The Natural Year in Focus

January to June

Spectacuar birds over winter in our harbours and wetlands when plants are dormant. Spring flowers include the curious parasitic Toothworts and the first orchids to appear.  Insects including the bumblebee life cycle are covered. June brings yet more colour with the beautiful Sainfoin and Butterfly orchids plus more native wild orchids.

July to December

Summer is glorious for flowers and insects: in September a rare Brown Hairstreak lays eggs on Ranmore Common on the North Downs.  Insects are mating, although some  damselflies come to an unexpectedly violent end.  

Sex & violence appear in these talks but only in the insect world.