As spring segues into summer this month, there really is an astonishing choice of wild wonders to behold.
From butterflies to bats and blossom – and, of course, the amazing dawn chorus of bird song. May is a month to savour.
The first grizzled skipper and holly blue butterflies of the season are likely to be emerging, so look out these as well as more common species including large white and red admiral. If you want to increase chance if seeing butterflies in your garden you could create a bee and butterfly patch by growing species including lavender, yarrow and honeysuckle.
Whilst butterflies might flit and flutter, dragonflies which are also in evidence are more inclined to dart as they hunt their prey. Their myriad colours are best observed when these prehistoric wonders are warming themselves, wings outstretched, ahead of a hunting sortie.
Whilst April might be king for blossom, May is no slouch with species such as crab apple, the ancestor of all cultivated varieties in fine form – displaying bunches of pinky-white flowers along woodland edges and in our hedgerows. Whilst the blossom provides nectar and pollen for many insect species, the fruits which arrive in autumn are a mainstay of everything from thrushes and blackbirds to mice and voles.
Also on the wing will be no fewer than 18 species of bat. By the middle of the month, all UK species will be back on the wing after their winter hibernation but the species you’re most likely to see will be the tiny common pipistrelle. Weighing in at as little as five grams, these mini marvels can eat up to 3,000 insects in a single night. Look out for bats on warm evenings just as the sun is going down.
Whist May is a magical month for nature, it also the time to gear yourself up for the UK’s biggest nature challenge – 30 Days Wild. The Wildlife Trusts have issued the call to join us this June to explore nature with fun challenges for all ages as the countdown to #30DaysWild 2025 gets underway.
Join thousands of nature lovers from across the county and country exploring the wild through fun challenges, creative ideas, and plenty of magical outdoor moments. After a decade of success, we’ve lined up a host of fresh ideas to deliver pure outdoor magic as we embark on our wildest June yet.
We’ll be on hand every step of the way with advice, ideas and support. From mini outdoor missions to mindful moments, we’ve got loads up our sleeve and can’t wait to help you connect with nature as summer gets under way.
Sign up for FREE today and make time for the wild: www.wildlifetrusts.org/30dayswild.
Image: Holly Blue, Dave Wilcox