This Month on the Emmbrook
What to look for if you are out and about in

APRIL

General

April is a fabulous month for wildlife, as the trees and shrubs burst into leaf with fresh, vibrant green foliage.Now that the clocks have sprung forward and the sun has come out, it feels like wildlife is springing into action again. The birds are singing with gusto as they gear up for the breeding season, frogspawn is filling up ponds, hedgehogs are emerging and butterflies and bees are busy filling up on nectar. This is a fantastic time of year to get out and about.Spring is usually said to start at the beginning of March and the 21st of March is the Spring Equinox; the date on which day and night are of equal length. This season is a time of days getting longer and the spring sunshine bringing growth and greenery everywhere with buds bursting and leaves unfolding. Birdsong reaches a peak and many flowers appear, in turn attracting insect-life, including bees and butterflies. Animals that hibernated over winter appear on the first warm days of spring so keep an eye out in early Spring for hedgehogs, newly emerged queen bees, frogs, toads, grass snakes, lizards and adders. Other animals such as squirrels become more active and are easier to spot. Millions of migrant birds arrive, with chiffchaffs, sand martins and wheatears amongst the first to appear in March and swallows, swifts, cuckoos, nightingales and many warblers in April and May. Nature is at its most busy in Spring, every day brings changes, the sap is rising, and for many species finding a mate and successfully breeding is top priority.

Birds

The overwintering bird visitors such as Redwings and Fieldfares leave in April. The summer visiting birds that arrive to replace them include House Martins and many warblers such a Whitethroats, Sedge and Willow Warblers. The three birds that also return, and perhaps most signify summer, are the Swallow, the Nightingale and the Cuckoo.

Insects

Late in April the large black swarming St Mark's fly makes an appearance. It is a welcome food source for newly arrived migrant birds as well as residents. It is very noticeable as its longish black legs lazily trail below as it flies around. Some species of damselflies can also be spotted on warm days near the river.

Butterflies

Peacock, Orange Tip and Speckled Wood butterflies appear in April. Brimstone butterflies will already have been on the wing for several weeks, having over wintered amongst ivy as adults. As the garden comes alive once more as the soil warms up , Small Tortoiseshell butterflies and Peacocks flit between the flowers. They may also be found basking in the sun to absorb its warmth.

Other Wildlife

Frog's spawn has become tadpoles by April. The adults now leave the ponds to live on land until Autumn. They feed on slugs, snails and insects so avoid putting down slug pellets .

Plants & Trees

Ash trees come into flower in April, but its leaves are one of the last to emerge (May). The male parts consist of a bundle purple pollen filled clusters and the females parts are dangle in the air to pick up wind borne pollen.

One of the hardy flowers that is first to bloom and can be seen all year round is the Red Dead-nettle. Also the common annual Shepherds Purse quickly flowers and sets seed. In the meadows the Cuckoo flower, and Cowslip emerge. One of the great Spring wildlife sights! In late April and early May bluebells are usually at their best so make sure you don’t miss this amazing Spring spectacle. A carpet of bluebells transforms woodlands into a place of magic and wonder. as more fungi appear on rotting wood, woodland floors and grassland. Look out for fungi in all sorts of colours. There’s more to fungi than a drab, brown toadstool!