Nature's Almanac: July

The following information is a brief summary of some of the information available in a book by Drew Monkman, Nature's Year in the Kawarthas published by Natural Heritage Inc. of Toronto ( http://www.naturalheritagebooks.com/ ) and illustrated by Kim Caldwell.

July Highlights:

• The warmest month of the year, there are often thunderstorms and hot, humid weather

• The summer triangle and milky way dominate the night sky

• Numbers of dragon and damsefly peak

• Roadside flowers are at their most colourful and diverse

Early July:

• Milkweeds flower and their scent fills the air

• The first shorebirds are already migrating south

• Several species of orchids blook including Rose Pogonia

Mid-month:

• Wetland flowers are at their height with a large variety of species in bloom.

• Basswood trees flower and attract a multitude of bees

• Swallows start congregating on wires

• Cicadas ("hot bugs") start to fill the void left by the decrease in daytime bird song.

Late Month:

• Ripe berries adorn the cherries, honeysuckle and dogwoods. Purple Loosestrife bloms prolifically.

• The first songbirds start heading south starting with the Yellow Warbler.

• Blue Jays have once again become very vocal.

• Grasshoppers are suddenly very noticeable.

• Pegasus, the signature constellaion of fall, becomes visible.

Nature's Year in the Kawarthas by Drew Monkman is available at many locations of Chapters, Coles and W.H. Smith stores.