Wild and Yellow in Forncett

From the welcome sight of yellow-green hazel catkins shaking their lambs' tails as harbingers of spring, to the rich golden leaves of field maples in our hedges come autumn; from the early primroses nestled in sheltered spots even in January, to the bright dandelions flowering all summer and into late autumn, many native wild plants bring cheer to our countryside.

 Yellow, being associated with the sun, is an optimistic, energetic and joyful colour that lifts our hearts.

Here’s a yellow miscellany of some creatures and wild plants we can spot around Forncett throughout the year:

 Male Yellow Brimstoneby Charles J Sharp

Brimstone Butterfly

The first truly warm day of the year, usually in March, is said to be National Brimstone Day. The Brimstone butterfly is fairly large with leaf-shaped wings. The lemony-yellow male is seen first, emerging from hibernation seeking a mate. The lighter coloured females lay their eggs on common or alder buckthorn, which serve as food plants for the emerging caterpillars.

Male Yellow Wagtail by Charles J Sharp

Yellow Wagtail

A red-listed bird (endangered species), but we do have them around the village. This pretty migrant breeds here and can often be seen in summer next to 'Forncett Aerodrome' on Stickfer Lane. Unfortunately, this area coincides with the proposed pylon route, bringing potential disruption. Sometimes confused with its relative is the resident grey wagtail with variable yellow patches beneath, which frequents wet meadows around our area.

Yellowhammer

Once a very common bird in arable countryside, it is now red-listed. However, we still have small populations here, and can hear their song that used to be so familiar: "A little bit of bread and no cheese." Its strong, thick beak is well adapted for the seeds on which it feeds. It prefers a thick hedgerow where it will sing high up, and nest low down in the undergrowth. More farmers are leaving wide field margins and encouraging seed-bearing plants, so we might see an increase in numbers. Please keep dogs on leads during the nesting season.

The Hornet

Our magnificent native European hornet is a large insect of the wasp family with a predominantly yellow abdomen. Though three times larger than the common wasp, it is less aggressive, but it will sting if threatened - keep away from their papery nests! Its size and colour help to differentiate it from the rare Asian hornet, which is smaller and darker, with distinct yellow-tipped legs. (In the unlikely event of spotting a rare Asian hornet, it's essential to report it at bbka.org.uk, as it poses a serious threat to our honeybees.)

Flowers

There are many yellow wildflowers to spot around the village. Yellow attracts pollinators and some of us welcome wild plants into our gardens if we have appropriate space. I encourage wild primroses and also  native cowslips. They will cross pollinate sometimes and produce a 'false' oxlip. Burnished celandines are a cheerful sight in early spring and disappear after flowering. 

Summer brings a wide variety of hawkweeds and hawkbits that will appear in a lawn if you don't mow too often. Meadow buttercups and common fleabane can be seen in damp places (in and around The Old Vineyard for example).

 One flower essential for a good wildflower patch is Yellow Rattle, which is a hemi-parasite of the stronger-growing grasses that can smother delicate wild plants. Birdsfoot trefoil ('bacon and eggs') supports a vast array of pollinating insects.

And there are many more. . . Pam Merrick, our local botanist, will be showing us flowers of all hues that she's recorded locally as she surveys the verges on behalf of Forncett Nature Matters. Find out about this evening event here.

April 2025