Birds were in the process of gathering nesting material and amphibians had been encouraged out of hibernation into what proved to be a false spring.

March went out anything but "like a lamb", with heavy snow and hail driven on an icy arctic blast. Still, such conditions can only be short-lived at this time of year and soon we shall all be able to get out and enjoy Sudbury's wonderful riverside.

Before the cold snap and by the third week of February, frogs were already busy laying spawn in channels on the common lands.

This was several weeks ahead of what used to constitute the norm. Elsewhere, the effect of the warm weather was all too evident with four badgers run down on the road at Bridge Street in ten days, at a time when badger activity should be relatively restricted.

The skylark over North Meadow Common provides a timely reminder that spring is, in fact, well on the way and it is always a relief to hear its joyful song somewhere high above the riverside from late February.

Trying to spot the songster can prove very difficult as the bird rises higher and higher until it is a mere speck in the vast sky, yet the song is loud and clear however high the bird climbs.

Other birds that follow the skylark back to the riverside for the summer are the reed bunting, whose simple grating call is more than welcome as the number of these birds continues to decline. The chiff chaff, our first summer visitor, is already singing from every corner of the riverside and other migrants will follow in quick succession, while the swans are now beginning to pull the material that makes up their bulky nests.

These sights and sounds provide assurances that longer evenings and better weather are not too far away.

The planting of replacement sets following the removal of 102 bat willow trees from the riverside will be delayed until the autumn as the willow merchant considers it rather too late to plant the new willow poles.

For every tree that is felled under licence from the Forestry Commission, a new tree is planted to take its place. In terms of countryside management, this is a relatively new form of land use on the Sudbury riverside where cricket bat willows have been grown as a crop for only the past 80 years or so.

WITH warm sunshine the grass will begin to grow and soon the cattle will return for summer grazing, continuing a centuries-old tradition. They carry out the vital role of keeping the landscape open and provide all kinds of opportunities for wildlife.

If everyone heeds the advice clearly posted at all access points to the common lands, there should be no untoward incidents. Keep well clear, keep dogs under control.

Cattle always take two to three weeks to become accustomed to their surroundings and the fact there are lots of people and dogs moving across their grazing lands.

Want to make sure you can recognise a reed bunting when you hear one? Click here for an RSPB recording.