Fun Fact 1: Oxeye Daisies
’He loves me, he loves me not’. Did you know oxeye daisies are thought to have started this game? Each petal is plucked until all are gone and the answer of whether true love is in the air is revealed!
7 Fun Facts for Summer
Alexander Mustard/2020VISION
Test your nature knowledge with these 7 facts for the warmest season of the year
Richard Burkmar
Fun Fact 2: Cuckoos
Did you know that cuckoos often choose the nests of the same species that raised them, to raise their own eggs in? And it’s only the male who makes the ‘Cuckoo’ noise – the females make a bubbling sound instead. Have you heard them this summer?
John Hawkins - Surrey Hill Photography
Fun Fact 3: Yellow Rattle
The wildflower yellow rattle, seen between May and September, makes a rattling noise as the brown seed pods mature – that’s why it’s called yellow rattle! Oh…it’s also yellow of course.
Philip Precey
Fun Fact 4: Kingfishers
Kingfishers fly across water at lighting speed, but I bet you didn’t know their beaks were the inspiration for Japan’s bullet train, the design helping increase speed and reduce air resistance! Nature is often inspiration for engineering, and this is perfect example.
Malcolm Brown
Fun Fact 5: Basking Sharks
Basking sharks can be spotted in our seas throughout summer. This gentle giant is the largest shark in UK seas – but no need to be afraid…unless you’re plankton!
Alexander Mustard/2020VISION
Fun Fact 6: Anemone in Rock Pools
Have you been or are you going rock pooling this summer? You might find an anemone. Did you know they use their tentacles to catch food particles? They also give a sharp sting too, which can paralyse their prey!
Richard Burkmar
Fun Fact 7: Slugs
Did you know that slugs also have a shell? Their shells are usually very small and is carried on the tips of their tails. It is usually smaller than a fingernail and sometimes just a few granules of calcium carbonate!
Chris Lawrence