What s new in the countryside now that it s April

A.� Well, spring has sprung, it’s a new month and the government is urging people to return to the countryside as the foot and mouth epidemic shows signs of containment. So The AnswerBank has compiled a list of what plants and animals you should be looking out for when out and about.

�

Q.� What birds can I expect to see in April

A.� As April approaches so do returning migratory songbirds back from a winter spent in Africa. Birds to listen out for are willow warblers and whitethroats. Pick up a good field guide before you set off, to help you pick out the birds' singing.

�

Also back from a winter in Africa is the osprey, one of the biggest and most impressive migrant birds. You're most likely to spot this fish-eating bird in its breeding habitat, Scotland, but you may be lucky to catch a glimpse of it as it makes its way up north.

�

If you're out at dawn or dusk in a wet deciduous wood, listen out for the distinct croak and squeak of the male woodcock. In flight this bird has owl like movements, flying slowly just above the woods.

�

Q.� What plants should I look out for in April

A.� The woods should be carpeted with heavily scented bluebells, which also come in white and pink, from April. But be careful that you don't trample them, once destroyed a bluebell woodland can take up to 100 years to regenerate.

�

An easy one to look out for is the early purple orchid among the hedgerows. Its leaves with their deep wine red blotches makes it easy to spot.

�

Q.� What fungi can I expect to see in April

A.� You shouldn’t have much trouble spotting the large white St George’s mushroom in areas of birch and old grassland. It's the only mushroom of this size and colour that appears in spring and, to makes things even easier, it traditionally appears around St George’s day, the 23rd.

�

Q.� What insects should I look out for in April

A.� Well, if you’re out in the daytime, look out for the familiar brimstone butterfly, so-called because of its sulphurous wing colour. If, however, you’re carrying out nocturnal studies then you may be lucky and spot the brimstone moth, one of the few bright yellow moths that occurs in the UK.

�

Have you seen a plant or animal while out walking that you'd like to know more about Just click here to ask.

�

by Lisa Cardy

�

