April
Tree Pipits Tree Pipits (Anthus trivialis) return to the UK after spending the winter in Africa and stay for the summer months. They breed on heathlands and other open areas where they can often be seen 'parachut... Read more |
Common Toad The Common Toad, Bufo bufo will be busy mating throughout April and May. Look out for this drowsy looking amphibian in shady places by the water. Read more |
Orange-Tip The Orange-Tip butterfly, Anthocharis cardamines is the prettiest of the springtime butterflies and remains a common sight across the High Weald. It can often be seen in meadows and woodland m... Read more |
Green-Winged Orchid The Green-Winged Orchid, Ancamptis morio famously put in an appearance at short mid-wicket on the cricket ground at Stansted Park, West Sussex in May 1992. Happily it was protected by both players and... Read more |
Sweet Vernal Grass Sweet Vernal Grass, Anthoxanthum odoratum has long been regarded as the best grass for chewing due to the sweet taste of the centre stem. Read more |
Holly Blue The Holly Blue, Celastrina argiolus is a light blue butterfly which often flies at head height. It also differs from other blue butterflies in being a butterfly of shrubs rather than of grassla... Read more |
Willow Warbler The Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus) makes its return from West Africa to spend the spring and summer in the UK to breed and raise their young before leaving again in August. This tiny warbler... Read more |
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Chiffchaff The Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita) migrates to the UK from the Mediterranean and West Africa. One of the earliest migrants to return, sometimes in February/early March and one of the latest to de... Read more |
Yellow Archangel The Yellow Archangel, Lamiastrum galeobdolon has leaves that are very similar to the common stinging nettle, but bears yellow flowers rather than white. It is thought that the inclusion of ‘Archangel... Read more |
Common Dog Violet Common Dog Violet, Viola riviana is an easily recognised flower. The ‘dog’ part of its name refers to the fact that it is unscented as opposed to ‘sweet’ violets that do have a fragrance. Read more |
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Cuckoo Pint The Cuckoo Pint or Lords-and-Ladies, Arum maculatum flowers in April, with the distinctive red fruits following in July and August. There are many traditions associated with this plant, but it was par... Read more |
Coral Root Coral Root, Cardamine bulbifera appears at the same time and often amongst bluebells. Now very scarce, this beautiful woodland flower is only found naturally in The Weald and the Chilterns. Read more |
