Magpies
Magpies are busy building large, domed nests out of twigs and mud during the month of April. Females then lay a clutch of 5 to 8 eggs. She incubates the eggs and both parents feed the young once the eggs have hatched. Magpies are easy to spot with their black and white plumage, long green shimmering tail and metallic blue-black wings. Males have longer tails than females. When large numbers of magpies group together it is called magpie parliament!
Otters
Spring is a good time to look for otters, before the riverbanks are completely covered in vegetation. A national survey has shown that otters are making a return to towns and cities for the first time in decades. Leeds is one of the 100 towns and cities where otters are found. Otters returning to urban areas reflect improvements in water quality and increase in available food. People are now more likely than ever to be able to catch a glimpse of an otter!
Early Purple Orchid
The Early Purple Orchid is the first orchid of the year to flower and is one of the most commonly sighted orchids in Britain. Most orchids do not smell strongly. However, the early purple orchid's scent can be quite offensive and has been linked to the smell of a tomcat! Some people call the early purple orchid 'Cuckoos' as it comes into flower at the same time the first cuckoo is usually heard.
Caddisfly Larvae
April is a good time of year to look out for caddisfly larvae while pond dipping. Caddisfly larvae have soft bodies which they cover with protective cases to keep safe. The cases are built from a silk web, sand, gravel, pieces of plants etc. Each species of caddisfly builds a different type of case. It is not a coincidence that the case is exactly the same length as the larva because the sensory tips on the end of the tail are used to measure the case for size!
Orange Tip Butterflies
Adult orange tip butterflies emerge in April. It is only the male that has orange-tipped forewings. The female has small black tips. The underside of the hindwing in both sexes is a mottled pattern of yellow and black with moss green colouring. This provides excellent camouflage when they roost on flower heads. Look out for females laying eggs on garlic mustard. Females only lay one egg per plant because the orange tip caterpillars become cannibals if they have to compete for food.
Garlic Mustard
Garlic mustard is also known as Jack-by-the-Hedge or hedge garlic. It is actually a member of the wild cabbage family of plants. Garlic mustard has soft, nettle-shaped, slightly hairy leaves. When the leaves are pinched they give off a strong smell of garlic. The leaves can be used for flavouring salad and meat dishes. Garlic mustard plants have brilliant white flowers that bloom in late spring. The best of the flowers appear in April.
