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    Spring
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    • What to look for in May
     
    HomeGalleriesWhat to look for - Nature's calendarSpring

    What to look for in May161

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    May is for many the most glorious month in the British countryside. Majestic oak trees are now in full leaf, the hawthorn is a riot of blossom (inspiring the "darling buds of May" of Shakespeare's sonnet), and cow parsley flowers in hedgerows and meadows. Many butterflies and dragonflies are on the wing, mayflies live their brief day of adult life and the maybug or cockchafer is also on the wing at dusk. This year the bluebells have been spectacular in May after a very cool April held them back. Birds - including the nightingale - are in full song, displaying and feeding young. Wood warblers and pied flycatchers can be seen in upland oakwoods, waders and grouse are breeding on moorlands, and seabird colonies are at their busiest, with huge numbers of terns, gulls, gannets and auks flying to and from their nests. Roe deer fawns are born during this month, while foxes are feeding their cubs on the healthy populations of young rabbits. Dolphins may be seen frolicking in the surf of the Moray Firth and Cardigan Bay, while cuttlefish lay their eggs in the warm waters along the English Channel.
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    Ross Hoddinott / RF- Backlit Fern (Philotum) growing among bluebells (Endymion nonscriptus). Lanhydrock, Cornwall, UK. May.
    01354982
    Ross Hoddinott / RF- Backlit Fern (Philotum) growing among bluebells (Endymion nonscriptus). Lanhydrock, Cornwall, UK. May.
    Peter Cairns / Badger (Meles meles) foraging in bark. Scotland, May.
    01342545
    Peter Cairns / Badger (Meles meles) foraging in bark. Scotland, May.
    Nick Turner / A couple relaxing amongst bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) in springtime woodland, Upper Soudley, Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, May.
    01374516
    Nick Turner / A couple relaxing amongst bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) in springtime woodland, Upper Soudley, Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, May.
    Andy Rouse / European Badger (Meles meles) in bluebells. UK, Europe, May.
    01340642
    Andy Rouse / European Badger (Meles meles) in bluebells. UK, Europe, May.
    Ross Hoddinott / RF- Bluebell carpet (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) among beech trees (Fagus sylvatica). West Woods, near Marlborough, Wiltshire, UK. May. (This image may be licensed either as rights managed or royalty f...
    01333380
    Ross Hoddinott / RF- Bluebell carpet (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) among beech trees (Fagus sylvatica). West Woods, near Marlborough, Wiltshire, UK. May. (This image may be licensed either as rights managed or royalty f...
    Laurie Campbell / Bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) flowering in oakwood, Perthshire, Scotland, UK, May
    01261121
    Laurie Campbell / Bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) flowering in oakwood, Perthshire, Scotland, UK, May
    Laurie Campbell / Bluebells (Endymion non-scriptus) flowering, Perthshire, Scotland, May
    01385431
    Laurie Campbell / Bluebells (Endymion non-scriptus) flowering, Perthshire, Scotland, May
    Ross Hoddinott / Green-veined white butterfly (Artogeia / Pieris napi) with wings closed, resting on bluebell. Lanhydrock, Cornwall, UK, May
    01333415
    Ross Hoddinott / Green-veined white butterfly (Artogeia / Pieris napi) with wings closed, resting on bluebell. Lanhydrock, Cornwall, UK, May
    Laurie Campbell / Orange tip butterfly (Anthocharis cardamines) resting on bramble leaf, Ross-shire, Scotland, May
    01385369
    Laurie Campbell / Orange tip butterfly (Anthocharis cardamines) resting on bramble leaf, Ross-shire, Scotland, May
    Adrian Davies / Mayfly (Ephemera danica) newly emerged adult. Surrey, England, May.
    01355155
    Adrian Davies / Mayfly (Ephemera danica) newly emerged adult. Surrey, England, May.
    Adrian Davies / Mayfly (Ephemera danica). Cast case of subimago, or dun. Surrey, England, May.
    01355159
    Adrian Davies / Mayfly (Ephemera danica). Cast case of subimago, or dun. Surrey, England, May.
    Ross Hoddinott / Broad-bodied chaser dragonfly (Libellula depressa) male resting on reeds Cornwall, UK, May
    01333408
    Ross Hoddinott / Broad-bodied chaser dragonfly (Libellula depressa) male resting on reeds Cornwall, UK, May
    Kim Taylor / Dingy Skipper (Erynnis tages) on Cowslip (Primula veris) in flower. Surrey, UK, May.
    01341600
    Kim Taylor / Dingy Skipper (Erynnis tages) on Cowslip (Primula veris) in flower. Surrey, UK, May.
    Andy Rouse / Black Grouse (Tetrao tetrix) male displaying at a lek. UK, Europe, May.
