May in the Valley
What you can expect to see...
Well last month certainly broke all the records... not only the warmest April on record but it was also the warmest 12-month period ever. We certainly can’t remember an April that has been so consistently warm and sunny and it’s possible that the familiar rhyme about April showers may have to be amended.
Spring is already well advance and May will continue to be a busy month with wildlife activity everywhere. Even if you spent all day every day outdoors you would still miss something as there is so much going on. Tree foliage is unfolding - although looking out of the window here at Ash Lock on the 1st the leaves all appear to be out completely - the dawn chorus reaches its peak, fledglings are testing their flight feathers, insects are on the move, the ponds and lakes are coming alive and flowers are bursting into bloom. May is really a magical month and will pass too quickly, so make the most of it!
Keep an eye out for Swallows (our Bird of the Month), Swifts and Martins that will continue to arrive from Africa in large and often mixed flocks. These can be seen over the lakes, feeding on insects, refueling for the next stage of their journey north.
Native ducks and geese are among the first to breed and their young are easily watched on the river and lakes. We’ve already received sighting details of Mallards Coots and Muscovy Ducks seen with their young. Canada Geese form ‘creches’, where a number of broods gather together for protection. Creches of 20 or more goslings are not uncommon.
Woodland rides and glades act as sun traps and are a good place to spot many of the butterflies that are flying now. Look for Small Coppers, Peacocks, Small Tortoiseshells and Orange Tips (our Butterfly of the Month).
 You’ll see wild flowers everywhere. At the beginning of the month do seek out the Bluebells a spectacular not to be missed. Rowhill Nature Reserve is the place in the Valley to see them. You can’t help but see the frothy white umbels of Cow Parsley lining the road verges and pathways and the mass of Hawthorn blossom lining the many hedgerows. This month starting watching out for orchids, these exquisite yet elusive plants come into flower over the next few weeks attracting all sorts of insects. Pyramidal, Bee, Common Spotted and Green Winged are just some of the varieties found in the Valley. If you spot any please email us for the wildlife sightings page.
Increasing numbers of flying insects provide a feast for bats. Watch Daubenton’s Bats feed on mayflies, skimming for the surface of the Valleys’ many lakes and ponds at dusk and after dark. Lakeside Park is well worth a visit.
Have you seen anything interesting, unusual or something that captured your imagination in the Valley this month? Whatever it was please send us details so that we can put it on our sightings page. We also would love to receive your pictures. This month’s sightings >>>
Things to do ...
Full details of events taking place this month in our May events calendar >>>.
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