April is upon us and we have already experienced some glorious spring days this last month, let's hope we can have plenty more this month. However during this month we can expect a number of rain showers which are associated with April.

The farmers are busily ploughing and harrowing a number of fields before they sow their crops. At this time of year they have to be especially careful not to over compact their soil otherwise with the sudden rain showers we are likely to get soil erosion problems. In turn all the pesticides and fertilisers put into the soil to help the crops grow, end up being washed away into the ditch systems and then into our rivers. This means the crops no longer have that extra boost they need to grow and the surrounding water systems have become temporarily polluted. This pollution can kill off a great number of invertebrates and affect the populations of our birds and animals. When the soil is filled with earthworms the farmer has got the timing and balance just right because it is a sign that the soil is healthy. Farmers are also advised not to over-stock their fields because this is the beginning of the bird-nesting season and Lapwings and Skylark may be disturbed. Also it is advisable to leave field headlands and set-aside uncut again to give birds which are nesting a chance. Fruit growers here in the south have been lucky to have not be effected badly with severe frosts and so at the moment the orchards are a mass of blossom and hopefully a good indicator for plenty of fruit for later in the year, weather permitting.

Early Purple Orchid Orchis mascula

Spring is here and a great number of flowers have come out and with them come a mass of insect life including the butterflies, crane-flies and beetles. They in turn are a great food source for the birds that are pairing up and making nests. Many animals are pairing up too. Badger cubs are coming out from underground for the first time in their lives. Sadly I have already seen a number of dead youngsters on the road, so it pays to slow down when driving, the reward for slow drivers is a view of a live badger and no expensive garage repair bill. With April comes the first of our spring migrant birds like the Cuckoo and the Nightingale.

When you are out walking on the downs or in the woods keep an eye out for the deeply purple flowers of the Early Purple Orchid (Orchis mascula). This orchid is usually the first orchid in this country to be seen in flower. It has numerous blotches on the leaves that resemble dried drops of blood. Because of this and because it flowers at this time of year, the plant according to folklore is said to have been growing at the base of the cross of Jesus when he was crucified, and that the leaves have been eternally stained with his blood.

Wood Anemone Anemone nemorosa

Another flower you may see in the woods is the Wood Anemone (Anemone nemorosa). This flower has another name, which is ‘Windflowers’ because they only start to come out in flower after a windy day. Although they are very attractive to look at they do not give off a pleasant smell. They are one of the first flowers to carpet the woodland floors in some places taking advantage of the early spring sun before the woodland canopy fills in blocking out the light.

Down on the water's edge you are very likely to see a pair of Mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) pairing up and looking for a suitable place to nest. Their nests are made with leaves and grass and lined with down.

Mallard ducks Anas platyrhynchos

Mallards try to conceal their nests well and the female is very hard to spot in her brown plumage often hidden in long grasses or bramble. One of the more secretive birds to be found in the wetlands that you may be lucky enough to see is the Water Rail (Rali aquatica).

Water Rail Rali aquatica

You are more likely to hear one making a sound like a young pig squealing than ever see one. They have long legs and toes that enable them to walk on water lilies. However, most of the time they remain hidden in the reeds. At this time of year they build their nests from dead leaves from sedges and reeds.

Woodland stream

Well that’s all for this month and I will tell you about what to look out for in May next time.