Common Name: Alder, Common Alder

Scientific Name: Alnus glutinosa

Family: Betulacae

Height: Up to 30m

Age: 60 years on average

Classification: Native UK broadleaf

Alder is commonly found in wet habitats, such as marshes, wet woodlands and along the edges of ponds, streams, and rivers.Alder tree roots help to prevent erosion along riverbanks by holding the soil together. Alder wood doesn’t rot when waterlogged, instead it turns stronger and harder.Historically this made Alder timber useful in building boats, water pipes, and even helping to create the underwater foundations that Venice is built on.

You can spot Alder trees around the edges of Hammond’s Pond.Look out for small brown cones that are present all year round. In summer, the leaves are dark green, with serrated edges and leathery to touch.The young twigs are sticky to touch, which links to the second part of its scientific name ‘glutinosa’ meaning sticky.

Common Name: Mute Swan

Scientific Name: Cygnus olor

Size: 140-160cm

Wingspan: 200-240cm

Weight: 10-12kg

Age: 12—20 years

When to see: All year round

Swans have become a popular symbol for Hammonds Pond over the years. There is even a swan sculpture near the bridges and viewing platform, designed, and built by Lancashire based artist, Clare Biggar.

Mute swans are one of the largest and heaviest flying birds, weighing on average 10-12kg and growing to around 1.5m in length. Male swans are named cobbs, Females are named pens and baby chicks are named cygnets. At Hammonds Pond there is a resident pair of breeding swans who stay here all year round raising their cygnets. Swans mate for life and are highly protective of their nest and their young family so be careful not to get too close. Contrary to the name, they will hiss loudly as a warning to predators or threats. Swans also have excellent memories and will remember humans that have been kind or unkind.

The mute swan is the inspiration behind the fairytale ‘The Ugly Duckling’, by Hans Christian Anderson. Cygnets are born with fluffy grey feathers and transform into white feathered adults during their first year.

Common Name: Moorhen

Scientific Name: Gallinula chloropus

Size: up to 35cm

Wingspan: 52cm

Weight: 320g

Age: Up to 3 years

When to see: All year round

Moorhens are one of the world’s most common birds and can be found all around the globe. Moorhens in the UK are commonly found on lakes, ponds, and rivers – just like their relative the Coot. They are black with white patches on their body, have yellow legs, a bright red beak with a yellow tip. They are slightly smaller than their relative, the Coot, Moorhens spend more time out of the water and can even climb trees! They are omnivores, which means they eat everything from snails and insects to small fish and even berries.

Moorhen nests are large and messy, like the Coots nest, and are found vegetation or on the ground near to water, easy for everyone to see. Moorhens have a strange habit of putting their eggs in other birds’ nests in an attempt to increase their egg production. It is a sneaky tactic which is usually successful as it’s not always possible to tell which egg is the intruder.

Common Name: Tufted duck

Scientific name: Aythya fuligula

Size: 45cm

Wingspan: 70cm

Weight: 700-800g

Age: up to 4 years

When to see: All year round

Common Name: Grey Heron

Scientific Name: Ardea cinerea

Family: Ardeidae

Height: up to 1m tall

Age: up to 5 years

When to see: All year round

Grey Herons are unmistakeable, they are tall, with long legs, a long pointed yellow beak and grey, black, and white feathering. They are found on almost any body of water — by ponds, lakes, rivers, marine and intertidal habitats, farmland, wetland, and grasslands.

Herons are classed as apex predators of their aquatic ecosystem. They spend most of their time alone feeding on fish, but can also snack on amphibians, small mammals, and even other small birds.

Herons nest in colonies called ‘heronries. They make large messy nests in the tops of trees, often laying 3-4 eggs. They use the same nests year after year, growing in size with each use. Adults may fly up to 18 miles from the nest looking for the best hunting grounds.

Common Name: Common blue damselfly

Scientific Name: Enallagma cyathigerum

Family: Zygoptera

Size:32mm average length

When to see: April to September

Damselflies are commonly found around all waterbodies, including ponds, rivers, canals, lakes and even garden ponds. They are predatory insects and catch their prey in flight. You can tell the difference between damselflies and dragonflies when they are resting. Damselflies fold their wings together when resting, whereas dragonflies leave their wings outstretched.

Male damselflies are bright blue with bands of black along their bodies, the females can be blue or a dull green colour with larger black markings on their body. The larvae are called nymphs, and live underwater for the first few years as an aquatic predator. When fully grown, the nymphs climb out of the water to find a shelter on a plant stem where they can transform or ’moult’ into adult damselflies.

The common blue damselfly, like all damselflies and dragonflies has two huge compound eyes. The eyes are so large, they take up most of the head, and 80% of the brain deals with visual information.

Common Name: Emperor dragonfly

Scientific Name: Anax imperator

Family: Aeshnidae.

Size: 78mm average length

When to see: June to August

The Emperor dragonfly is the largest species found in the UK, measuring 78mm on average. They are highly active, and spend most of their time in the air, rarely settling. They even hunt and eat their prey whilst flying. Their streamlined bodies are built for speed and their four wings capable of independent movement enable flight in all directions, making the emperor a phenomenal predator. The males are very territorial and will aggressively chase away any intruders entering its territory.

The males are identified by their sky-blue abdomen with a black stripe, apple-green thorax, and large blue eyes. Females have similar markings but are mainly green. They often fly with the rear of the abdomen bent slightly downwards.

You can tell the difference between damselflies and dragonflies when they are resting. Damselflies fold their wings together whereas dragonflies leave their wings outstretched when resting. The best time to spot them is between late Spring and Summer each year. Dragonflies are commonly found around large lakes and ponds that contain dense vegetation and plants. Female dragonflies lay their eggs floating in pondweed. The larvae are large and very aggressive, measuring up to 56mm.

Common Name: Common frog

Scientific Name: Rana temporaria

Family: Ranidae

Size: 8-13cm

Age: 5 – 10 years

 When to see: February to October

Common frogs are amphibians. They spend the springtime breeding in ponds, then spend the rest of the year feeding in woodland, gardens, wetlands, and grasslands. Areas of long grass provide a refuge for amphibians, such as frogs and newts. The moisture collected on grass stops the desiccation of small amphibians during the driest parts of the year.

They lay their eggs, or spawn, in large jelly like clumps. Female frogs can lay up to 4,000 eggs in one spring! After hatching, tadpoles take 14-16 weeks to grow into froglets, ready to leave the water in early summer. They vary in colour, and can be green, brown, red, or even yellow. They have smooth skin and long back legs covered in dark bands. Frogs hop and jump rather than walking.

Garden ponds are extremely important habitats for frogs and may populations in suburban areas depend on them. They feed on a variety of invertebrates, in particular snails and slugs which is good news for keen gardeners.

Common Name: Pike, Northern Pike

Scientific Name: Esox lucius

Family: Esocidae

Size: 0.6—1.5m length

Age: 10-25 years

 When to see: All year round

The pike is a long and slender fish that can grow over a metre in length. They are green with light cream-coloured spots, have large eyes, a flattened snout, and a large mouth full of sharp teeth.

Pike are found in ponds, lakes, slow flowing rivers and canals that have lots of vegetation.They use plants, such as pond weed, as hiding places when hunting so they can burst out at incredible speeds to catch fish, frogs, and even small mammals. They also use dense vegetation to shelter and lay their eggs, or spawn, between March and May. A large female can produce up to 500,000 eggs and returns to the same place to lay each year. Young pike need plants to take shelter to hide from predators, including adult Pike.

Common Name: Midge, Highland Midge, No-See-Ums

Scientific Name: Culicoides impunctatus

Family: Ceratopogonidae

Size: 2-3mm

When to see: Spring to Autumn

Midges are tiny flying insects up to 3mm long and are classed as biting insects. Midges are usually found around water, including ponds, becks, bogs, rivers, and lakes.In low light conditions, dusk and dawn, they gather into large swarms and create a humming sound.They usually begin to emerge in May and if the weather conditions are warm and humid, they can still be around in early autumn.

