January

Flora

• Hazel catkins appear.
• Snowdrops come into flower.
• Various species may be found in flower (e.g. Groundsel and Speedwells).

Birds

• Early singing birds can be heard including Blue Tit, Great Tit, Robin, Nuthatch and Starlings.
• Wrens ands Dunnocks started earlier and their loud burst of song can also be heard.
• A peak time, through to February for Tawny Owls calling with the hoot of the male and the “twit” of the female.
• Ravens start to build their nests.
• Watch for flocks of Redwing and Fieldfare which may be hunted by Sparrowhawk.
• Look out for flocks of Golden Plover which we had in the past at Peasedown Flat.

Mammals

• Badger cubs start to be born.
• Rabbits start to breed.
• Foxes can be heard barking.
• Bats are hibernating now though wakening occasionally to change roosts (important not to disturb them when they are torpid).

Insects

• A quiet time for insects.
• Look out for the December Moth, Winter Moth, Early Moth and Pale Brindled Beauty.

February

A month when nature starts to wake up and creatures start to think about breeding.

Flora

• Coltsfoot and Dogs Mercury in flower.
• Wild Daffodil starts to flower.
• Ivy berries ripen.
• Nettles are sprouting and stinging well.
• Alder and Elm catkins appear.

Birds

• House Sparrows, Blackbirds, Thrushes and Woodpigeons join the January songsters. Blackcaps may also be heard
• Woodpeckers begin their territorial drumming.
• Early nesting resident birds include Dipper, Grey Heron, Moorhen & Little Grebe.

Mammals

• Woodmice start to breed.
• Bats are hibernating, mostly torpid. Fat reserves dwindling now and in harsh winters deaths may occur. Bats must not be disturbed while torpid as effort of waking could prove to be fatal.

Amphibians

• Frogs come out of hibernation and start spawning.
• Toads also come out of hibernation to travel back to their ponds to spawn.
• Newts return to ponds and start breeding.

Insects

• You may spot a Peacock butterfly on a warm day.
• Look out for the following moths: The Chestnut, The Satellite, Common Quaker, Dotted Border and Spring Usher.
• The first large bumblebee queens emerge from hibernation – the Earth bumblebee (Bombus lucorum) and the Garden bumblebee (Bombus terrestris).

March

Woodlands in particular come alive, before the trees are in leaf. Spring migrant birds start to arrive and the bird breeding season begins in earnest.

Flora

• Woodland flowers include Wood Anemone, Lesser Celandine and Primrose.
• Bluebell leaves are evident.
• Daisies are flowering in your lawn.
• Hawthorn comes into leaf.
• Blackthorn and Gorse in flower.
• Yew trees flower.
• Poplar, Goat (Pussy) Willow & Aspen catkins in flower.

Birds

• Many common woodland and garden birds start to nest and breed: Robin, Wren, Blackbirds, Thrushes, and members of the Tit family.
• Water birds nesting such as Coot, Moorhen and Mallard.
• Spring migrants start to arrive: Nightjars, Quail, Wheatear and Willow Warbler.
• House Martins and Sand Martins arrive and start breeding.
• Woodcocks start their spectacular aerial roding display over woodland.

Mammals

• Badger cubs start to appear above ground.
• Fox cubs are born.
• Hares start breeding and perform boxing displays.
• Bats are becoming active, feeding when warm enough but still reverting to torpor when cold.

Insects

• First early butterflies include Brimstone, Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell.
• Look out for various moths including Hebrew Character, Oak Beauty, March Moth, Twin-spotted Quaker and Dotted Chestnut.
• The first small bumblebee queens emerge from hibernation – the Early bumblebee (Bombus pratorum) and the Common Carder bee (Bombus pascuorum).
• Tawny Mining bees (Andrena fulva) emerge from their underground burrows.

April

The year starts to wake up! Spring flowers, summer visiting birds and the end of hibernation for insects and mammals.

Flora

• Mistletoe in flower.
• Spring flowers include: Bluebell, Cowslip, Wood-sorrel, Cow Parsley, Lords-and-Ladies, Early-purple Orchid, Creeping Buttercup and Meadow Buttercup, Garlic Mustard, Greater Stitchwort, Moschatel, Wood Forget-me-not, Early Dog Violet, Woodruff, Herb Robert, Black Medick.
• Silver Birch and Horse Chestnut flower & Oak catkins.
• Hazel in leaf.

