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Things to look out for in April
April is the month of renewal and new life. Flowers and birds fill the senses with sight, sound and scent, whilst some young animals start to emerge for the first time.
Some woodland flowers begin to die back as tree foliage begins to emerge, but this month's spectacle has to be our native Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta). Although threatened by hybridisation with escaped Spanish Bluebell (Hyacinthoides hispanica), which is larger and often planted in gardens, Kentish woodlands are still alive with native flowers and is truly a sight to behold.
Within these woods, you may be lucky enough to see the emergence of badgers (Meles meles). These unduly persecuted mammals are generally only seen when they are roadside casualties, but as they emerge from their setts, the young cubs soon overcome their nerves and start frolicking. Incidentally, if you do see dead badgers, or any other animals, on the side of the road, we would like to know about them as they are still valid records.
April is very important in the bird calendar. our resident birds are busy raising their first broods, whilst those returning for the summer begin to stake out their territories.
Reptiles and amphibians are also very active in April. If you visit a pond, try and spot if there is any spawn: frog spawn is a jelly mass, whilst toad spawn is laid in long strings. Also keep an eye on the ground, especially along woodland edges, for lizards, adders, slow-worms and grass snakes.
Even if you don't keep your eyes straight ahead, you cannot miss April. The sun's warmth after cold winter months allows invertebrates to get back to business, and the air starts to fill with butterflies, such as the Orange-tip (Anthocharis cardamines), Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni) and Peacock (Inachis io).
Good places to visit in April
Cromer's Wood Kent Wildlife Trust Reserve
Ham Street Woods National Nature Reserve