    01339673
    Andy Rouse / Black Grouse (Tetrao tetrix) male displaying at a lek. UK, Europe, May.
    Ernie Janes / Ruff (Philomachus pugnax) male preening, UK, May
    01336706
    Ernie Janes / Ruff (Philomachus pugnax) male preening, UK, May
    Ernie Janes / Ruff (Philomachus pugnax) male bathing, UK, May
    01336702
    Ernie Janes / Ruff (Philomachus pugnax) male bathing, UK, May
    Andrew Parkinson / Puffins (Fratercula arctica) pair take off together to go fishing. Farne Islands, Northumberland, UK, May.
    01354263
    Andrew Parkinson / Puffins (Fratercula arctica) pair take off together to go fishing. Farne Islands, Northumberland, UK, May.
    Andrew Parkinson / Puffin (Fratercula arctica) looking above grass bank. Skomer Island, Wales, UK, May.
    01354268
    Andrew Parkinson / Puffin (Fratercula arctica) looking above grass bank. Skomer Island, Wales, UK, May.
    Andy Sands / Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) pair mating. Hertfordshire, England, May.
    01354661
    Andy Sands / Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) pair mating. Hertfordshire, England, May.
    Andy Sands / Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava flavissima) male bathing in pool, Lincolnshire, UK, May
    01307135
    Andy Sands / Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava flavissima) male bathing in pool, Lincolnshire, UK, May
    Andrew Parkinson / Sedge warbler (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus) singing portrait, Saltee Islands, Republic of Ireland, May.
    01354326
    Andrew Parkinson / Sedge warbler (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus) singing portrait, Saltee Islands, Republic of Ireland, May.
    Ernie Janes / Yellowhammer (Emberiza citinella) male in flight, Norfolk, UK, May
    01337047
    Ernie Janes / Yellowhammer (Emberiza citinella) male in flight, Norfolk, UK, May
    Laurie Campbell / Sedge warbler (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus) male singing in willow tree, Roxburghshire, Scotland, May
    01385401
    Laurie Campbell / Sedge warbler (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus) male singing in willow tree, Roxburghshire, Scotland, May
    Andy Rouse / Dartford Warbler (Sylvia undata) male singing. Wales, May. Not available for ringtone/wallpaper use.
    01372448
    Andy Rouse / Dartford Warbler (Sylvia undata) male singing. Wales, May. Not available for ringtone/wallpaper use.
    Laurie Campbell / Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) perched on top of hawthorn hedge, Berwickshire, Scotland, May
    01385571
    Laurie Campbell / Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) perched on top of hawthorn hedge, Berwickshire, Scotland, May
    Fergus Gill / Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) feeding in a garden. Perthshire, Scotland, May .
    01333144
    Fergus Gill / Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) feeding in a garden. Perthshire, Scotland, May .
    Chris Gomersall / 2020VISION / Common nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos) adult perched, singing, Cambridgeshire, UK, April. Photographer quote: 'Nightingales are more renowned for the beauty of their song than their looks. You are...
    01358278
    Chris Gomersall / 2020VISION / Common nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos) adult perched, singing, Cambridgeshire, UK, April. Photographer quote: 'Nightingales are more renowned for the beauty of their song than their looks. You are...
    Mark Hamblin / 2020VISION / Adult female Eurasian dotterel (Charadrius morinellus) raising wings in breeding habitat on upland plateau of Grampian mountains, Cairngorms NP, Scotland, UK, May 2011
    01371079
    Mark Hamblin / 2020VISION / Adult female Eurasian dotterel (Charadrius morinellus) raising wings in breeding habitat on upland plateau of Grampian mountains, Cairngorms NP, Scotland, UK, May 2011
    Ernie Janes / Avocet (Recurvirostra avocetta) in flight over reedbed. Norfolk, UK, May.
    01346034
    Ernie Janes / Avocet (Recurvirostra avocetta) in flight over reedbed. Norfolk, UK, May.
    Colin Varndell / Woodpigeon (Columba palumbus) perched on branch stretching wing, Dorset, UK, May.
    01335123
    Colin Varndell / Woodpigeon (Columba palumbus) perched on branch stretching wing, Dorset, UK, May.
    Mark Hamblin / 2020VISION / Greylag goose (Anser anser) adult landing on water, Scotland, UK, May 2010
    01371310
    Mark Hamblin / 2020VISION / Greylag goose (Anser anser) adult landing on water, Scotland, UK, May 2010
    Terry Whittaker / 2020VISION / Reedbeds at dawn with Coot (Fulica atra) in mist, Lakenheath Fen RSPB Reserve, Suffolk, UK, May. 2020VISION Book Plate.
    01359699
    Terry Whittaker / 2020VISION / Reedbeds at dawn with Coot (Fulica atra) in mist, Lakenheath Fen RSPB Reserve, Suffolk, UK, May. 2020VISION Book Plate.
