulting, so they will often hide or skulk in the thicket, and as a result there is a hushed quiet in the woods. Swifts and swallows are the first to leave for sub-Saharan Africa with their youngsters in tow, some only five weeks out of their nests. When migration begins in earnest at the end of the month, waders and flycatchers pass by our shores, heading south. But even if the woodlands are quieter, the insects are still buzzing and you will see dragonflies, damsels, bumblebees and butterflies on the wing in the meadows, moors and heaths. Look out for the ladybirds and see if you can find a two-spot or even a seven-spot.
The first harvest celebration begins on the first day of August, named Lammas Day, or Loaf Mass Day, when a loaf of bread is traditionally brought to the church to be blessed. The cereal harvest in pre-industrial Britain was one of the most important harvests and one of the two major celebrations alongside Christmas/ Yuletide. It has also been recorded that in past centuries a goddess effigy made of wheat sheaves, with a flower crown, would be wheeled around to bless the fields, an echo of the old Corn Goddess.
On 23 September we have the Equinox, the time when there are equal amounts of day and night throughout the world. It also indicates the first day of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere and of spring in the South. As the swifts start departing to warmer areas, we are reminded of the inevitable change of season. So let’s take advice from these wise birds and take a few days off to renew our own feathers and share a good harvest with old friends. True to tradition, this is the season to count our blessings.
Positive Ecological Restoration Stories
Hallelujah: the church fires fossil fuels
The Church of England’s £10.3 billion Church Commissioners’ fund has decided to divest from oil and gas companies such as Shell, BP, Equinor and TotalEnergies. “The Church will follow not just the science, but our faith – both of which call us to work for climate justice,” said Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury. The Church of England’s decision is a progressive and committed response to the climate emergency. “The climate crisis threatens the planet we live on, and people around the world who Jesus Christ calls us to love as our neighbours,” Archbishop Welby said. “This should be a moment of moral reckoning for other investors and for our government,” said Charlie Kronick, one of the oil finance advisers to Greenpeace UK.
Legal canopy for Amazon rainforests
Deforestation in Brazil’s Amazon has dropped by a third according to new data and latest satellite imagery. “The effort of reversing the curve of growth has been reached. That is a fact: we reversed the curve; deforestation isn’t increasing,” said João Paulo Capobianco, the Environment Ministry’s executive secretary. As a response to his commitment, President Lula has invited all the leaders from the Amazonian nations to discuss a total end to net deforestation in Brazil’s Amazon by 2030. Jair Schmitt, the Head of Environmental Protection at Brazil’s Federal Environmental Agency said, “Bottom line: we are prioritising environmental law enforcement.”
Whales may safely laze
Iceland’s last active whaling company, Hvalur has announced its imminent closure due to a sharp drop in demand for whale meat across Iceland. The public has become aware of the suffering of whales from these hunts and are turning their back on the whaling industry. A full ban could eventually be enforced, Iceland’s Food Minister, Svandis Svavarsdottir said: “I have taken the decision to temporarily stop whaling, if the government and hunting licences cannot guarantee the welfare requirements according to Iceland’s Animal Welfare Act, this activity has no future.” “There is no humane way to kill a whale at sea, and so we urge the minister to make this a permanent ban,” responded Ruud Tombrock, HSI Europe’s Executive Director.
No more fear of flying
NASA and Boeing are partnering to design a new aircraft named the X-66A that will radically reduce fuel consumption and aim for sustainable aerospace in the future. The designers are tasked with net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. “The X-66A will be the next in a long line of experimental aircraft used to validate breakthrough designs that have transformed aviation, we’ll have an opportunity to shape the future of flight and contribute to the decarbonisation of aerospace,” said Todd Citron, Boeing’s Chief Technology Officer.
Sky Events
There is a Full Moon on the first day of August that coincides with the Lammas Festival and is known as the Grain Moon. On 12 and 13 August, the Perseids Meteor Shower passes us with up to 60 meteors per hour. Best viewing will be 12 August and the morning of 13 August. On 27 August, Saturn is visible all night long and with a good telescope you should be able to view Saturn’s rings. On 31 August we have a second Full Moon in one month, referred to as the Blue Moon, hence the expression “once in a blue moon” as this is a rare occurrence. On 19 September, Neptune will be close to the Earth, but only a powerful telescope will reveal the small blue dot in the distance. Equinox occurs at 06:43 UTC, with the Harvest Moon on the 29th. The Harvest Moon is the full moon during the equinox period each year. This Moon will be much brighter and larger this year than usual.
August Tides
Spring: 2nd-3rd and 17th-18th
Neap: 9th-10th and 25th-26th
September Tides
Spring tides: 1st-2nd, 16th-17th and 30 Sept-1 Oct
Neap tides: 7th-8th and 23rd-24th
Andreas Kornevall is a Swedish storyteller, author and ecologist. He is the Director of Operations for the Earth Restoration Service Charity based in the UK
