Your monthly guide on how to encourage wildlife into your garden all year round.
WILD BIRDS
It is a time of change, with the departure of winter visitors and the
arrival of summer birds. Keep a look out for House Martins, White
Throats, Marsh, Sedge, Willow Warblers, Swallows, Nightingales and
the magical sound of the Cuckoo.
Submit any sightings of House Martins to the British Trust for
Ornithology due to the recent decline in the UK.
Blue Tit’s and Blackbirds’ eggs are usually laid throughout
April and into early May.
MAMMALS
Most hedgehogs will be active and building up the body fat lost over the winter. They need all the support they can get as they are now on the protected species list, so leave out food and water if you can. Contrary to popular belief, milk is bad for hedgehogs so stick to plain water.
Bats have mainly come out of hibernation and are hungry and active. Putting up a bat box gives these night-time creatures somewhere safe to roost, raise their pups and sleep during the day.
BEES
Solitary bees (Mason bees) are emerging, they will need a place they can nest (bee house).
INSECTS
April is the month where white butterflies make an appearance and
are hungry for garden aphids!
Set up a ladybird tower to give ladybirds a safe place
to nest in the garden.