Due to their tiny wingspan, they are not a fan of windy conditions. Any breeze over 7 miles per hour is enough to keep them away. They are nicknamed no-see-ums, which is very accurate due to their tiny size.They are viewed as pests due to their irritating bite. Only the female’s bite

Midges and their larvae are an important part of our ecosystem, being a main source of food for species including birds, bats, fish, amphibians and many more.

Common Name: Pond skater, Water skipper

Scientific Name: Gerris lacustris

Family: Gerridae

Size: 1.5cm length

When to see: April to November

Pond skaters are found on ponds, lakes, ditches, and slow-moving rivers. They are often seen in large groups ‘skating’ around on the water surface. There are 9 species of pond skaters found in the UK.They are predatory and hunt smaller insects by detecting vibrations on the water’s surface.

They are identified by their brownish black bodies and 3 pairs of long legs. Their long legs act like paddles to move across the surface at great speed. They have water repellent hairs on the bottom of their feet which enable them to float and detect vibrations.

Common Names: Yellow iris, Water flag, Flag iris

Scientific Name: Iris pseudacorus

Family: Iridaceae

Height: 40-100cm

When to see: May to August

Yellow iris is commonly found in wet habitats, including the edges of ponds, lakes, streams and in wet woodlands, fens, and saltmarshes. It is often mixed in with other water-loving plants but can be easily spotted due to its large bright yellow flowers which appear between May and August.

The yellow Iris is a popular ornamental plant and is often planted around garden ponds. It grows very vigorously, and can easily take over a small pond, outgrowing other plants.

In Scotland, large wild areas of Yellow Iris are an important habitat. They provide food, shelter and breeding habitat for the Corncrake, a bird species with a declining population in Europe. 

Common Name: Rushes, Common Rush, Bulrush, Cat-tail, Juncus

Family: Juncaceae

Juncaceae is a family of flowering plants, commonly known as the rush family, and has around 460 known species.They mostly grow in wetland habitats, thriving in infertile soil and a wide range of moisture conditions. They have a plain appearance and are usually coloured green, brown, purple, or black.

Common Name: Common spike Rush

Scientific name: Eleocharis palustris

When to see: All year round

Common spike rush is widespread and found near the waters edge and in boggy areas. It forms in tightly clustered packs of green stems with a spiky appearance that can grow up to 60m tall. From May to July, brown egg-shaped flowers are present at the tops of the stems.

Common Name: Great Reedmace, Bulrush, Cat-tail

Scientific name Typha latifoli

When to see: All year round

Great Reedmace, also known as Bulrush, is a common sight on the edges of ponds, lakes, and rivers. It can grow to an impressive 2m tall, rising high above other wetland plants. It’s easily identified by its brown sausage-like flower heads, found on the top of the long green stems from June to August.

Pond weeds are also known as aquatic weeds and can grow on top of, below and at the edges of water. They can be beneficial in small amounts, providing food and shelter for fish, birds, aquatic invertebrates and larvae.Submerged plants, which live below the water, are known as oxygenators as they absorb nutrients and release oxygen into the water. They usually live in deeper parts of ponds and form clumps below the surface.

Common Name: Pond weed, Duckweed.

Scientific name: Lemna Minor

The most common floating pond weed is duckweed which is a tiny yellow-green plant shaped like a clover. Each leaf is an individual plant that can multiply to form dense masses that look like a mat or lawn on the water surface. Duckweed is a great food source for wildlife including ducks, moorhens, coots, and fish as it’s high in protein.It also provides food and shelter for frogs, tadpoles, and other invertebrates.

Common name: Filamentous algae, Blanket weed

Scientific name: Spirogyra adnate

Algae occurs naturally in lakes all over the world. However, due to factors such as pollution, nutrient levels, and climatic conditions, it may become dominant and seem to cause problems. Normally present after periods of settled weather and sunshine – Algae looks like a furry mat of fibres that rise and fall in the waterbody depending on the amount of sunshine present.

Although algae may look unsightly, all species are part of the waterbodies natural system, and provide a valuable resource for all the lakes inhabitants. In larger ponds containing lots of wildlife, such as Hammond’s Pond, it’s best to disturb the ecosystem as little as possible.Species such as Little Grebe, Otter, Heron, and Swan, among others, all benefit directly and indirectly from varying levels of different species of algae.

