3 ways to go wild in May
It's been one of the driest Aprils on record apparently, and I've certainly noticed! Down here in Bristol we didn't see as much snow as they did up north but it was a very chilly start to the month and then a lovely high pressure holding calm through the second half of April. May is in general more reliable for weather - last year we had that stellar warm spell, and the second half I find is a good time for holidaying (although as I write this 10 days late, May is turning out to have all of April’s rain so far!). Plus everyone is getting really excited for summer. Let's face it, this year May is going to be better than last year despite the weather because we're allowed out again! So many good things happening in May, so let's dive straight in.
Go foraging for wild garlic
Wild garlic often accompanies and follows the bluebells in the same locations, although it is more widespread. Other than looking really pretty it gives off a really powerful fragrance in the forest. Why forage for garlic rather than just buying garlic at the shop? Other than getting in touch with our ancestors and our wild side, it's an easy plant to identify (if you're not too familiar with foraging) and it has a lighter and more subtle flavour than shop-bought garlic. The leaves are best picked when young, appearing in March and the flowers emerge from April to June.
Leaves and flowers are both edible. Leaves are best picked when young and work amazing in soups or pesto. Why not chop them up, mix it up with butter and spread onto bread for simple garlic bread? The flowers can add colour and potency to salads and sandwiches. You can also pop the cut stems in water in the fridge to stay fresh for longer or freeze if just like any other vegetable!
This countryfile article has some great recipe links written by River Cottage chef Gill Mellor, or if you google ‘wild garlic recipes’ there are so many out there from risotto to frittatas, pesto and bhajis. It’s such a versatile and easy plant to start your foray into foraging with as it very closely resembles our shop-bought garlic and unlike mushrooms there’s less chance for it to go wrong.
Additionally if you're getting visits from cats that you don't enjoy, its smell is said to repel cats.
Don’t forget to follow the forager’s code:
Only pick from areas where there is lots available, and only collect a little so there’s enough left for others and nature.
Avoid damaging habitats as some animals are dependent on this food source or nesting habitat
Don’t pick protected species and seek permission to gather on private land.
2. See the gannets
Since the beginning of April, sea birds have been returning back to our shores for nesting. This includes, puffins, razorbills, guillemots and the stunning northern gannet. Visually it’s an absolutely beauty of a bird and it’s no surprise that images of gannets have won many awards are wildlife photography competitions.
Seeing all of these seabirds is in itself quite a sight. Thousands of birds all finding a little crevice to nest on, squawking at their neighbours, fathers fighting for space and birds to-ing and fro-ing out to sea to gather food for their chicks. The smell of guano can be off putting to some but after spending some summers in Canada where seabird colonies are not easily found (it’s a very Atlantic thing!) I really missed the smell, sights and sounds!
There are some brilliant places to see them all across the country: Bempton Cliffs in Yorkshire, Grassholm in Pembrokeshire, Bass Rock in mainland Scotland, or I saw a lovely colony all the way up in the Sheltands at Hermaness. 56% of the world’s population of the northern gannet (220,000 pairs) breed on our shores!
It’s highly recommend to go see these birds with binoculars, despite being the size of a goose. Things to look out for is their divebombing into the water - which they can do at speeds of 100kph and will eventually make them go blind - is pretty amazing, but keep an eye out for what sort of nesting material they’re bringing back at this time of year (I’ve seen them carrying plastics too sadly) and the delicate dance mating pairs do when greeting each other back from being out at sea.
3. Go rockpooling
Rockpooling is a great activity for young and old all year round but springtime is actually the best time to do it because of the calmer weather (she writes just as we’ve had a very low-pressure May so far!). The water will still be a bit chilly though as March is always when the seas are at their coldest and September at their warmest. It’s not just for kids, but all of our inner kids too!
Its one of those things where the longer you look, the more you see how much is going on in each little pool. Don’t be afraid to get down and dirty by lifting rocks to look for crabs, looking at slimy seaweed to see what is living on it or if you’re lucky to find a mermaid’s purse hold it up to the light to see a dogfish embryo developing inside.
Nets aren’t very useful, but can help to catch some crabs to examine them. Buckets are the way to go and the key is to be gentle- slowly submerge and then bring back up to see what is inside.
What can you see? Anemones or barnacles feeding? (I love barnacles so I won’t go into them any further). Starfish or camouflaging blennies? Prawns darting about?
Have a look at this countryfile article for some suggested beaches and how to catch some crabs!
As ever, happy wild-ing!
Ester
Meet Ester
Wildlife camerawoman by day, jewellery designer by night, with a heap of crafting in the middle. Bristol-based but longing for a wilder setting.
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