An early May view of the downs

April had its traditional showers this year but with some very peculiar localised freak conditions too. Whilst some areas were having pleasant sunshine others were having torrential rain. Some places had severe thunderstorms with hail whilst others had snow. There was even one hot day that felt just like a scorching hot day in August. This rain, followed by the warming sunshine has meant that many grass fields have greened up well. Livestock on the farms have had enough to feed on with out having to supplement their diet or having to move them on quickly because of the risk of erosion. Many of the crops are also starting to grow as well as the wild plants that can be found along our roadsides and hedgerows. The countryside is alive with bird song and mammals with their young. The woodlands are looking spectacular, especially the ones carpeted with bluebells. May well deserves its folk title “the month of flowers” and there certainly are plenty of them wherever you look. At this time of year orchards are looking spectacular with the blossom coming out. Some plants have come out earlier and others are late. The countryside has turned many shades of green and there is nothing but the sound of wild bird song for either attracting mates or fighting over territories. I saw and heard my first Cuckoo early in April and I have seen many Swallows. It is at this time of year that ground-nesting birds are very vulnerable to farmland operations like rolling, harrowing, silaging and heavy stocking of cattle and sheep in the fields.

Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna)

With the numerous flowers, many insects can be seen collecting food from them. Honey Bees swarm at this time of year and many other insects take to the wing this month too such as the Stag Beetle and Mayfly. Many caterpillars are taking advantage of the new fresh green growth of leaves to be found and in turn, many birds can be seen feeding on them. Young fox cubs will be out trying to learn from their mothers how to hunt vulnerable nesting birds.

The “May flower” is found on the Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) this month. In pagan days, these flowers were associated with the end of spring and the beginning of the summer. Today May is celebrated with a May Day holiday. Because it is said that Jesus had a crown made from Hawthorn it was believed to be bad luck to cut one down and it would bring ill fortune on those that did. In many country places, it is still believed to be bad luck on a household if you bring May blossom into the house. Another name for this small tree is “Quick Thorn” and it derives this name because of its ability to grow faster than most trees and form a thick impenetrable hedge within a few years. It is a very useful small tree in that it is found in most hedgerows and is good at keeping livestock in. It is also good for the insects with its strong smelling blossom to attract insects and then equally useful in the autumn when its berries are eaten by birds and mammals. Many people have collected the flowers to make “May flower wine” and in the autumn made Hawthorn jam.

Early Purple Orchid (Orchis mascula)

When you are out walking on the Downs or in the woods keep an eye out for the deeply purple flowers of the Early Purple Orchid (Orchis mascula). This orchid is usually the first orchid in this country to be seen in flower – often at Easter time. It has numerous blotches on the leaves that resemble dried drops of blood. Because these blotches resemble dried blood, it is said this plant grew at the base of the cross of Jesus when he was crucified, and that the leaves have been eternally stained with his blood.

Cowslip (Primula veris)

Look out for the pale yellow flowers of the Cowslip (Primula veris). This plant has the other name of "Bunch of Keys" because legend has it that St Peter dropped the keys to Heaven when he was told a duplicate set had been made. These keys landed in Northern Europe and the Cowslip, which resembled them, sprang from the ground and has spread ever since.

False Oxlip (Primula veris x vulgaris)

You may be lucky enough to see the hybrid flowers between a Cowslip and a Primrose known as a False Oxlip (Primula veris x vulgaris). They tend to have more of the lighter pale yellow colouring of the primrose but with the many bunched flowers like a cowslip. They can occur where both parent plants are found. They are often called oxlips but the true oxlips (Primula elatior) are not found naturally in Sussex or Hampshire and if you did see a real Oxlip, it would have been introduced here.

Ramsons (Allium ursinum)

A white flower you may smell before you see it in the woods is Ramsons (Allium ursinum). This
Hairy Violet flower is known in the country as “Wild Garlic” because of its smell and taste. Many people pick the leaves and either add them to salads or to sauces. It certainly has a strong taste, which leaves a hot peppery effect in your mouth too! The specie’s name derives from the Latin “ursus” meaning bear and this is believed to refer to the large curled leaves resembling a bear’s ear. The bulbs of this plant have been used as an antiseptic and was used to help sterilise bandages during the First World War.

Hairy Violet (Viola hirta)

Up on the Downs on short chalk grassland you may see a number of species of violet but one that can be over looked is the Hairy Violet (Viola hirta). It is distinctive if you look at it closely in that the leaves are covered in hairs. Another thing to look out for is that as the year goes on, and the flowers have gone, the leaves grow much larger than they are at present. This violet is in decline due to its habitat disappearing.

Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni).

One butterfly that can be seen fluttering along the country lanes and paths, this month is the yellow coloured Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni). The male is easily identified, being a bright yellow colour whereas the female is larger and much paler and can resemble the Cabbage White butterfly when in flight. The females lay their tiny yellow eggs on a small shrub called Alder Buckthorn (Rhamnus catharticus)

Talk again, next month.