Nature Notes: May 2023

'THE LOFTY MIRACLE OF LIGHT AND LEAF' (H.E Bates)

Not long after I crossed the small stone bridge over one of our streams, a pure black rabbit darted across the footpath in front me. It disappeared into a swathe of wild garlic, whose clusters of star-shaped flowers had only just appeared, complementing the white 'dots' of blackthorn blossom left in swirly 'tidelines' by floodwater that had overspilled the banks a few weeks previously. Thankfully we had sunshine at Easter- and during other moments in between all the 'April showers'- and the accompanying intermittent warmth brought forth a kaleidoscope of unfurling greens in our hedgerows and woods by the end of the month.

Bluebells raised their necks to form floods of lavender seas under a canopy of unfurling acid-green translucent beech leaves, whilst sunbeams filtering through the trees, highlighted even the hairs trimming their edges. Blowsy yellow Brimstone butterflies seeking out purple flowers flitted around Speckled Woods in streams of light, whilst wood anemones and dog violets smiled up from patches of dappled shade. I was distraught to find someone had illegally 'dug up' the entire patch of early purple orchids next to the footpath in one of our ancient woodlands, but I'm thankful that a more 'remote' group, away from prying eyes still remains. Cherubic pink cuckoo flowers have been 'having a field day' this year as a profusion of them beautifully edge our banks and ditches - however, although they are essential to the life-cycle of the orange tip butterfly, I've only yet seen one 'flutter' this year so far.

As you can imagine the Tawny-Mining bees that have been emerging from the 'soil volcanoes' in my lawn since mid-April, are glad about 'No Mow May' and the insects and birds that feed on them, have been pleased for a while about the wildness of my un-weeded beds. My garden, though small, has been a hive of activity with a new family of sparrows and robins nesting in my front porch - that fledged by the third week of April. I spied my first house martins and swallows, back from Africa, wheeling in the skies above mid-month and skylarks have been mating and dribbling notes over the field behind!

On a more serious note, many neighbours have been commenting on the reduced numbers of birds in their gardens whilst continuing to use pesticides and weedkillers, cutting hedges and destroying the habitat on which they and their food source depend. And now, it appears that not just my 'sky-lark field', but in fact all three, between the A29 and Clapgate Lane, have been sprayed with some poisonous concoction as the wild plants and flowers have turned a sickly orange, killing everything within reach. I found the beautiful body of a dead goldfinch at my feet and the burble of the skylarks have fallen worryingly silent ...

May is normally a feast for the senses! A wonderfully melodious month, starting off with 'International Dawn Chorus Day' on 7th May 2023, it's a time not just bursting with new life, vivid colours and song but the uplifting scents of blossom and flowers! Despite the current record temperatures en route, more migrant birds are due back, insects are buzzing and wild flowers are in bloom. Traditionally we would have been seeing and hearing cuckoos, swifts, and nightingales, cockchafers (or May Bugs), Holly Blue butterflies, blue damselflies, hedgehogs and if we're lucky, Roe deer kids hidden in long grass (born May and June). We're probably more likely to be entertained by more nest-tending and fledglings, slow-worms (see below), Hawthorn blossom, cow parsley, early elderflowers, colourful Hawkmoths, Cabbage Whites, Pied flycatchers and Woodcock (around Dedisham) taking to the skies to display their bizarre 'roding' courtship.

So this month why not get further involved? Suggestions include the following:

a) Rise with the lark and enjoy the dawn chorus. b) Take part in 'No Mow May' and leave your lawn uncut for a month or longer. c) Place a piece of corrugated iron near some long grass in a quiet spot in your garden. As the heat rises, watch out for insects, field vole nests and slow-worms/grass snakes beneath and lizards sunbathing on top. Check for new signs of life carefully, quietly and sporadically. d) Plant a tree for King Charles Coronation or take part in his volunteer initiative: HERE.

Wishing you all a suitably 'majestic', meaningful and magnificent Coronation May!