What wildlife can I expect to see in summer

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Q.� What flowers can I expect to see in summer

A.� The pink and purple heads of thistles may be a nuisance to some but to many insects, notably bees and butterflies, their nectar and pollen are a rich source of food. Look out for them from the end of June.

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Also flowering from July to August is the Burdock, which can grow up to a metre high. The flower heads are egg shaped and thistle like, later turning into burs. This bushy plant is widespread throughout most of Britain in summer, and is most common in hedgerows.

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Q.� What animals can I expect to see in summer

A.� Look out for dormice. These little mammals are notoriously hard to spot: even after a winter of hibernating in dense vegetation they still spend large parts of the summer asleep, in a state known as torpor, but you may spot them slumbering in their summer nests.

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When they are active, it's at night, when they feed in treetops.

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High summer is a great time for spotting insects. There are still some future moths and butterflies in their caterpillar stage, some of which display amazing colours and patterns, a warning to predators that they're poisonous. Keep your eye out for them among grasses and hedgerows.

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One caterpillar that has already eaten its way out of its cocoon is the magnificent Purple Emperor. With a wingspan of 8cm it's the largest woodland species of butterfly in Britain. Watch out for it in July and August in the branches of oak trees, as well as on rotting animal carcasses and damp patches on the ground.

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You won't have much trouble spotting swarms of gnats as they gather around trees and bushes during warm, still evenings. The swarms are composed mainly of males, dancing in a bid to attract females.

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Q.� What fungi can I expect to see in high summer

A.� Most fungi are autumnal, but look out for the dryad's saddle. The wet warm weather of the British summer brings out this huge, up to 50 centimetres, fungus. Look out for its buff, scaly cap on elm, beech and sycamore trees.

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Do you have a question about a seasonal plant or animal Click here to ask.

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by Lisa Cardy