May
Dingy Skipper
The Dingy Skipper, Erynnis tages is a butterfly that is becoming increasingly rare in the UK. In the High Weald it is becoming rarer due to habitat loss and due... Read more
Woodlark
Woodlark (Lullula arborea). This bird is a highly regarded songster of open heaths where its beautiful song flight sweeps the bird upwards in slow ascending spirals until the song ends... Read more
Marsh Gentian
The Marsh Gentian, Gentiana pneumonanthe is a scarce plant that can still be found on damp heathland in the Weald. Read more
Bracken
The emerging ‘fiddleheads’ of Bracken, Pteridian aquilinium are a familiar sight. Less familiar are some of the uses that have been found for the fern in the past, including animal... Read more
Yellow Flag Iris
The Yellow Flag Iris, Iris pseudacorus is seen frequently. It is sometimes called Segg, which comes from the Anglo-Saxon word for a short sword. When you look at the blade-like... Read more
Water Crowfoot
Water Crowfoot, Ranunculus aquatilis, begins to cover ponds, ditches and streams with a carpet of beautiful white flowers. Read more
Ragged Robin
The Ragged Robin, Lychnis flos-cuculi is so named because of its’ deeply-lobed petals that form a ragged or torn look. Read more
Petty Whin
Petty Whin, Genista anglica, is a spindly shrub, often found growing in amongst Ling. Unusually, the flowers change from yellow to green when dried. Read more
Yellow Rattle
Yellow Rattle, Rhianthus minor flowers from May onwards. The seeds are held in capsules which do rattle when ripe. In centuries past, this was used as an indicator that the... Read more
Ox-Eye Daisy
The Ox-Eye Daisy, Leucanthemum vulgare is sometimes known as a moon-penny as it can seem to glow in the fields on moonlight mid-summer evenings. Read more
Quaking Grass
Quaking Grass, Briza media, gets its’ name from the small heart‐shaped spikelets or cones which tremble and dance in the slightest breeze. Read more
Common Sorrel
Common Sorrel, Rumex acetosa is sometimes used in salads and nibbled by children, but is also known as Sour Docks or Vinegar Leaves due to it’s tart flavour. Read more
Bird’s Foot Trefoil
The Bird’s Foot Trefoil, Lotus corniculatus has a large collection of country names such as Eggs and Bacon that refer to the flower colour, and the wickedly accurate Granny’s Toenails... Read more
Speckled Wood Butterfly
The Speckled Wood butterfly, Pararge aegeria is common in woodlands wherever dappled light occurs. It appears to be an early beneficiary of climate change. A medium sized butterfly, the speckled pattern... Read more
Blackcaps
Blackcaps (Sylvia atricapilla) arrive to breed from Europe and as far away as Asia and Africa in the spring, and some now overwinter in this country and can regularly be... Read more
Blue and Coal Tits
Blue Tits (Parus caeruleus) will be familiar to most people, and like the less familiar Coal Tit (Parus ater) will be noisy and active with their young. Even less common... Read more
Green Woodpecker
The Green Woodpecker (Picus viridis) is the largest of the three woodpeckers that breed in this country. It has a heavy-looking body, short tail and a strong, long bill... Read more
Lily of the valley
Lily of the valley, Convallaria majalis has one of the most beautiful scents of any of our native flowers, and can be seen in abundance in some of the High... Read more
Herb Paris
Herb Paris, Paris quadrifolia is a plant that loves shady, half-lit corners of woodlands. The name ‘Paris’ has nothing to do with the French capital, but comes from the Latin... Read more
Garlic Mustard
Garlic Mustard, Alliaria petiolata is often known by the country name of Jack-by-the-hedge. It was commonly used in the 17th Century as a flavouring for fish and lamb and has... Read more
Wood Melick
Wood Melick, Melicia uniflora, is a delightful woodland grass with brilliant green leaves. Read more
Bush Vetch
The flowers of Bush Vetch, Vicia sepium, look very dowdy and faded from a distance, but close up very are attractively marked with dark green veins. Read more
Herb Robert
The pink flowers of Herb Robert, Geranium robertianum are a common sight in shady hedgerows and woodlands this month. Once used as a remedy for toothache and nosebleeds, the freshly... Read more