A feast for the senses: what to see in Railway Fields in May

There is no month quite like May for the nature lover. Our patience is finally rewarded and all the treasures of Spring are there for our pleasure. It’s never a bad time to take a walk at Railway Fields but now, at peak Spring, you’ll be experiencing the natural world with all your senses.

Let’s start with sight. Everywhere you look, life is bursting out. Colour bursts from the hedgerow with wildflowers springing up in every part of the site. As you walk up the path, the white of cow parsley contrasting with the deep blue of green alkanet flowers has replaced the cheery yellows of lesser celandine and primroses. Dotted about are tiny splashes of pink from herb Robert.

Approaching the hut, the dazzling white of hawthorn greets you from the railway side, while the strange white pollen “snow” of the white poplar coats the path in front of you and hedges on the mini-beast village side.

Next take some time to smell the air. The scent of cow parsley is strongest but if you go down to the lower path and into the little “mud kitchen’ area you’ll also be greeted with a heavenly scent of lilac. Pick a leaf of the garlic mustard, crush it and hold it to your nose. Feeling hungry yet?

While we’re using our sense of touch, have some fun playing with the sticky weed or cleavers but look out for moth caterpillars like the common carpet moth which also likes it.

I’m not suggesting you nibble anything on site unless you know what you’re doing but no one is going to object to you blowing some dandelion clocks in the back meadow while enjoying the warm Spring sun. Just leave some for the kids!

Finally, stand still in the woodland area, look up to the canopy and the clear blue skies and open your ears to the sound of bird song. At this time of year, the birds are singing, calling, even threatening intruders! There is no better time to listen to the birds than now.

You may also catch the busy hum of bees. Look into the trumpets of the white deadnettle and enjoy the sight of furry bee bums. That’s all you’re going to catch of them as they are too fast to see much else. Don’t neglect the pretty hoverflies that are hanging in the air around you. Hover fly colours vary from gothic black and white to shining gold and deserve your attention and appreciation for the work they do as pollinators just as much as bees.

Oh and let’s not forget the butterflies! How we’ve missed them! Look up high for pretty holly blues, watch out for brimstones and commas flitting across your path, the gorgeous cream and brown of the speckled wood can be seen in the shadier spots and everywhere you should see the ubiquitous white, although look closely for if there’s a flash of orange it may be the male orange tip passing by. If you’re an insect lover like me, stand by the steps just at the back of the cabin that lead down to the tower and the old tree and look across the sea of cow parsley, garlic mustard, green alkanet and other tall plants and wait. Bees, flies, and butterflies will be your reward.

Before you go, divert down the railway passage. You’ll see pretty pink vetch and sainfoin in the meadow, the buttery yellow of birds foot trefoil beneath the silver birches and the beautiful unfurling heads of fresh green ferns springing up near the blackberry bushes reminding us just why the Victorians loved them so much.

And don’t forget one of the highlights of Spring...see you Sunday for the Dawn Chorus walk!