Algae can be problematic at higher-than-normal levels in that they are either difficult or impossible to remove from the water. Being naturally occurring, they regrow with additional vigour if removed mechanically. The aeration system in Hammond’s Pond runs daily, and the air bubbles created disturb the water column inhibiting algae growth but not stopping it occurring altogether. Reduction of nutrients and sediment entering the pond, discouraging the feeding of bread to ducks which rots away uneaten and pollutes the water, aeration and management of the water level all help to reduce the impact of these algae species, but it is impossible to remove them completely.

Common Name: Sycamore

Scientific Name: Acer pseudoplatanus

Family: Acer

Height: Up to 35m

Age: Can live up to 400 years

Classification: Non-native broadleaf

Sycamore trees are a common sight in parks, streets, and woodlands across the UK.Their seeds are very fertile and can spread quickly.They provide habitat, food, and shelter for a wide variety of animals and insects, and are a popular nesting tree for Blackbird, Robin, and Blue Tit.Sycamore trees can be found on the woodland paths and open grassy areas around Hammond’s Pond.

Sycamore is a tall dome shaped tree in the Maple family.It is robust and can tolerate cold weather, pollution, frost, and sea spray making it suitable for growing all over the UK.Look out for the winged fruits, known as samaras.These are easily spread by the wind and are nicknamed ‘helicopters’ as they spin like helicopter blades in the air.In summer the leaves are large, bright green and have 5 lobes with serrated edges.

Common Name: Elder

Scientific Name: Sambucus nigra

Family: Adoxaceae

Height: 10-15m

Age: Can live up to 60 years

Classification: Native broadleaf

Elder is widespread and common in woodlands, hedgerows, and scrub habitats.  It is a small, sometimes untidy looking tree or large shrub.  They are characterised by short trunks or stems, and deeply grooved, furrowed bark.  

The leaves are made up of 5 long oval shaped leaflets with serrated edges and a slightly hairy underside. In summer they blossom in white fragrant flowers which are a popular feast for nectar feeding bees and insects.  In autumn, the flowers develop into dark purple sour berries, which are another popular food source for birds and small mammals.Elder is highly prized for its edible flowers and berries.  The flowers can be turned into cordial, tea, and wine.  The berries are rich in vitamin C and are used to make wine, jams, and can even make a tasty addition to pies and crumbles. 

Common Name: Robin, Robin red breast 

Scientific Name: Erithacus rubecula

Family: Muscicapidae

Size: 15cm length

Wingspan: 21cm

Age: 2-3 years on average

When to see: All year round

Robins are one of the UK’s favourite birds.  Both males and females have a characteristic bright red breast making them very easy to spot.  You can find them in woodland, urban areas, farmland, gardens, and parks.  They are from the species family of flycatchers, but also eat fruits, seeds, insects, and earthworms.  

Despite their cute appearance, Robins are a very territorial bird and will aggressively defend their territory against unwanted intruders.  They make their presence known by singing loudly all year round.  They are one of the first birds to begin singing at dawn and one of the last to stop at dusk.  Listen out for their song next time you spot one at Hammond’s Pond.

Robins are a symbol of Christmas, which dates back to the Victorian era when postmen wore red waistcoats and were nicknamed ‘Robins’.  Robins began to appear on Christmas cards to represent the postmen who delivered them.

Common Name: Jackdaw, Crow

Scientific Name: Corvus monedula

Family: Corvidae

Size: 35cm length

Wingspan: 70cm

Age: 5 years on average

When to see: All year round

Jackdaws are the smallest bird in the crow family.They are mostly black with a distinctive silvery patch or ‘shawl’ on the back of their heads, and a short chunky yellow bill.They are commonly found in parks, urban areas, woodland and along the coasts. They are very intelligent and sociable birds, and easily pick up new skills in the wild as well as in captivity.They can be seen flying in flocks, often performing aerial acrobatics, and calling out ‘KYA, KYA’ loudly. The name jackdaw comes from two separate words, ‘jack’ meaning rogue or thief and ‘daw’ which is an imitation of its loud call.

Jackdaws form very strong bonds and are well known for their devotion to their mates.They will often mate for life, even if they have a few years of unsuccessful breeding.They make their nests in holes in trees, on cliffs and in buildings, sometimes even in chimneys.

