Wildlife to Look For in April

Wildlife to Look for in April

I'm always unprepared for the hour changing, you would think it was the first time to have happened."It's amazing how bright it is and it's eight o'clock...". Well it is great to be able to come home from work and walk the dogs and enjoy the countryside.

I keep a wildlife diary that stores dates, locations and wildlife notes from previous years. This way, I can usually plan my photography trips in advance. I also keep a simple record of the weather and April has the first days for potentially being sunburnt. This too seems to take us by surprise every year.

We are now three weeks into April and the blackthorn hedges are blossoming, our fruit trees and the local cherry trees are coming into bloom. The larch trees are very pretty in April, with the pink cones of the females contrasting with the fresh growth of the light green needles. April and May have to be the most beautiful time of the year to watch and photograph plants. For Larch trees, try anywhere near Glendalough or similar mountain plantations.

European Larch

European Larch

It is also a great time to watch many birds.
This month I have been photographing herons courting, swans courting and of course the great crested grebes and their wonderful courtship display. See Recent and Features. I have seen my first few swallows over the past two weeks, which I always feel sorry for at this time of year, with very few insects to feed on. Saw my first blackcaps of the year by the Boyne and also saw a ringed ouzel in the Sally Gap.

I have also been trying to photograph the hares fighting, but so far have only managed to see some "face-offs". If you like butterflies, the Orange Tips are out now, the Dartry section of the Dodder in Dublin is always good but there are many places. Other butterflies including Peacocks, Small Tortoiseshells amongst others have also started to appear.

So all in all, it’s time to get your boots on and get out there...the world is waiting.