June
Brown Argus
A small butterfly, the Brown Argus, Plebeius agestis has brown wings with a row of orange spots. The adults have a silvery appearance as they fly low to the... Read more
Nightjar
Look and listen for the Nightjar, Caprimulgus europaeus at dusk on warm, still summer evenings. During this time the Nightjar feed on moths and beetles, and with their wide... Read more
Broom
The Broom, Cytisus scorparius is a shrub commonly found on heaths and as well as being useful as animal fodder and bedding, basket making and in herbal medicine as a... Read more
Cotton Grass
The silky-white seed heads of Cotton Grass, Eriphorum angustifolium, were once used in Sussex for stuffing pillows. You would need to gather a lot of seed heads to fill a... Read more
Sundew
The Round-leaved Sundew, Drosera rotundiflora traps insects by means of sticky drops on its leaf, then digests them. It is believed insects are trapped to supplement the plants nitrate... Read more
Water Milfoil
Water Milfoil, Myriophyllum spicatum is a feathery, submerged water plant that is very appealing to fish for spawning. It grows in still or slow-moving water. A similar species, Parrot's... Read more
Reedmace
Reedmace, Typha latifolia begins to produce its distinctive, sausage-like seedheads this month. It has been put to little practical use in this country, but is frequently used in Chinese medicine... Read more
Small Skipper
Small Skippers, Thymelicus sylvestris are marvellous flyers, manoeuvring expertly through tall grass stems. It is these darting flights that normally alert an observer to their presence. Closer examination will reveal... Read more
Large Skipper
The Large Skipper Ochlodes faunus is a common butterfly in England and can be found in almost any sheltered patch of grassland that contains tall clumps of coarse grasses. Males... Read more
Adder's Tongue
Adder’s Tongue, Ophioglossum vulgatum makes an appearance, with its distinctive tongue-like spike encased by an oval leaf. It was once believed to be a cure for snake-bite. Read more
Crested Dog's Tail
The Crested Dog’s Tail, Cynosurus cristatus is a distinctive grass that was used in the 19th century for making bonnets. Read more
Common Knapweed
The Common Knapweed, Centaurea nigra, has often been used to determine true love. From the familiar game of removing petals one by one to a chant of ‘he loves me... Read more
Dog Rose
Dog Rose, Rosa canina flowers from throughout June and July. Scrambling through hedgerows, the long arching stems bear beautiful pale pink flowers. It is said that the name originates... Read more