What to look out for this month
May’s sunny weather has ushered in an explosion of bright colours as nature has burst into life. Dragonflies and damselflies are on the wing in great numbers, bees are buzzing, and butterflies are gracing our gardens.
Look out for Swallows and Swifts of summer swooping over water and grassland, picking up insects to feed their young. Soon they will be starting to build up their fat reserves ready to make the journey south again in a few months. Other species could be arriving on our shores, including Hummingbird Hawk Moths, the occasional Swallowtail and Painted Lady butterflies. This is also the best time to see fledgling birds finding their feet, and taking the skies for the first time.
Whether you are staying home or out and about, feel happier, healthier and more connected to nature by doing something wild every day for 30 days this June. No matter where you live, wildlife and wild places are all around, waiting to be discovered by you. Sign up to 30 Days Wild here.
What to spot this month
- Elder Blooms
- Ox-eye daisy
- Bats
- Common Spotted-orchid
- Painted Lady butterflies
- Yellow Horned Poppy
- Elephant Hawk Moth
- Yellowhammer
- Beautiful Demoiselles and Banded Demoiselles
- Foxgloves
- Solitary bees
Tell us what you've seen
There are many more species to be spotted this month so keep your eyes peeled and don’t forget to submit your sightings via iRecord. These records are then shared with the Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre, who hold species data for the county.
Sussex Wildlife Trust nature reserves to visit this month
Iping and Stedham Commons are an outstanding example of lowland heath and are well worth a visit in June. Many of the plants growing here can exist in no other habitat. Insectivorous Sundews lure in prey with their sugary sticky red droplets, whilst Bog Bush Crickets crawl over the soft cushions of Sphagnum Moss. From Digger Wasps, Tiger Beetles and Field Crickets to Dartford Warbler, Woodlark and Nightjar, a visit to this reserve truly is a special wildlife experience.
Sussex Wildlife Trust Courses
See what events and courses Sussex Wildlife Trust are running this month.