Are we nearly there yet? Signs of summer

Emma Chaplin
, 18 June 2024
Are we nearly there yet? Signs of summer
Skylark © Damian Walters

It's been a tricky year, weather-wise. We asked around the staff team for things - sounds, sights, smells etc - that make them feel that summer has really arrived. For me, it's the arrival of screaming Swifts over Lewes!

A few people mentioned sun cream - the nearest you'll get to that scent in nature is Gorse - which smells of coconut.

Filma Dyer, CEO office

Hearing and seeing Skylarks.

Laura Ross, Rye Harbour

The glimmer of emerald and sapphire as dragonflies dart in and out of the reeds and rushes.

Brilliant Emerald Dragonfly © Dave Sadler
Brilliant Emerald Dragonfly © Dave Sadler

Gemma Pratt, membership

The smell of rain! Let's embrace the wonderful lushness of this country.

Nightjar © Neil Fletcher
Nightjar at Iping Common © Neil Fletcher

Chris Corrigan, CEO

Churring Nightjars on a warm summer evening on one of our Sussex heathlands…..accompanied by hordes of irritating midges!

Amanda Reeves, Communications

Starlings and Blackbirds bringing their recently-fledged brood to bathe and drink in the bird bath in my garden.

Starling in a bird bath © Neil Fletcher
Starling in a bird bath © Neil Fletcher

Lydia Baxter, Wilder Ouse

Watching the puffs of pollen whoosh into the air like a mini cloud of smoke when the breeze or an animal disturbs the grasses and flower heads. Controversial for those who have hay fever maybe, but I’m a fan.

Louise Colbran, Membership

Bees buzzing on our beautiful-smelling Lavender.

A female Bumblebee flying from a Devil's-bit Scabious flower © Dave Kilbey
A female Bumblebee flying from a Devil's-bit Scabious flower © Dave Kilbey

Elizabeth Griffiths, Finance

Hot pavements. Sneezing (from hayfever). Brown grass.

Sarah Ward, marine team

I love the smell of tomato plants. Takes me back to being a child at my grandparents' house, they would always have tomatoes growing in their window.

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