In late August, with the sixth potential heatwave of the summer looming, we must pause to appreciate Hogshaw and thank it for its protection. A green oasis of wild, native plants in contrast to the ‘tinderbox’ of so many other areas recently as the images so clearly and visually demonstrate. With so little shade cover surrounding the area of Fairfield as seen in the shade map below (shademap.app), the lush, wooded valley of Hogshaw provides much needed protection. Hogshaw’s diverse, deciduous trees with their high water content keep the ground cooler and damper acting as a natural firebreak between the close cut, monocultures of the surrounding fields. In addition the trees transpire, cooling the air by releasing the moisture absorbed by their roots as water vapour from their leaves. This air conditioning effect of Hogshaw is what Fairfield folk desperately need.
The cooler, diverse habitats of Hogshaw are also a refuge for several new sightings recently. The clouded yellow butterfly, immigrant to the UK from north Africa and southern Europe, is regularly spotted in the South of England and more recently Derbyshire but this week saw the first recorded sighting in Buxton. Roesel’s Bush cricket, also spotted at Hogshaw in the past week, is starting to expand northwards from the South East as temperatures rise. And peregrine falcons have been regular visitors to Hogshaw over the past couple of weeks, including this morning. You might have to be quick to spot them though as they can reach over 200 miles per hour when diving for prey!
So thank you, Hogshaw for keeping us all safe in these uncertain times…here is an ode to you…
