{"id":5703,"date":"2019-08-02T16:00:46","date_gmt":"2019-08-02T16:00:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.theparentsocial.com\/?p=5703"},"modified":"2020-07-03T06:58:51","modified_gmt":"2020-07-03T06:58:51","slug":"animals-to-spot-in-the-uk-in-august","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theparentsocial.com\/animals-to-spot-in-the-uk-in-august\/","title":{"rendered":"Animals to spot in the UK in August"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Bird spotting and butterfly counting were two of the Summer Holiday Challenges<\/a> from my last post. You can extend the wildlife challenge by looking out for animals and insects that you\u2019ll find in the UK in the summer. Find out more about our fair-weather friends below. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Information\ncourtesy of Wild Science<\/a><\/em>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Animals that can be\nfound in the UK in August  <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While the UK is host to a huge number of animals all year round, it\u2019s also a major migration spot. Many of our native birds spend the warmer months with us before returning to Africa and southern Europe when it gets too cold. Just like humans, animals are also a lot more active outdoors in the summer months and the following list includes some of the great animals that can be found across the UK in the late summer, providing ideal animal spotting opportunities throughout the holidays. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

House Martin<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Animals\"
House martins <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As its name suggests, the British house martin prefers to\nbuild its nest from mud on man-made structures like houses. These birds make\ntheir homes across the UK and can most typically be found hunting for insects\nto eat in open countryside before returning to their nests back in civilisation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A relative of the swallow, house martins have the\ndistinctive forked tail, though theirs is slightly shallower than the deep V of\na swallow\u2019s tail. The most noticeable characteristics of the house martin are\nthe white feathers which grow on their legs and toes, giving them fluffy\ntrousers which make them easy to spot when resting on buildings or branches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Swifts<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Animals\"
Swift<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Although swifts begin their return migration as early as\nJuly, sightings of the bird continue through until September, so there are sure\nto be a great deal of opportunities to see them during August. The swift is\nanother bird with a deeply pointed tail but it can be differentiated from\nswallows and martins thanks to its long, curved wings like a boomerang.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blackcaps<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Typically a summer visitor, many blackcaps head back to\nEurope in October, but increasing numbers are spending the winter here, meaning\nsightings can<\/em> happen all year round. The males are distinguished by\ntheir notable black caps; caps of the females are browner in colour. These\nbirds are quite evenly distributed across the country but are summer residents\nof inland Wales, the northwest coast of Ireland and the north of England.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Willow Warblers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This brightly-coloured bird is grey-green in colour with a\nyellow chest and head. They often migrate back in September and October, so\nthey can be found in August in woodlands throughout the UK. The best place to\nsight them, though, is in Leicestershire, where they often breed around Rutland\nWater.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Puffins<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Animals\"
Puffin<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the UK\u2019s most endearing bird species, puffins spend\ntheir summer months on British coasts in Yorkshire, Pembrokeshire and Scotland.\nThese fantastic beasts have brightly coloured, parrot-like beaks, tuxedo\ncolours and orange feet. Many places where puffins make their homes run boat\ntours out to see them as they rest on the rocks and raise their young.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Places where puffins can be seen include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n