July was a strange month with very wet weather and some swelteringly hot days. The farmers have had to postpone their harvest one moment then had to work flat out at other times to ensure they could bring in the crop without it becoming wet. It is good for conservation when farmers cut crops to leave some of the headland edges so as to give insects nectar from certain arable flowers to feed on. It also acts as cover for small rodents and small birds from predators like foxes and hawks. Also the longer farmers can leave stubble in the fields the better it is for the smaller creatures to find a food source in the form of cereal seeds. In wetter areas that have herb-rich grassland it is good to graze at this time of year to help remove the coarse growth and give finer leaved plant species a better chance to grow next spring

Round-headed Rampion Phyteuma orbiculare

The downland at this time of year has an abundance of different plant species giving the landscape a variety of colours and a good source of nectar for numerous species of insect found there. One of the most striking flowers to be seen is the Round-headed Rampion (Phyteuma orbiculare). This plant is locally known as the "Pride of Sussex".

The Raspberry Rubus idaeus

The Raspberry (Rubus idaeus), which is a native of this country, can be found in woodland edges on the Downs and on heathland native to this country. Because the fruit is very popular it has been cultivated for hundreds of years. It likes sunshine so it can often be found in woodland clearings too. It also seems to tolerate colder climates so tends to be found more frequently at higher altitudes than 600 feet above sea level but this is not always the case. The Raspberry is picked and used for jam and wine making and is delicious with a sprinkle of sugar and served with cream. It is a good food source for many mammals and birds as it is filled with nutrients and vitamins.

Another plant that tolerates a colder climate in the winter is the Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus)

Bilberry Vaccinium myrtillus

however there are exceptions to this rule. This plant goes by a number of other names like Whortleberry, Whinberry, Wimberry or Blaeberry. These are relatives of the Blueberry which is the commercially grown American species, however they tend to be much larger plants with much larger berries than the ones found growing wild here in Sussex and Hampshire. These plants have been sought out for centuries for their berries and even the berry itself has names like "hurts" and "whorts". In the spring the flowers give insects a good source of nectar and in the summer they give a great supply of berries for the birds and animals. The berries are good for us because they are full of vitamin C and D and can be used to make jam and pies.

Red Currant Ribes rubrum

When out and about keep an eye out for another wild fruit often growing in damp areas of ancient deciduous woodland, namely the Red Currant (Ribes rubrum). The fruit of this plant is usually scarce and not as large as the plants that are grown commercially. The fruit has been known for centuries to be a good thirst quencher on the continent and again is filled with lots of vitamin C. It also makes an excellent jelly.
This month look out for the Gatekeeper butterfly (Pyronia tithonus) that can often be found flying around the edges of woods and scrubland.

Gatekeeper butterfly Pyronia tithonus

It is a brown coloured butterfly with orange on each wing and has one or two small black white-centred spots on the underside of the forewing. As a caterpillar earlier in the year it is found feeding on grasses like Annual Meadow-grass and Cocksfoot. At this time of year you can see them feeding on flowers or searching for a mate. The heaths have turned purple this last month with the heather coming out into bloom.

The Smooth Snake Coronella austriaca austriaca

Hidden in the heather there are many insects that are predated on by snakes and lizards. Sadly, because of the diminishing areas of heath in the south, species like the Smooth Snake have decreased in numbers too. The Smooth Snake (Coronella austriaca austriaca) once was more commonly found on our heaths in the south. If you want to learn more about the Smooth Snake and its other native relatives you can visit Iping Common car park, West Sussex on 4th September, 2.30 p.m. 2002, for an informative guided walk telling you all about them. You will also have a rare chance to see all our native species of reptile together.

 

Next month in September there will be more fruits to talk about.