Tuesday April 1st. Walk the canal towards Wheaton Aston in bright sunshine, hedges coming alive with spring buds opening and blackthorn blossom lining the canal. See the turquoise iridescent flash of a Kingfisher racing along the water.
Friday April 4th. To Belvide on a very warm and still morning. Butterflies on the wing and ducklings in the brook, and a few Egyptian geese fly from the shoreline. Lovely Wood Violet carpet the woods.
Saturday April 5th. A visit to Weston Park before watching Villa beat Forest 2-1.
Wednesday April 9th. Lovely to hear my first Willow Warbler at Belvide. See and hear the elusive Sedge Warbler too.
Thursday April 10th. The spring sunshine continues on a 5.5 mile circular from the canal to Monarch’s Way. Get my first Orange Tip as the hedgerows and trees take on their spring green.
In the afternoon, visit the so called Tulip festival near Penkridge. Underwhelmed, totally!
Friday April 11th. Our second visit to Sutton Park as temperatures reach 21°.
Saturday April 12th. Blossom and oak buds greening up on our Cresswell Lane and canal walk.
Monday 14th April. Our apple tree in blossom.
Tuesday April 15th. Lovely visit to Belvide, listening to the bright song of the Sedge Warbler. So many in the reeds and bushes, some showing nicely too.
And at Villa Park in the evening, a magical night of Champions League football against Paris-st-Germain.
Thursday April 17th. The spring adventure begins! Into France passing golden oils seed rape fields and arriving at Poses for another tranquil stroll by the Seine.
Friday April 18th. A delightful early morning on the Seine, listening the Blackcap high in a tree on the river bank. Arrive in Bessines sur Gartemps mid afternoon and have a fantastic walk around the lake, seeing my very first Map butterfly. Lots of butterflies on the cuckoo flowers and the Stichwort look so beautiful in the hot sunlight. Beautiful place!
Sunday April 20th. A short walk on the Cabanes trail in Cournanel listening to the wonderful Nightingale, clear and loud. So good to be back here in spring seeing fresh wild flowers and delighting in the sunshine and birdsong. Very few butterflies though. Later enjoy lunch at the Pierre Lys.
Monday April 21st. Back to Cournanel and strike lucky by the butterfly bank to see a Southern Festoon. Few butterflies around but very nice Swallowtail and Brimstone back in Alet. And a few Cleopatra up at Rennes le Chateau in the afternoon and a lovely Baton Blue.
Tuesday April 22nd. Feeling groggy on second day with virus so a short stroll to see the Chickens and up a little way seeing Narrow leaved Helliborine and Man Orchid.
Wednesday April 23rd. A big 5 miler on the Limoux trail, immersed in the variety of spring flowers and especially the profusion of pink Citrus. Several butterflies too, and very pleasing to see a Green Hairstreak and Spanish Festoon. Sadly no donkeys around today
Thursday April 24th. After morning rain we venture above Couiza down what I’ll now call my wild flower track, filled with spring colour and a sheer delight. Lots of butterflies in the breezy sunshine, including more Spanish Festoon and Green Underside Blue. The Flax are as beautiful as their name!
Friday April 25th. Plan to do the Bourigeole walk but access road closed so do part of the Bouriege circuit in hot sun. Picnic lunch in Roquetaillade, watching House Martins feed their young and seeing Swifts fly.
Saturday April 26th. On a grey drizzly morning, go visit the dogs and chickens up St Salvayre. Hear a delightful Hoopoo and see Griffon Vultures overhead.
Sunday April 27th. There and back walk in Cournanel on a grey morning before lunch at Escondida.
Monday April 28th. Valmigère, at its beautiful Spring best! The paths are lined with masses of white Stitchwort and the air is fresh and invigorating. A cuckoo’s call echoes around the hills, and the fields are filled with Green-winged and Provence Orchids. Corn Buntings sing along the trail, butterflies slowly emerge and I see my first Glanville Fritillary! Another exciting first was the bright Western Green Lizard suddenly appearing then escaping through stone rocks. The Pyrenees were snow capped and the perfect backcloth to a memorable walk.
Tuesday April 29th. The Boucle D’Ajac on a very warm breezy morning, trying the reverse route to avoid the vine spraying. Wild flowers and grasses peaking like UK mid-June, though not a butterfly haven. There was, of course, the obligatory Green-underside Blue! The Nightingale were loud and frequent.
On an afternoon stroll around the playing field, spot a Common Blue, a first for this spring.
Wednesday 30th April. Hike up a long winding trail above Vendemiès high above Limoux on another hot and breezy morning. Paths filled with the pink of grey Cistus, and on the way down get really excited to spot my first ever Duke of Burgundy butterfly!
In the hot afternoon, stroll to the Limoux trail and see another Glanville Fritillary, Wood White and Common Blue.
My favourite 12 for April 2025
