September 21st marks the day of equal hours of darkness and daylight. Light is important to us animals, it can affect mood and physical wellbeing. It also affects plant life. That is why the old world marks the day of season change by the sun rather than the convenience of the calendar.
As we journey around the sun, so our local environment makes changes, day by day. These changes are evident to those who live close to nature, or work on the land, or the sea. Animals, birds, and insects are more responsive to the subtle changes to their local environment. Plants, including trees, are very sensitive to the change in light values.
Walking around the Green on 21st September, it is clear that autumn has begun. The canopy has already thinned out, shades of green fading to lemon yellow. This very dry year has stressed the trees and they have produced a heavy “mast”, i.e. heavy seed production. However, the drought has resulted in undersized acorns and conkers. Unfortunately, the smaller size of the seed might well affect the viability of germination next spring. It could also be an issue for the wild life since these same seeds are their winter food stock.
Despite the challenges due to drought conditions last summer, our Green has weathered it very well. As the weather finally changed in the last week of August, we have had significant rainfall. The brown hues of the Butterfly Meadow have now become green and lush once more. Drought cracks that appeared in the heavy clay areas has enabled good penetration into the subsoil, which will hopefully begin to swell the groundwater levels and reserves for next spring. It is too late to help the trees, they are now moving towards their dormant period of short daylight and long nights of cold conditions.
The wonder of nature never fails to amaze.
Ian Jefferies
Guardian of the Green