Last month turned out to be a contrast to April, 2007, when hot sunny days followed one another right through the month.
This year chilly days with sleet and snow showers, along with some very cold nights, slowed grass growth and prevented the cattle from being turned out. Inevitably, however, with spring progressing, the cattle are returning to the riverside pastures.
All cattle should be left well alone to get on with their crucial role of maintaining the riverside as the wonderful open space that we can all appreciate. Without them the land would soon scrub over.
Cattle grazing continues the centuries old traditional management that makes the riverside pastures so important. Elsewhere, much of the riverside grasslands were ploughed up for arable use during the second half of the 20th century so Sudbury's riverside landscape is particularly special.
Coming into Sudbury down Ballingdon Hill or looking towards the hill from North Meadow Common provides wonderful views of this landscape.

SPRING sees the trees bursting into new leaf and the willows look particularly attractive as pale green growth clothes bare branches.
Plants are coming into flower, with the lovely cuckoo flower now showing its colours.
These can vary considerably from white to pink and mauve. As the flowers come into bloom the butterflies, bees and other insects are able to feed and there have been several species on the riverside over the past week or two.
As the days become warmer, grass snakes, common lizards and slow-worms come out to bask in warm secluded areas of the riverside. This enables them to raise their body temperature and so become active.
These can be quite difficult to spot and if disturbed will quickly disappear into the undergrowth.

EVERYWHERE birds are busy nesting. The most obvious of these is the swan which stands out because of its size and colour. Mates have to be found, prospective sites have to be inspected, materials gathered and eggs laid. Territories have to be maintained against all challengers, whether out on the river or in trees, hedgerows or scrub.
Once eggs are hatched there are hungry mouths to feed from dawn until dusk.
It is an exhausting time of frenetic activity which is mostly completed by high summer, although some birds such as swallows and martins will have two or even three broods, depending on the weather and availability of food.

LATE last summer the dreadful and debilitating bluetongue arrived in Suffolk, being the first record of this virus in England.
This is transferred by midges among cattle and sheep and it is quite likely that this year will see a bluetongue epidemic of explosive proportions.
A vaccine may be available this summer but considerable uncertainty continues to surround the whole issue. Cattle on the meadows will be checked regularly for signs of the problem.