Celebrating July 2025

July in Suffolk turned out to be a mixed bag of heatwaves and a few stunning downpours. On the whole it’s been dry, and our gardens, fields and wildlife have been feeling the pinch, but as the month comes to an end, temperatures are close to normal for the time of year.

THE VILLAGE FETE

The 5th of July saw the village institution that is the summer fete. The weather gods smiled on us and kept the rain away so, even though it wasn’t exactly sunny, it was warm. Thanks to everyone who put in so much effort for this event, from the organisers to the cake bakers and volunteers 🙂

IN OUR GARDENS

What can we say? It’s been glorious, floriferous, and scrumptious! Here are just a few of the blooming marvellous sights we’ve enjoyed.

IN THE COMMUNITY ORCHARD

Otley Community Orchard is looking lovely. Have you visited it yet? There’s a variety of fruit trees, vegetable planters and also an impressive bug hotel, plus log seats to use if you fancy stopping for a while. And nearby, you’ll find the ‘Queen’s Platinum Jubilee’ Oak tree in the wildflower section of field.

IN THE FIELDS

My beloved bean flowers have turned into wizened-looking beans and as I write this, most bean crops are now in, as are the rapeseed crops and winter barley, and wheat fields are just starting to be harvested.
One unusual crop around us this year is a strip of sunflowers planted by the Lings. You can buy them at the farm. And why wouldn’t you? If ever a flower was grown to make you smile!

IN THE HEDGEROWS AND WILD BITS

I tasted my first blackberry of the season yesterday (28th July). Just bursting with flavour! Most bushes are still a while off being ready, but in sunnier corners you can already find various berries including sloes (from the blackthorn bushes), hawthorn berries, and nuts are coming along too, such as hazelnuts – though I doubt we’ll get a look in with these as the squirrels will get there first.
I also saw my first mushrooms of the year recently. Now that really does make it feel like we’re Autumn-bound. (Yes, I know we are but we can hopefully relish sunny days for a bit longer).

WILDLIFE

I don’t know if you agree but I’ve been seeing many more hares this year than previously. I just love watching them. I’ve also seen a couple of foxes – one of which occasionally visits our garden to say hello – and there’s plenty evidence of badgers around though I’ve sadly not bumped into one since early June.

We had an egret visit us in mid-July (not a great photo I’m afraid), and a young buzzard got very close when he/she decided to attack our second batch of moorhen chicks. So that’s where the babies have been disappearing to! Our moorhens are not happy 🙁

We also spotted a grass snake in our garden but didn’t manage the get a photo, then a few days later our dog brought us this snakeskin as proof.

What I’m not seeing is hedgehogs. Anyone else seen any around recently? I fear the dry weather (and cars) are decimating our prickly friends.

Well, that’s my round-up for July. I’m sure I’ve missed lots of amazing and beautiful things so if you ever fancy sending me photos to add to this blog, I’d be very happy to receive them. Let’s shout about our corner of Suffolk and brag about the beauty in our natural surroundings.

Amanda x

PS: If anyone has the time and would like to help, the Otley Community Council is looking for new members and also volunteers.

Last modified: July 30, 2025