Birds

• Sparrowhawk and Kestrel start to breed.
• Canada Geese breeding.
• Arrival of summer visitors including: Redstart, Nightingale, Garden Warbler, Cuckoo, Hobby, Swift, Pied Flycatcher, Spotted Flycatcher Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Whinchat, Turtle Dove and Blackcap.
• Most passerines are nesting now.
• Other nesting birds include: Green Woodpecker, Carrion Crow, Jay, Jackdaw, Kingfisher, Pheasant and Partridge.
• Fieldfare and Redwing depart.
• Watch out for spring migrants passing through – Osprey sometimes stop off at Chew Valley Lake.

Insects

• Ladybirds are active.
• Burnet moths come out of hibernation.
• Queen wasps start to form new colonies.
• Honeybees become active.
• Cuckoo spit is produced on plants by Froghoppers.
• Brimstone butterflies, which over-winter as a butterfly, can be seen flying early in the month.
• First generation of Holly Blue, Small Copper, and
• Green-veined White appear.
• You may see Grizzled Skipper around this time.
• Speckled Wood and Small White caterpillars hatch.
• Large Red Damselfly, an early one, appears late April.

Mammals

• Hedgehogs come out of hibernation.
• Bats are feeding actively now on warmer evenings. Very hungry after hibernation! Females seeking summer maternity roost.

Reptiles, Amphibians and Fish

• Sticklebacks start to spawn.
• Adders, Grass Snakes, Lizards and Slow Worms come out of hibernation and start mating.

May

The best month for birdsong and for birdwatching as the summer visitors are here. A good month for insect activity and a wonderful month for flowers!

Flora

• Hawthorn, Rowan, Elder, Guelder Rose, Wild Service-tree, Holly, Apple and Bramble in flower.
• Oak comes into leaf.
• Flowers this month include: Ragged Robin, Pineappleweed, Ramsons, Bugle, Ox-eye Daisy, Sorrel, Hedge Mustard, Wood Avens, Bird’s-foot-trefoil, Ivy-leaved Toadflax, Solomon’s-seal, Water-crowfoot, Red Campion, Tormentil, Yellow Archangel, Common Nettle, Hemlock and Field Poppy.
• Morels - edible spring fungi - appear on old fire sites in woodland.

Birds

• Cuckoos are breeding and laying in host nests (usually Reed warblers).
• Late nesting birds: Chaffinch, Bullfinch, Lesser Whitethroat, Swallow, House Martin, Great and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Nightjar and Spotted Flycatcher.

Insects and Other Invertebrates

• Honey Bee swarming season.
• Cockchafer beetles (Maybugs) flying.
• Common Blue butterfly in flight.
• Most Damselflies are on the wing around late May: Beautiful Demoiselle, Banded Demoiselle, Large White, Common Blue and Blue-tailed Damselflies
• Dragonflies: Golden-ringed Dragonfly, Black-tailed Skimmer, Four-spotted Chaser, Scarce Chaser and Broad-bodied Chaser.
• Dragonfly nymphs are active and hunting in ponds.
• Grasshopper nymphs appear.
• Cinnabar moths flying.
• Painted Ladies arrive from SW Europe/Africa and Clouded Yellow from S Europe.
• First generation of Red Admiral, Brown Argus and Large White butterflies and single generation of Orange-tip all on the wing.
• Caterpillars of Orange Tip, Small Copper, Large White and Green Veined White can be found.
• Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper and Common Blue all pupate early.
• Watch for male Wolf Spiders performing their courtship dance.

Mammals

• Fallow Deer bucks sport new antler growth.
• Muntjac losing antlers & Roe bucks losing velvet.
• Young deer are born.
• Fox cubs appear above ground.
• Woodmice, Shrews, Squirrels and Weasels breeding.
• Bats are fully active now and busy with feeding. Females gathering to form maternity colonies.

Reptiles and Amphibians

• Newts breeding.
• Froglets leave the pond late in May.

