©Countryside Agency/Tina Stallard

Red Admiral butterfly at Maker Farm, near Rame ©Countryside Agency/Victoria Bennett

June brings roses fresh and fair…

Wildlife
From coast to mountain, birds are busy breeding and feeding their broods. Butterflies and a host of other insects are searching for pollen and nectar. Rivers, streams and ponds are alive with damselflies and dragonflies. In the warm midsummer nights look out for badgers, moths and bats. Rarely, you may hear the cry of a nightjar as it captures moths and other nocturnal insects in its heathland home or see a red kite wheeling and gliding on a thermal as it looks for prey below.

Pyramid orchid at Magpie Bottom, near Shoreham ©Countryside Agency/Tina Stallard

Plantlife
June is an excellent time for walkers to appreciate England’s wealth of wildflowers. Foxgloves are a distinctive feature of the countryside while dog roses, brambles and honeysuckles flower in the hedgerows. Orchids appear in chalk downlands and limestone soils while myriad vetches and daisies grow in profusion in pasture and meadow. Clifftops are adorned with sea pinks and sea campions, while woodland flowers are starting to produce seeds.

June Factfile
The warmth of midsummer nights will wake up nocturnal creatures such as moths, badgers and bats ... check out more countryside activity in our June Factfile

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Calendar Dates

Norfolk sunset ©Countryside Agency/Andy Tryner

Father's Day is on 17th June 2007.

Summer Solstice falls on 21st June 2007.

Midsummer Day is on 24th June 2007.

Activities And Events

Sheep on farm - AONB Solway Coast ©Countryside Agency/Barry Stacey

Visit the Royal Cornwall Show , the premier annual event of the Royal Cornwall Agricultural Association, between 7th-9th June 2007.

Get involved in Bike Week , the UK's annual celebration of cycling. Bike Week 2007 is being held 16th-24th June 2007.