We’ve certainly had a gloomy couple of weeks, even more so at the end of the month as we start to feel the colder weather creeping in. But that doesn’t mean our wildlife hides away!

The rain has provided a much-needed boost, and the great crested newt below particularly loved the muddy ground after a few wet days.

Here are our top sightings for the month which were sent to us via social media as well as a few LWT staff spots!

Great Crested Newt – Middleton Nature Reserve

The Great Crested Newt is our largest newt, identifiable by its striking orange stomach and the jagged crest that the males develop during the breeding season.

It spends most of its year on land before moving to aquatic breeding sites in the spring, however adult males may stay there until as late as October, and some even overwinter in their chosen pond!

Burying Beetle - Lunt Meadows

The burying beetle certainly lives up to its name, buying dead or decaying animals such as birds and small mammals. These carcasses serve as food for their larvae, making them carnivorous.

They have an unusual method of ‘brood size regulation’ in that if the size of the carcass is too small to feed all the larvae, they are known to commit infanticide so that there is enough food to go around. This increases the chances of survival. Kevin Hall posted this great video of one scurrying around at Lunt Meadows!

Peregrine Falcon – Seaforth

It’s great to see a peregrine falcon given their long history of persecution in the 50s and 60s, largely due to factors such as their favour of grouse, the introduction of pesticides and their precious eggs, which were long sought after by collectors. They now have full legal protection under the Wildlife & Countryside Act.

They are the most widely distributed bird of prey in the world, having a presence on every continent except Antarctica!

Bank Vole – Brockholes

This little bank vole was spotted flitting around for food in this great video by North Lancashire Wildlife Group! They are very active and agile animals all throughout the year and aren’t afraid to make an appearance. They are the smallest of our voles here in the UK.

Holly Blue – Astley Moss

This lovely butterfly was spotted by Adam Berry, our Lancashire Peatlands Initiative Assistant Project Officer. Historically it would have been quite rare to spot one in our part of the country, but in recent years it has expanded northwards from its typical southern habitats.

It is a little unusual compared to other grassland blue butterflies in that it tends to fly high around trees and bushes, rather than low to the ground.

Brown Hare  - Chat Moss

Unlike our social rabbits, the hare is quite a solitary creature except for during the mating season. It spends its time mostly above ground and sleeps in a shallow little form, usually on grass.

They are quite famous for their boxing in springtime, but this is more likely to be a female fighting off an amorous male than two males fighting. They can reach speeds of up to 45mph when running away from a predator!

Little Egret – Brockholes

This little egret was spotted enjoying its latest catch by Alex Critchley, our Peatlands Communications Officer. It would have been a rare sight 30 years ago, but as a likely result of climate change they are now starting to make appearances in northern England.

They can often be seen paddling around in the mud to disturb their prey to make it easier to catch!

Special shout-out

A special shout-out to the rogue escaped Pelican from Blackpool Zoo, who spent a day at Middleton Nature Reserve. It went missing on 4th August and was eventually found by the keepers in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, about 65 miles from its home! You can read the BBC story on it here.

What will you spot at our reserves in September? Don’t forget to tag us on Twitter or Instagram or send us a message on Facebook for a chance to be featured in next month’s roundup!