June

A good display of flowers, so butterflies and other insects abound, which is good news for hungry bats and birds! The birds are busy raising their young.

Flora

• Species in flower include: Ragwort, Rosebay Willowherb, Giant Hogweed, Hogweed, Angelica, Yarrow, Deadly Nightshade, Brooklime, Water Figwort, Cheddar Pink, Field Scabious, Self-heal, Lady’s Bedstraw, Blue Water-speedwell, Eyebright, Agrimony, Bulrush, Meadow Thistle, Dog Rose, Wild Privet and Honeysuckle.
• Birds
• Swifts start nesting.

Insects

• Dragonflies on the wing now include: Common Hawker, Southern Hawker, Emperor, Common Darter and Ruddy Darter
• Single generation butterflies on the wing: Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Large Skipper, Small Skipper.
• First generation butterflies: Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Common Blue.
• Caterpillars of Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Peacock, Brown Argus, Common Blue and Brimstone can be found.
• Craneflies emerge from larval stage and start flying.
• Burnet moths and Elephant Hawkmoths are flying.
• Herald Moth caterpillars are found.
• Glow-worms start glowing – wingless females attracting flying males.
• Emerald Damselfly appears on the wing in late June.

Mammals

• Dormice are breeding.
• Bats very actively feeding. Pups mainly born this month: one pup per bat.

Reptiles and Amphibians

• Grass snakes lay their eggs in warm places, like compost heaps.
• Baby Frogs and Toads leave ponds.

July

A good month for flowers and everywhere is alive with busy insects, but a quiet time for birds.

Flora

• Hop in flower – quite common in the hedgerows around Paulton where Bristol brewery had hop fields.
• Lots of plants come into flower including: Tansy, Burdock, Willowherbs, Perennial Sow-thistle, several Thistle species, Scentless Mayweed, Teasel, Hemp Agrimony, Bindweeds, Wild Angelica, Pyramidal Orchid and Fat-hen.
• Traveller’s Joy and Sweet Chestnut are in flower.
• Field Maple keys appear.
• Bird Cherry fruiting.

Birds

• Most birds are going quite now as they begin their moult and become secretive at this vulnerable stage. They mainly stop singing now but their calls can still give away their presence as they move almost invisibly in the fully leaved trees and bushes.
• Swifts scream overhead.
• Cuckoos start to depart for Africa already.

Insects

• Single generation Marbled White and Gatekeeper on the wing.
• Single generation Peacock and Brimstone (which will overwinter as butterflies) also flying.
• Second generation: Speckled Wood, Brown Argus, Small Copper, Large White, Green-veined White.
• Butterfly caterpillars around include: Meadow Brown, Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, and Large Skipper.
• Late pupaters: Peacock, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Brown Argus, Holly Blue, Orange-tip and Brimstone.
• Elephant Hawk Moth caterpillars feed on Willowherb and Puss Moth caterpillars on Willow or Poplar trees.
• Look for groups of yellow and black Cinnabar Moth caterpillars feeding on Ragwort.
• Migrant Hawker dragonfly might be seen.

Mammals

• Roe Deer are rutting.
• Bats are very actively feeding now and suckling young.

Reptiles and Amphibians

• Grass snakes lay their eggs.
• Common Lizard young are born.
• Newts start to leave the ponds.

August

Another good month for insects and flora, with berries starting to appear. Still a quiet time for birds.

Flora

• Yew fruits ripen.
• Bramble berries appear.
• Elderberries, haws, Rowan berries, sloes, Dog Rose hips and Guelder Rose fruit develop.
• Alder trees bear their green cone-like fruits and Beech nuts appear.
• Cuckoo-pint (Lords-and-Ladies) berries ripen.
• Japanese Knotweed in flower!

Birds

• Tawny Owls start calling to establish next year’s territory.
• Swifts and Blackcaps start to depart.

Insects

• Burnet Moth caterpillars feeding on legumes.
• Garden Tiger Moth caterpillars (hairy Marys or woolly bears) feeding on docks and dandelions.
• Second generation: Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Comma, Common Blue and Holly Blue on the wing.
• Butterfly caterpillars include: Marbled White, Gatekeeper, Ringlet and Small Skipper.

