The Red Admiral is one of the most familiar and widespread UK butterfly species. Towards the end of June, I’ve seen many fluttering around. Once, when walking by a hedgerow one settled on my jacket before fluttering off, flying round and landing back on me, six or seven times. It was surprising and lovely. And […]
Hawthorn What are those hedges and small trees covered in white blossom? If it’s late April or May, there’s a good chance those white blooms are common hawthorn. At this time of year the hedgerows and woodland edges burst into creamy white, sometimes pinkish, blossom. The common hawthorn – or Maytree – is in flower.
“When the chiffchaff sings, spring begins” First Migrants to Return Several species of birds, including swallows, swifts and cuckoos migrate to the UK in spring. The first to arrive is the chiffchaff, who can be heard from around mid-March. They spend the summer here, breeding and feeding their young on insects, before leaving for warmer
