May - an overview
May is a busy month as birds get down to the task of nest building
and rearing their brood. The weather is warm but danger of
frost
at night can cause damage to tender plants.
What to see
Resident
birds and the arrival of summer migrants such as
Swallows,
House
Martins and
Swifts
are occupied with the task of building nests and rearing their
young.
Hawthorn
also known as May hedge will be flowering in early to late May
dependent on how cold spring has been.
Early in May
Bluebells
will be flowering in woodland. The leaves on trees will be open
during the month.
Butterflies
such as the
Orange
Tip can be seen on grassland and the
Green
Hairstreak which is usually found on heath and moorland.
Key dates:
House Martins first seen 2nd May 2005 Haworth
Swifts first seen at Haworth 15th May 2005, 2nd May 2007, 4th
May 2008.
22nd May 2005 Hawthorn flowering at Haworth, 7th May 2007, 24th
May 2008.
Cuckoo heard 14th May 2005 at Ponden and 23 May 2005 at Haworth
Cemetery, Penistone. Heard near Bronte waterfall on 1st May 2007
Cuckoo
Flower, flowering 9th May 2007
Cinnabar
moth first seen in Cross Roads on 20th May 2007
Tnicest month ov all the rest Iz this ear month I lov the best
Bill o 'th' Hoylus May 1873
Tis sweet May-day, so the labering hinds, W i oaken wreaths
his horses temples binds.
Bill o 'th' Hoylus May 1874
If you have any dates, information about weather or observations
about nature, stories or folklore relating to this month contact
us and if suitable will add to the page - please local to Haworth
and the surrounding area only.
