The nation’s forests and woodlands come alive in the summer. From the vibrant green of trees to the smell of wildflowers and the sound of birds singing, warm, sunny days in the forest are a delight to experience. Discover some of the top things to look for when you head out for a forest visit this summer.
Green leaves filling the trees
Deciduous trees are now in full leaf and the soft, lighter greens of spring darken to a deeper shade during the summer months as the leaves age. Oak, beech, lime and horse chestnut trees reach full foliage, providing welcome shade on hot summer days.
Our proud veteran trees have provided shade for generations of visitors under their sprawling limbs; they’re a perfect place to spread out a picnic blanket and watch the world go by.
Many trees also begin producing seeds or fruit during the summer. Look for the start of spiky conker casings, young acorns budding and long, fluffy catkins.
Colourful butterflies hard at work
Summer is peak butterfly season, and there’s something really special about spotting one of these colourful creatures flitting about peacefully. Did you know that woodlands provide a place to breed for three-quarters of England’s butterflies, including some of our rarest species?
Forest verges, rides and edges are particularly good places to look for butterflies in the summer, especially the speckled woods and silver-washed fritillaries, which thrive in the mix of sunshine and shade. The white admiral and elusive purple emperor are other woodland specialists gathering on brambles, flowers and bracken, sunning themselves with open wings.
Summer evenings abuzz with activity
Warm summer evenings are a great time to look up and take in the skies. The nation’s forests have some of the best dark skies in the country, which are great not only for stargazers, but also for the birds, bats, moths and other insects that benefit from reduced light pollution.
Listen carefully amongst the trees and you might hear the soft hooting of owls as daylight gives way to dusk, accompanied by the gentle rustling of nocturnal animals as they start their nightly routines.
Wildflowers in bloom
The wood anemones and beloved bluebells of spring make way for a colourful array of wildflowers in summer. At the start of the season you’ll find foxgloves, red campion, dog rose and honeysuckle, and by summer’s end wild strawberries, orchids and brambles will all be flowering too.
The dappled sunlight filtering through the tree canopy creates the perfect environment for these colourful wild blooms to thrive.
A hive of activity
The forest floor is a hive of unseen activity during the summer. Colourful fungi and mosses start appearing on fallen logs and branches, and the chirping and clicking of crickets is a familiar sound. Metallic-shelled ground beetles, wood ants and other insects are busy breaking down leaf litter and recycling the nutrients of this important habitat.
Woodland ponds are also teeming with life at this time of year with dragonflies hovering above the surface, frogs and newts basking in the sun and water boatmen creating tiny ripples as they work.
Plan a summer forest visit
Inspired to visit the forest and spot these signs of summer yourself? Search for your closest forest and head off on a summer adventure.
