Perhaps the most popular of the summer insects are the butterflies and July is probably the best time to see them as they reach the most colourful stage of their life cycle. Visit a meadow on a warm, still day and you will see a beautiful array of butterflies, including the common blue, small skipper and meadow brown.
Look closely for the tiny but vivid small copper. It will be basking with its wings held open and often shows a preference for yellow flowers when nectaring. If it flies by, you may catch a glimpse of the brilliant copper wings.
The Countryside Teams manage grasslands by the traditional methods of grazing with animals and hay cutting. In July grasslands such as those at Owlet Hill in Derwent Walk Country Park, Stargate and Cross Lane meadows are a riot of colour and attract huge numbers of insects, such as bumble bees, hoverflies, grasshoppers, beetles and ladybirds.
The first swifts leave for Africa towards the end of July. If you see waders such as green sandpiper, greenshank or ringed plover they are probably birds that for one reason or another have failed to breed.
The chance of seeing a live badger is very small because they are shy and nocturnal. However, at this time of year you may come across small holes in the ground where badgers have been digging for worms. Occasionally you may find a bee or wasp nest dug out as the grubs are one of its favourite food.
The red kites are now feeding their young. If the birds nest in a suitable place, the Thornley Woodlands Centre will be running a 'Kitewatch' event to give you an excellent chance of spotting them. Look out in the press for details.