JULY NATURE NOTES

"A swarm of bees May is worth a load of hay
A swarm of bees in June is worth a silver spoon
A swarm of bees in July is not worth a fly"

Since starting these notes on a monthly basis over a year ago, I have been taking more care to look more closely at the various plants in our countryside - many of whose names I've forgotten since my distant childhood. But I am really enjoying the re-learning process and have in fact started 'pressing' them again in order to keep a record - something I haven't done since my early teens (no binge-drinking in those days)!

Something I do find difficulty in remembering are the names of all the different fungi. The one I mentioned last month is, I think, a fairly common one after all; I think it's a "Wood Pinkgill" - the reference books state that it's normally found in woodland but I found it in Church Lane. It's a very delicate fungus, but poisonous.

This time last year I reported on a single clump of what I thought was Agrimony on Roall lane. At the time I had a few doubts about this but my persistence has proved worthwhile as it turned out to be Wood Sage. It isn't there this year, however, as the verge was bulldozed to make way for the new fencing. Oh well, can't win 'em all! Many of the wild flowers are very similar to each other - especially from the distance - and I love looking them up in the reference books, checking on the number of petals, types of leaves, etc. to distinguish them.

It's good to see the new hedgerow saplings seem to have 'taken' between Kellington and Beal - I believe a Beal farmer arranged the planting. It will be nice to have a hedgerow back along this verge, it's surprising how much shelter they give in windy, stormy weather. In July the sun is probably at its warmest and these hedgerows perfume the air with all the various blossoms. The hawthorne blossom is turning to berries as I write, but we now have the elderberry which is another lovely smell. Countryside smells - I love them!

Good news on the deer - six have been seen. On a final note, let us hope we've saved our immediate countryside from the developers. It might not be "an area of outstanding natural beauty" which is what 'Natural England' and such organisations describe areas like the Lake District etc., but it's our home and little piece of Heaven and we've every right to protect it!

Ann Walker