Mammals

• Badgers collect bedding.
• Bats are actively feeding, with pups becoming independent feeders too. Males beginning to search for a mate.

Reptiles and Amphibians

• Adder and Slow-worm young are born.
• Grass Snake eggs hatch.

September

Autumn starts to creep in. A prolific time for berries and nuts. Summer visiting birds depart for warmer climes.

Flora

• Field Maple leaves should now be glowing red.
• Spindle, Holly and Crab Apple are in fruit.
• Conkers and Hazel nuts appear.
• Acorns are ripening.
• Bittersweet fruits develop.
• Autumn Lady’s-tresses in flower.

Birds

• Summer visitors depart, including Quail, Cuckoo, Nightjar, Flycatchers, Willow Warblers, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Garden Warbler and Nightingale.

Insects

• In good years, third generations of Small Copper, Large White and Small White appear.

Mammals

• Dormice go into hibernation.
• Bats’ mating season begins! Males form leks and use advertisement calls to attract females. Active feeding continues.

Reptiles and Amphibians

• Adders start to hibernate.
• Common Lizards hibernate.

October

A good time for bird watching as winter visitors mainly arrive this month to feed on the ripening berries. The last of our summer visiting birds migrate south for the winter. Other creatures start to hibernate. A great diversity of fungi can be found.

Flora

• Ivy flowering, providing nectar for late butterflies, particularly Red Admirals.
• Many flowers can still be found, particularly weed species such as Shepherd’s Purse, White Dead-nettle and spurges.
• An abundance of berries in the hedgerows: Hawthorn, Black Bryony, Spindle, Sloes and Mistletoe berries should be showing by now.
• Sweet chestnut is fruiting.
• Conkers fall from Horse Chestnut trees.
• Deciduous trees show splendid autumn colours.

Birds

• Waxwings arrive – watch for them feeding on Rowan berries, Pyracantha and Cotoneaster.
• A peak month for Tawny Owls hooting as they establish territories for next year.
• Young Barn Owls are leaving home in search of their own territories.
• Watch for flocks of Siskin feeding in Alder trees over rivers – there may be a Redpoll amongst them.
• Brambling appear – watch for them amongst flocks of Chaffinch.
• Bewick’s swans are coming in – watch for flocks flying over from Siberia on their way to Slimbridge.
• Redwing and Fieldfare arrive now – a favourite winter prey of Sparrowhawks.
• Stonechats arrive and may be seen passing through.
• Whinchat, Wheatear and Redstart leave this month for warmer climes, as do Swallows and House Martins.
• A peak month for Skylarks singing.

Insects

• Red Admirals still feeding.
• Earwigs, Ladybirds and Queen Wasps go into hibernation.

Mammals

• Bats still forming male leks, mating taking place and active feeding prior to winter, weather permitting. Hibernation sites being sought, increasing time spent torpid, according to weather.
• Hedgehogs hibernate.
• In cold weather Dormice may start to hibernate.

Reptiles, Amphibians and Fish

• Frogs, Toads and Grass Snakes hibernate.

November

Most hibernating animals are tucked up for the winter by now. A good time for birdwatching as lack of leaves on trees means that birds are now more visible.

Flora

• Holly and Mistletoe berries ripening in time for Christmas.
• Sloes ripening on Blackthorn ready for the gin after the first frosts.

Birds

• Song Thrush starts singing again.

Mammals

• Bats still seeking hibernation sites, continuing to feed and mate when warm enough, but increasingly time is spent torpid.
• Dormice should be hibernating by now, tucked up in their nests, typically in holes at the base of a tree or under a log.

Insects

• Burnet moth hibernates.
• Garden Tiger moth hibernates.

The main interest remains with birds as winter sets in. Look for mammal footprints after snowfall. Cold wet days are a good time to write up wildlife records.

Birds

• Wrens & Dunnocks start to sing again.
• A good time to build nestboxes.

Mammals

• Listen for Foxes barking.
• Bats still seeking hibernation sites, continuing to feed and mate when warm enough, but increasingly time is spent torpid.
• Reindeer start to fly late in the month.