    Laurie Campbell / Mute swan (Cygnus olor) female with newly hatched cygnet, Yetholm Loch Scottish Wildlife Trust Reserve, Roxburghshire, Scotland, May 2008
    01385364
    Laurie Campbell / Mute swan (Cygnus olor) female with newly hatched cygnet, Yetholm Loch Scottish Wildlife Trust Reserve, Roxburghshire, Scotland, May 2008
    Ross Hoddinott / Red fox (Vulpes vulpes) vixen walking in the morning light (captive). Lifton, Devon, UK, May
    01333425
    Ross Hoddinott / Red fox (Vulpes vulpes) vixen walking in the morning light (captive). Lifton, Devon, UK, May
    Andrew Parkinson / 2020VISION / European brown hare (Lepus europaeus) adult stretching on fringes of a field of rapeseed. Hope Farm RSPB reserve, Cambridgeshire, UK, May, sequence 4/4. Did you know? Brown hares are not native to Bri...
    01358148
    Andrew Parkinson / 2020VISION / European brown hare (Lepus europaeus) adult stretching on fringes of a field of rapeseed. Hope Farm RSPB reserve, Cambridgeshire, UK, May, sequence 4/4. Did you know? Brown hares are not native to Bri...
    Ernie Janes / Red fox (Vulpes vulpes) cub amongst Buttercups (Ranunculus sp) UK, May. Captive
    01362132
    Ernie Janes / Red fox (Vulpes vulpes) cub amongst Buttercups (Ranunculus sp) UK, May. Captive
    Laurie Campbell / Juveniles European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) Midlothian, Scotland, May
    01385523
    Laurie Campbell / Juveniles European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) Midlothian, Scotland, May
    Ross Hoddinott / Red fox (Vulpes vulpes) vixen, portrait in the morning light (captive). Lifton, Devon, UK, May
    01333426
    Ross Hoddinott / Red fox (Vulpes vulpes) vixen, portrait in the morning light (captive). Lifton, Devon, UK, May
    Mark Hamblin / 2020VISION / Brown hare (Lepus europaeus) in an arable field, Scotland, UK, May 2010. Did you know? The European brown hare is the fastest land mammal in the UK.
    01370112
    Mark Hamblin / 2020VISION / Brown hare (Lepus europaeus) in an arable field, Scotland, UK, May 2010. Did you know? The European brown hare is the fastest land mammal in the UK.
    Bertie Gregory / 2020VISION / Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) buck jumping high through field of wheat (Triticum sp.) at sunset, Berkshire, England, UK, May
    01377846
    Bertie Gregory / 2020VISION / Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) buck jumping high through field of wheat (Triticum sp.) at sunset, Berkshire, England, UK, May
    Laurie Campbell / Semi habituated female Scottish wildcat (Felis silvestris grampia) lying on favourite scatching log, living wild in native oakwood,~Lochaber, Scotland, May
    01385559
    Laurie Campbell / Semi habituated female Scottish wildcat (Felis silvestris grampia) lying on favourite scatching log, living wild in native oakwood,~Lochaber, Scotland, May
    Simon Colmer / Dove's-foot Crane's-bill (Geranium molle) in flower. Sussex, UK, May.
    01348137
    Simon Colmer / Dove's-foot Crane's-bill (Geranium molle) in flower. Sussex, UK, May.
    Laurie Campbell / Common dog violet (Viola riviniana) flowers, Argyll, Scotland, May
    01385442
    Laurie Campbell / Common dog violet (Viola riviniana) flowers, Argyll, Scotland, May
    Laurie Campbell / Wild garlic / Ramsons (Allium ursinum) flowering, Berwickshire, Scotland, May
    01385526
    Laurie Campbell / Wild garlic / Ramsons (Allium ursinum) flowering, Berwickshire, Scotland, May
    Ernie Janes / Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) flowering in farm hedgerow, UK, May
    01362149
    Ernie Janes / Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) flowering in farm hedgerow, UK, May
    Mark Hamblin / 2020VISION / Harestail cotton-grass (Eriophorum vaginatum) growing on bog moorland, Scotland, UK, May
    01367207
    Mark Hamblin / 2020VISION / Harestail cotton-grass (Eriophorum vaginatum) growing on bog moorland, Scotland, UK, May
    Steve Nicholls / Ragged robin (Silene flos-cuculi) flowers in meadow, UK, May
    01343793
    Steve Nicholls / Ragged robin (Silene flos-cuculi) flowers in meadow, UK, May
    Simon Colmer / Early Purple Orchids (Orchis mascula) flowering, ~Hollingbury Ring, Brighton, Sussex, UK, May
    01312180
    Simon Colmer / Early Purple Orchids (Orchis mascula) flowering, ~Hollingbury Ring, Brighton, Sussex, UK, May
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