The Longest day has been and gone and so 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. Fields that have not been cut for silage or hay are being grazed.

The farmers have been taking advantage of these last weeks hot weather and are working hard to bring in their hay and silage. Also the fields of wheat and barley have in some places turned to a beautiful golden colour and towards the end of this month we may see that some corn has been harvested. I have noticed a number of hedgerows severely cut back this last month. A trim where essential along roadsides with poor visibility is fine but to really hit hedgerows at this time of the year not only looks untidy but also destroys bird nests. Hedge cutting removes food sources in the form of seeds, berries and nectar and has serious

Fox (Vulpes vulpes)

consequences not only on birds but mammals and insects too. There are, of course, always species that take advantage of these devastating effects on the environment and they are the magpies and foxes that temporarily gorge themselves on the defenceless chicks that have either been thrown out of their nest or have already been killed by the flail.

Many of the birds are busily searching for food to feed their young. Particularly prominent are Swallows (Hirundo rustica), House Martins (Delichon urbica) and the Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes). Mammals take advantage of the summer fruits available during this next month such as Wild Strawberries (Fragaria vesca) and 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

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 is 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) by running streams.

Painted Lady, (Vanessa cardui)

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 such as Buddleia (Budleia davidii) in gardens and on waste ground and Sweet Chestnut (Castanea sativa) flowers in woodlands.

On the Downs there are a variety of plant species to look out for and one of the most prominent is the Bird's-foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus). It has many other names like "Lady's shoes", " Lady's stockings", "Crow's toes" and "God Almighty's thumb and finger". The flowers themselves are shoe-shaped whereas the seedpods resemble bird's claws.

Kidney Vetch

The name "Trefoil" refers it the three prominent leaves you can see looking like a three-leaved clover, however on closer inspection you will see two other small leaves close to the stem. Sometimes you can find this plant with red or orange streaks on the yellow flowers and then it is sometimes called "Eggs and Bacon". Bees and wasps pollinate the flowers of Bird's-foot Trefoil. While the leaves of this plant, are the food source of the Dingy Skipper and the Green Hairstreak Caterpillars.

Wild Liquorice (Astragalus glycphyllos)

Another yellow flower out on the Downs is the Kidney Vetch. It has the other name of "Lady's fingers" because of the white furry appearance it gives when fully mature mimicking gloved fingers. This is also a good nectar source for bees and wasps.
Both these two previous species are members of the pea family and another much larger member of the pea family is much rarer on the Downs, is called Wild Liquorice (Astragalus glycphyllos).

This plant used to be called "Milk Vetch" because it was believed that if fed to goats, they would produce a better yield of milk. The botanical name "Glycphallos" means "sweet stem". This sweet stem's taste does resemble the liquorice plant "Glycirrhiza glabra" when chewed hence its name.

Wild Basil (Clinopodium vulgare)

One of the herbs to look out for on the Downs is the Wild Basil (Clinopodium vulgare). It attracts numerous insects for its nectar because of its strong smell. This pleasant smell has long been used to cover up unpleasant odours. It was included in poses and decorations for judges during the Middle Ages.

It was used in warding off diseases by wearing it and was believed to help against convulsions, jaundice, cramp and a number of other ailments. Today the cultivated basil is used either on its own or with other herbs to improve the flavour of many meals.

Hemp-agrimony (Eupatorium cannabinum)

On areas that have recently been cleared of scrub from downland there is a successful early pioneering plant called Hemp-agrimony (Eupatorium cannabinum). The leaves do resemble the hemp plant and originally it was thought to be in the same family as Agrimony. Its flowers have been gathered and used to make a red dye for clothing and it is a wonderful source of nectar for insects.

However, it can be a nuisance on sites where downland is trying to be restored because it has a tendency to swamp out less dominant plant species.

Common Gromwell (Lithospermum officinale)

An unusual flower quite often over looked is the Common Gromwell (Lithospermum officinale). It has small white flowers and is one of a few plants to produce grey-white seedpods later in the year. The name "Gromwell" derives from two French words meaning, "grey millet". The botanical name "Lithospermum" means "stone seed" and this refers to the hardness of the seed.

Lastly, a small tree found on the downs shows itself especially on windy days by showing the white underside of its leaves as they are blown about. This tree is known as Whitebeam (Sorbus Aria).

Whitebeam (Sorbus Aria)

The name derives from the Saxon "Weiss baum" meaning "white tree". It is a tough tree that can survive harsh conditions and because it is decorative with its white leafed undersides and orange berries later in the year it is grown in gardens and new building developments. In the past the wood was made into cogs for machines until iron was used, while the berries were used to make sauces to be cooked with venison.

Next month I will talk about what to look out for in the later part of the summer.