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Friends of Studham Common

Ramsons

The start of May finds the Common looking beautiful as the sun shines through the haze of young green leaves on the trees. The cherry trees are full of white blossom though the blackthorn flowers are going over. The small dense patch of bluebells near the Old School House is fully out and there is a scattering of bluebells elsewhere on the Common. Look out for the fine specimens newly ‘liberated’ by our clearance work along East Common’s top hedgerow. Also on West Common the few plants of Ramsons (or Bear’s Garlic) are in flower. The grassland is dotted with the yellow flowers of Bulbous Buttercup and Dandelion. We may hate dandelions in our gardens but they do brighten up the Common. Also in the grass are patches of Field Woodrush, a little plant a few inches high with brownish nodding flower-heads.  Later in the month other plants will be in flower, apple and hawthorn, cow parsley and the upright spikes of Sweet Vernal Grass and Meadow Foxtail.

Orange Tip, Speckled Wood, Holly Blue and other newly-emerged spring butterflies are appearing. Queen bumble bees are busy searching for nest sites. Look out also for the small brown furry bee-flies which hover at flowers drinking nectar through a long proboscis.  Their grubs live in the nests of bees and wasps. Among birds, the winter visitors have left and most of the summer visitors have arrived. Nesting is in full swing. The first Cuckoo has been heard and the Chiff-chaff and other warblers are singing. Swallows and House Martins are back, circling and swooping after insects. A wonderful time of year!

Dandelions and Daisies

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Field Woodrush

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