By May spring’s to-do list is complete, and the trees and hedgerows are decked out in varying shades of fresh green. Only the ash (Fraxinus excelsior) may be a little behind; one of the last native trees to come into leaf, many will not have their full canopy until the end of May, depending on local climates.

There is an old saying that many people will know: “N’er cast a clout ‘til May is out”. It is a warning against the fickle British weather not to start discarding winter layers of clothing or “clout” too early! It is generally agreed that the expression “’til May is out” refers not to the end of the month, but rather when the May-tree, which we call hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) today, is in full bloom. Typically found in woodlands and along hedgerows, its sweet-scented creamy-white flowers can be heard buzzing with the sound of grateful insects!

Azure damselflies (Coenagrion puella) of iridescent blue will soon be seen darting along the edges of ponds, lakes, and waterways. They can also be found hunting away from their breeding sites in grassland and woodland, even in your garden. They are on the wing from the end of May through to September. Unlike dragonflies, damselflies are not strong fliers, preferring to lie in wait for their prey of tiny insects, like mosquitoes and midges, then ambushing them in mid-air, catching them with their legs.

The bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) already carpeting our woodlands are now complimented by the pinkish hues of foxgloves (Digitalis purpurea) and red campion (Silene dioica) along the woodland edges.  Meanwhile, wild garlic (Allium ursinum) is giving way to dogs’ mercury (Mercurialis perennis), the perennial indicator of ancient woodland.

By mid-May the common spotted orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsia) is flowering again. The most common orchid in the UK (hence the name!), it can be seen in open grasslands and under hedgerows until early August. Rosettes of leaves with dark spots are the first sign of its presence and once in flower it is pollinated by bees and flies.

Bright warm days may also entice out one of our three native lizards, the common lizard (Zootoca vivipara). It is at home in a variety of habitats from sea cliffs to moors, grasslands and woods; you might even catch a glimpse of one basking in the sunshine on a Mendip dry-stone wall! It ranges in size from 10cm - 16cm long and is generally brownish - grey (although the colour can vary), with rows of dark spots or stripes running along its back and sides. The common lizard is also known as the viviparous lizard, ‘viviparous’ meaning that it gives birth to live young, having incubated the eggs inside its body!

May is also when the swifts (Apus apus) finally arrive! Like their cousins the swallows (Hirundo rustica) and house martins (Delichon urbicum), they have migrated all the way from Africa and Europe to reach us for the summer breeding season. Their long, curved wings and high-pitched screeches are unmistakable as they wheel over our rooftops, chasing their insect prey. Swifts are expert flyers, eating, sleeping, bathing and even mating on the wing! They are also the fastest birds in level flight, able to reach an incredible 69mph! Sadly, swifts are now on the Red List of conservation concern in the UK, their numbers having fallen dramatically by 62% since 1995. This is partly because they like to nest in the eaves of houses and churches. Modern renovations and new buildings no longer provide this small space under their roofs.

The long light evenings make it easier for us to spot nature’s night shift. On warm nights the hawk-moths are out flying in our woodlands, parks and gardens. The lime hawk-moth (Mimas tiliae) is a mixture of greens, browns and pinks, with ragged edges to its wings. The name ‘lime’ refers to the food plant of the caterpillars, as they eat the leaves of small and large leaved lime trees (Tilia cordata and Tilia platyphyllos), as well as those of other deciduous trees like silver birch (Betula pendula) and common alder (Alnus glutinosa). Adults do not feed at all, lacking mouth parts they instead concentrate all their energy on finding a mate. Also, instantly recognisable is the elephant hawk-moth (Deilephila elpenor) in its gorgeous green and bright pink colouring. The adult’s favourite food plant is honey suckle, so planting some in your garden might improve your chances of seeing one!

Hot on their trail are the bats! At dusk their silhouettes can be seen flitting above our parks and gardens as they hunt for moths and other insects. There are 18 species of bat in the UK, one you are most likely to see is the common pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pipistrellus). It has brown fur with a black face and wings and it weighs no more than a pound coin! It is incredibly agile in flight, able to catch its prey in mid-air or glean insects straight from the leaves of trees. They can also be seen hunting low over other insect hot spots like ponds and rivers. Britain’s largest bat is the noctule (Nyctalus noctula), which has golden-brown fur with a darker face and wings. Unlike pipistrelles who will happily roost in a variety of places like barns, caves (and bat boxes!), noctules prefer to stick to the trees, so you are more likely to see them near woodlands. Some people can actually hear the high-pitched chirping calls that they make.