This is the time of year when it all starts to happen. Pictured is the river between the Oxbow Orchard and the Woods, and this is always a good area for species abundance. Dames Rocket in different colours was very present along the river banks and it is good to see it getting above the abundant nettles early on.

We did a bioacoustic monitoring survey for the entire month of April, this records the sounds in the meadow and goes for analysis to discover the different species of birds that were found, and the frequency they visited. This report is available from our company to anyone that is interested in it. The Chiffchaff was found to be the most recorded bird, with over 9500 calls in the thirty-one days. There were 37 bird species found and the least recorded of those was the House Martin. It was pleasing to hear that the kingfisher was present on 60% of the days in April.

An early butterfly count by Mike Slater from the British Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire Branch revealed an unusually high number of species present in the meadow in April. The species found were: Brimstone, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock. Later in the month we saw some Orange Tip to bring it up to seven different species for April.