Common Name: Great tit

Scientific Name: Parus major

Family: Paridae

Size: 14cm length

Wingspan: 24cm

Age: 3 years on average

When to see: All year round

Great tits are commonly found in woodlands, parks, and gardens.They are identified by their black head with white cheeks, and yellow belly with a black stripe down the centre. Males have a much larger and wider black stripe to indicate their status - the wider the stripe the more attractive they are to females.They have a very distinctive song, which sounds a bit like ‘tea-cher, tea-cher’.Listen out for their call if you spot one at Hammond’s Pond!

In woodland they hunt for insects and spiders among the leaves on trees, but they will also take advantage of a free meal from bird feeders and tables in gardens, often fighting off the competition from other smaller bird species.

Common Name: Goldfinch

Scientific Name: Carduelis carduelis

Family: Fringillidae

Size: 12-14cm length

Wingspan: 24cm

Age: 2 years average

 When to see: All year round

Goldfinches are a small bird from the finch family.They are found in gardens, parks, woodland, heathland, and farmland.They have a distinctive red face, with black around the eyes, chestnut-brown body, and a yellow streak across their wings.Their beaks are very powerful and are perfectly adapted for accessing food other birds can’t reach.They can extract seeds from plants, such as thistles, teasels, ragwort, and dandelions. They also east insects and invertebrates, and will visit bird tables in gardens for a free snack. The collective name for a group of Goldfinches is called a ‘charm’.

Historically, goldfinches were kept and bred in captivity around the world because of their pleasant birdsong and appearance.One of the earliest campaigns by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) was to combat this trade.

Common Name: Red-tailed bumblebee

Scientific Name: Bombus lapidaries

Family: Bombus

Size: 2.2cm

When to see: April to November

The red-tailed bumblebee gets its name from its distinctive big, red tail.It is a common bee which emerges in early spring and feeds on an abundance of flowers right through to autumn. The red-tailed bumblebee is a social bee which nests underground, often in old nests of small mammals, under stones or at the base of old walls.

Queens emerge from hibernation in spring and start their own colony by laying eggs which will then emerge as workers, the workers will tend to the young and nest. Males emerge later and mate with prospective queens. New queens will hibernate over winter and old queens and males will die in the autumn.

Common Name: Early bumblebee

Scientific Name: Bombus pratorum

Family: Bombus

Size: 1.6 – 1.8cm

When to see: March to June

The early bumblebee is relatively small, with distinctive lemon-yellow bands on its thorax and abdomen, and an orange tail.The early bumblebee gathers its nectar from around 140 species of tubular and open flowers, and is an important pollinator of raspberries, blackberries, and other soft fruits. Queens are often spotted on Rhododendrons.

They primarily nest underground in old mammal nests, though are also known to nest in old birds’ nest and boxes, as well as tree holes. Their colonies are made up of fewer than 100 workers.Queens emerge from hibernation between March and May, this gives them the common name- the early bumblebee. They have one generation per year though they often have a second generation later in the year in Southern parts of the UK.

Common Name: Garden spider

Scientific Name: Araneus diadematus

Family: Araneidae

Size: 0.9-1.8cm

When to see: June to November

Garden spiders are the most common orb web spider in the UK and are often found in gardens, giving them their name, the garden spider, though they are also abundant in woodlands and grasslands.

To catch their insect prey, they spin their famous spiral web which they sit in the middle of, waiting for a flying insect to get caught. Once the prey gets caught, they rush out, wrap their prey tightly in silk and kill the prey with a venomous bite.

Females are twice the size of males and after mating in the summer will often kill and eat the male. She then lays her eggs in a silken cocoon and stays with them until late autumn when the cold will kill her. Spiderlings will emerge from the eggs the following May.

Common Name: Wolf spider

Scientific name: Pardosa amentata

Family: Lycosidae

Size: 6-8mm

When to see: March to July

The wolf spider is an active hunter that chases down its prey and jumps on it, like a wolf.You may see the wolf spider basking in the sunshine of broad-leaved plants or running across the ground.

