Beyond birdwatching

July sees non-stop wildlife action, says James Lowen

Fragrant and frothy, elder blossom is a highlight of May and June. The flat-topped flowerheads turn together to track the sun each day and attract a host of invertebrates, especially hoverflies and ti

Centaurea cyanus ‘Polka Dot Mixed’ Picture yourselves at about the age of eight. It is your birthday and a party is planned. The morning has been fraught: as with all birthdays the excitement begins e

With returning swifts screaming across the rooftop and golden buttercup pollen gilding his Wellingtons as he strides across the cow meadow, John Lewis-Stempel marvels at the many pleasures of May

Jenny Ackland spots an explosion of colour this June as wildlife gears up for the start of summer.

I t’s the summer solstice, and the mountains ...