Welcome to Prestwood Nature

Plants to look for in May

by Karen van Oostrum

 Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna)

If the focus is on plants in May, then we must start with the ‘Maythorn’! While the cherries and sloes dominated April with their blossom, the hawthorn follows hot on their heels.

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Wood Sorrel (Oxalis acetosella)

This delicate, understated plant of the woodland floor began flowering in April, and will continue to flower until the end of May.

The white flowers of Wood Sorrel, when studied close-to, are exquisitely beautiful, with lilac vein detail.     Click here for more information

Buttercups

Buttercups are everywhere at the moment, nodding their yellow heads from fields, verges and banks. These cheerful flowers of 5 yellow blunt-ended petals are instantly recognisable, but did you know that there are at least 10 different species of buttercup in the UK? 4 of these are relatively common in our area, and with a little bit of knowledge you will soon be able to tell them apart.   Click here for more information

All the photos were taken locally by Karen

Prestwood Nature Blog

In line with most other organisations, Prestwood Nature has regretfully decided to cancel all work parties, talks and walks until the end of August. We will review the situation during the summer and decide whether the events later in the year will be able to go ahead.  Please keep looking at this web site for more information.

While we have to stay at home or just take walks close to our houses,  we have set up a blog where our members can share pictures and observations on the natural world around them.  

Send your ideas to webmaster@prestwoodnature.org or comment on the posts already made.

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Five butterflies to look for in May

By Val Marshall

Orange Tip (male) is obvious in flight with two bright orange spots on the tips of the wings.

Holly Blue is a small blue butterfly which  flies high and fast looking for holly or ivy on which to lay its eggs.

Large White and Green Veined White

Green veined white (right) can be distinguished from the Large white (left) when at rest, by the wing underside ‘veins’.

Small White is smaller  than the other whites.

Click anywhere in this frame for a larger view.

Bumblebees to look for in May

by John Catton

Buff tailed bumblebee (Bombus terrestris)

One of the first bumblebee queens to emerge from hibernation on a warm spring day from late February, is one of our biggest (18 mm) and most numerous.     More …

Red tailed bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius)

This queen, slightly smaller than the buff-tail, is the next out of hibernation in March. She is jet black with a distinctive red tail.   More…

Tree Bumblebee (Bombus hypnorum)

This queen again typically emerges from hibernation in March. Visually she is totally different from the other two: a unique combination of ginger thorax, black abdomen and pure white tail.   More…

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