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Things to look out for in May
M ay bustles with activity, and even if you are not looking for the wonders of nature, this is the month that they come to you! The senses are filled with explosions of colour, the sound of animals finding suitable homes and mates, plus feeling the warmth of late spring.
You don’t have to search hard to see or hear a bird engaged in frenzied mating activity, whether declaring territory, fighting rivals, attracting mates or building nests. If this is not enough to attract your attention, our resident birds will be joined by those returning from warmer climes, such as swallows (Hirundo rustica), house martins (Delichon urbica), sand martins (Riparia riparia), and swifts (Apus apus). Distinguishing between species is not always easy when they appear as silhouettes in the sky, but the screeching sound of the swift may aid identification. If you prefer a more gentle sound, listen out for nightingales, but to experience birdsong at its best, try and rise in time to hear the dawn chorus.
If you are
not good at remembering species, start with the ‘b’s’:
birds, bluebells, baby badgers, butterflies, bugs and blossom. Wildlife
truly abounds this month: woodland flowers are at their best; the tough
hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacantha) provides shelter for many birds and animals;
foxes (Vulpes vulpes) are raising their young, whilst hedgehogs (Erinaceus
europaeus) indulge in noisy mating. As temperatures rise, invertebrates
emerge, supported by the wealth of plant life, and reptiles become active,
so look out for adders (Vipera berus) and common lizards (Lacerta vivparous)
making sporadic appearances after taking refuge from the cold of winter.
Finally, spare a thought for the poor mayfly (Centroptilum species). On
a warm May evening, mayflies emerge as adults from their larval states
after having spent one or two years in water. They will then go on to
mate, the females lay their eggs, and by morning, most will have died.
Good places to visit in May
Nature is at
its most active this month, so why not see what is on your doorstep? Try
taking a closer look in your garden, or nearest open space: whether it
is your local playground, park, riverside or coastal walk, there is something
for everyone, and the wildlife seen may change as the day progresses.
If you cannot think of anywhere near you, you could try one of the websites
below, or even contact Tourist Information, but you’ll be surprised
what lies hidden away. Did you know that the Vinters Valley Park Nature
Reserve is 90 acres stretching across 17 different habitats near Maidstone
Town Centre? Or that a Site of Nature Conservation Importance (SNCI),
Darland Banks, is at the end of a housing estate in Gillingham? Of course,
wherever you go in Kent or Medway, we’d love to receive your records!
www.uk-touristattractions.co.uk