![Dark purple buds and green leaves with the words NATURE NOTES, April 2019](http://www.longrunmeadow.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/NNApril2019.jpg)
The first April news is that the birds are back.
And appropirately the first sighting comes from Twitter:
Mixed group of Sand Martins, Swallows and House Martins around the willow Cathedral @LongrunMeadow while marshalling the junior @longrunparkrun today. Chiffchaffs and Greenfinches singing, woodpeckers drumming. @SomersetWT— GusRobin (@blackdownbirder) March 31, 2019
The willow cathedral, which has recently had its annual tidy up, is a fantastic place to sit and watch these fast flying birds. As the meadow comes into flower and the insect numbers increase, you can expect to see plenty of them.
![Living willow structure sitting in a field. Inset detail of column with newly planted branches.](http://www.longrunmeadow.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/cathedral-1024x221.jpg)
So far, the only things in flower apart from dandelions, are around the edges of fields, by hedges or under trees. There are quite a few cuckoo flower plants in flower around trees, but lots are in bud in cathedral field.
Cuckoo flowers. Garden bumblebee on white dead-nettle
Bumblebees are visiting the willow flowers, but also the species growing close to the ground along the river – dandelions, deadnettles and ground ivy.
A little preview of what’s to come – the hawthorn buds are filling the hedges now.
![Bright green leaves with tightly closed flower buds.](http://www.longrunmeadow.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/hawthorn-1024x683.jpg)
We love to see what you’ve spotted on the meadow. If you want to share something you can tag us (@LongrunMeadow) on Facebook, twitter or Instagram, or post pictures in our Flickr group.
– Hester