The first Whitethroat of the season was heard on 30th April singing from topmost branches of scrub trees in Clifton Park just behind the Meadows’ Barrier Bank and one of the first young of the Spring was seen on the riverside path leading to the Ings:  a Robin fledgling still being fed by its parents.

Earlier in the month were reports of butterfly life increases on the Meadows with first sightings today of Orange Tips, Speckled Wood and Brimstone just in front of Blue Beck Copse with Whites in evidence as well.  This was in addition to sightings of Small Tortoiseshells and Peacocks in other parts of the Meadows which were also seen on earlier dates