The longest day has been and gone and so, although we should have a couple more good summer months, the evenings are becoming shorter. With the hot weather many of the plants have flowered and turned to seed. Hay meadows are ripening and will be ready to cut this month. A number of silage cuts have already taken place and there will be some more to go if the weather stays fine.

Fox (Vulpes vulpes)

Many of the birds are busily searching for food for their young. Particularly prominent are swallows (Hirundo rustica), house martins (Delichon urbica) and wrens (Troglodytes troglodytes). The mammals take advantage of the summer fruits available during this next month such as the wild strawberries (Fragaria vesca) and the raspberries (Rubus idaeus), which are a particular favourite with woodmice (Apodemus sylvaticus), and the omnivorous fox (Vulpes vulpes) also takes part in this summer feast

July is a good month to see a number of colourful plants on the edge of fields. One that you are likely to see is the common poppy (Papaver rhoeas), which sheds its flowers after a single day but individual plants have been known to produce around a hundred flowers within one summer.

Common Poppies (Papaver rhoeas) in a field

The poppy is associated with disturbed ground and during the First World War numerous poppies appeared on the battlefields of France. Since then the poppy has been used as an emblem to remember those that were lost at war on Remembrance Day. On the downs there are two rare species of poppy known as the rough poppy, (Papaver hybrium), and prickly poppy, (Papaver agemone). Poppies are often found untouched where rabbits and deer have grazed other flowers around them.

Shepherd's-needle (Scandix pecten verneris)

The reason poppies are not eaten is because they are full of alkaloids and are found to be poisonous. Despite these defences some of our poppy species and other arable plants are very susceptible to the farmers' use of herbicides and have declined almost to extinction in some cases.

On a more optimistic note however, more farmers are turning to more organic and environmentally friendly forms of farming. This has meant that recently a few of the rarer species have been found to be increasing in numbers such as the shepherd's needle (Scandix pecten verneris). This plant has tiny white flowers and seed pods that appear like long needles. Part of the Latin name "pecten verneris" translated means "comb of Venus" because of the resemblance of the cluster of needle shaped seed pods to an old fashioned comb. Also seen more often now are the beautiful, delicate, blue flowers of the cornflower.

Cornflower

Pheasant's-eye, (Adonis annua)

On the downs the rarest of the arable weeds that turns up on disturbed chalk from time to time is the bright red pheasant's-eye, (Adonis annua). This has become so rare nowadays that it is restricted in Sussex to the Eastbourne area only.

At this time of year there is an abundance of insects, and July is especially good for hover flies, lacewings, butterflies, moths and dragonflies.

Butterfly species that you are likely to see include the painted lady (Vanessa cardui), red admiral (Vanessa atalanta), and the less common clouded yellow (Colias crocea). By wetlands, ponds and streams look out for the dramatic blue and green emperor dragonfly (Anax imperator) or the iridescent, emerald green, beautiful demoiselle (Agrion virgo). Many insects are taking advantage of the plentiful supply of nectar that is available at present. Good places to look for insects are around flowers that give off a strong odour like butterfly bush (Budleia davidii) in gardens and waste ground, and sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa) flowers in woodlands.

Painted Lady, (Vanessa cardui)

Next month, August, I will talk a little about what can be found on our Sussex heaths.