The females show parental care, she carries her large egg-sac under her body, attached to her spinnerets (the organs that produce silk). She carries her newly hatched spiderlings on her back for the first few days after hatching. The spiderlings then disperse using silk 'parachutes' to float away on the wind.

Common name: Nursery web spider

Scientific name: Pisaura mirabilis

Family: Pisauridae

Size: 1.5cm body length

When to see: May to July

The nursery web spider is an active hunter which actively sprints to capture its insect prey instead of spinning a web and waiting.You may see the nursery web spider basking in the sunshine among Bramble and Stinging Nettle.

The female shows a great amount of parental care, she carries her large, round egg-sac in her fangs. When the spiderlings are about to emerge, she constructs a ‘nursey web’ among the vegetation, this provides shelter and protects the young spiderlings until they are old enough to leave on their own.

Common Name: Lob worm, Garden worm, Common earthworm

Scientific Name: Lumbricus terrestris

Family: Lumbricidae

Size: up to 35cm length

Age: up to 20 years

There are 30 species of earthworm in the UK, and you can find about 16 of these in gardens.They come in a variety of colours and sizes and live in different layers of the ground.Some worm species live in compost, some live in permanent burrows deep within the ground, and others explore the middle ground by making networks of tunnels.There is still a lot to learn about them.

Worms are vital to keeping soil healthy and fertile for plants to grow.They eat decaying plant material and transport nutrients and minerals from below ground to the surface.An earthworm can eat up to a third of its body weight in a day!

The Lob worm, aka earthworm, can be brown, purplish-red, and even orange.They are the UKs largest earthworm and have a pointed head and one end and a fat, flatter tail at the other end.They live in permanent vertical burrows, are the only deep-burrowing species of worm found in the UK.

Common Name: Black garden ant

Scientific Name: Lasius niger

Family: Formicidae

Size: 3mm

When to see: March to October

Black garden ants live in large colonies comprised of thousands of worker ants who will collect food and tend to the nest and the young, and just one queen ant who produces all of the eggs. The workers are small, wingless, and brown-black in colour and the flying adults are larger and browner. Large swarms of winged adults can be seen in summer where they mate and disperse to form new colonies. After mating, the new queens will lose their wings and burrow underground to start a new colony.

They have a mutually beneficial relationship with aphids where they ‘stroke’ the aphids to feed on the sugar-rich honey dew which the aphids secrete, in turn the ants provide the aphids with protection against various natural enemies.

The black garden ant is common in many habitats, including gardens where nests form under paving stones, in soil and between brickwork. Their movement through the soil improves soil health and fertility.

Fungi are neither plants nor animals, but a kingdom of their own with over 5 million species.The earliest fungi were present on earth over 700 million years ago, and scientists are still making new discoveries about their complex way of life.They play a crucial role in the natural world, helping to break down plant and animal matter and recycle it into nutrients to support new life.

Often the only visible part of fungi is known as the fruiting body.These are what you can see as brackets on trees or mushrooms in the ground, and they come in all sorts of shapes, colours, and sizes.This is only the tip of the iceberg as the main body of fungi, mycelium, is hidden within the trees, plants, and ground.

Some fungi you can spot all year round, like bracket fungi found on trees.Other species you can only spot at certain times of year, often in autumn.It’s best not to touch or eat them as some species in the UK will make you unwell.Fungi are often found on dead trees or fallen branches.Where it’s safe to do so, it’s best to leave dead trees and branches alone rather than remove them so fungi can slowly decompose and recycle the wood over many years.

Fungi are a great source of food for wildlife.Insects, slugs, and flies eat the fungi, which in turn feed larger mammals and birds.

Common Name: Common puffball

Scientific Name: Lycoperdon perlatum

Where to find them: On the ground in grasslands and woodlands. Found between July and November.

Common Name: Shaggy inkcap, Shaggy mane

Scientific Name: Coprinus comatus

Where to find them:Common in parks and on roadsides.Found between May and November.

Common Name: Fly Agaric

Scientific Name: Amanita muscaria

Where to find them: In woodland, near Birch and Pine trees. Found between July and November.

Common Name: Sulphur tuft

Scientific Name: Hypholoma fasciculare

Where to find them: On tree stumps and dead wood on trees. Found between May and November

Common Name: Turkey tail

Scientific Name: Trametes versicolor

Where to find them: On tree stumps and dead wood on trees. Commonly Beech and Oak.Found all year round, best in Autumn.

Common Name: Jelly Ear, Wood ear

Scientific Name: Auricularia auricula-judae

Where to find them: Damp and shady places on dead and decomposing wood, often on Beech and Elder trees.Found all year round.

Wildflowers are a bright and colourful feature of UK landscapes.They attract pollinating insects such as bees, beetles, butterflies, and moths, and are a valuable food source.The strong connection between wildflowers and pollinators also makes them important for growing food crops.Insects that feed on wildflowers help to reduce the number of pests like aphids.It’s a well-balanced relationship, more wildflowers mean more pollinators and healthier crops for us all.

Wildflower meadows are one of the UK’s most diverse habitats, they can contain 40 different species in one square metre.Wildflower meadows are home to spiders, reptiles, amphibians, and birds providing food and shelter. They are also beautiful to look at, with a huge variety of colour spread across our landscape.Since the 1930’s wildflower habitats have been in decline, with over 97% loss of wildflower meadows.Across Carlisle and Cumbria, there are a number of newly planted meadows hoping to reverse this trend and help save this important habitat.

Wildflowers can also be found in woodlands, providing food, shelter, and colour to the understorey habitat.The bluebell is the UK’s national plant, and is a symbol of ancient woodland, creating a blue carpet which we often associate with the arrival of spring.

Common name: Red campion

Scientific name: Silene Dioica

Where to find them:Roadsides, woodlands, and hedges from May to September.Herbaceous flowering plant.

Common name: White Wood sorrel / common wood sorrel

Scientific name: Oxalis Montana

Where to find them:Woodlands from April to May.Perennial herb.

Common name: Wild garlic, ramsons

Scientific name: Allium ursinum

Where to find them: Grows in moist woodland, from April to May.A wild relative of onion and garlic, bulbous perennial with a distinctive garlicky smell.

Common name: Milk thistle

Scientific name: Silybum marianum

Where to find them: Sunny warm meadows or regularly disturbed ground. From June to August.

Common name: Daffodil

Scientific name: Narcissus

Where to find them: Native to meadows and woods, but commonly planted in gardens, parks, and road verges. Flowers from March to April.

Common name: White clover

Scientific name: Trifolium repens

Where to find them: Gardens, meadows, roadsides, and parks. From May to October.

Common Name: Bluebell, English bluebell, British bluebell, cuckoo’s boots, witches’ thimbles, fairy flower

Scientific Name: Hyacinthoides non-scripta

Family: Asparagaceae

Height: up to 45cm

When to see: April to May

Bluebells are an iconic and magical sight during springtime in the UK.Often found in woodlands, fields and along hedgerows they are an unmistakeable perennial herb.The flowers are bell shaped, often drooping, and are a deep violet-blue colour.Some bluebells can even be white or pink.

They are associated with ancient woodland, where they emerge in droves and can cover the woodland floor like a blue carpet.They are an important food source for many insects such as bees, hoverflies, and butterflies, as they often bloom earlier than many other plants. Bees can steal nectar from bluebells, by nibbling the base of the flower to make a small hole.

Bluebells have been symbolic with folklore tales, often involving fairies and magic.Bluebell woods are believed to be enchanted, and if you picked a bluebell, you would be led astray by fairies.Bluebells are easily damaged by trampling by people and animals and take years to recover.Be careful not to step on bluebells next time you are in the woods!

Common Name: oxeye daisy, moon daisy

Scientific Name: Leucanthemum vulgare

Family: Asteraceae

Height: up to 60cm

When to see: May to September

Oxeye daisy is the largest of all the daisies in the UK, and can be found in grassland, meadows, roadside verges, and woodland edges. The flowers are yellow in the centre with large white petals and can be as large as 5cm wide making them easy to identify.Oxeye daisy provides a great food source for bees, insects, birds, butterflies, and caterpillars.

The flowers are so bright they can even appear to glow in the evening, which is where the nickname ‘moon daisy’ originates from.