Click on the link to send in your sightings info@foteb.org.uk to help us monitor Emm Brook wildlife.This type of ‘citizen science’ allows us to get a clearer picture of what is happening along the Emm.

For previous months sightings see Archive

The "Area Seen" refers to the 11 sections that the Brook has been split into for monitoring purposes (see Wildlife page under Monitoring ).

For what you can expect to see on the Emm this month, click here April

All sightings unless stated are from personal observations by Eddie Napper.

Click on any picture to see a larger image

April 2026

What is this life if full of care , we have no time to stand and stare.

 Leisure - W. H. Davies.

Birds

06/04/26 Amazingly a 2nd Osprey was seen flying north by David Rimes over Area 10.

05/04/26 Seen in Area 10 today were an Osprey heading north by Marek Walford and 30+ House Martin , 8 Sand Martin Swallow seen by Fraser Cottington.

04/04/26 2 new Willow Warbler were seen by Peter Lunn in Area 10.

03/04/26 A Green Sandpiper was on the bund at Bittern Hide in Area 10 seen by Paul Jeffery.

02/04/26 Chiffchaff Singing from a tree in Area 10 was a Chiffchaff also heard was a calling Greed Woodpecker .

01/04/26 Seen and heard in Area 4 and 5 this morning were Chiffchaff , Blackcap and Willow Warbler all Spring migrants. Also heard were Nuthatch , Song Thrush , Robin and Wren .

Insects

04/04/26 Acorn Weevil On Common Nettle under an Oak tree in Area 5 near Kingfisher Bridge was a Oak Weevil Curculio glandium .

03/04/26 Streamer The moth trap was out in my Area 4 garden overnight on 02/04/26 and checked this morning . The catch was 8 moth's of 5 species. Lunar Marbled Brown Highlights were a Streamer Anticlea derivata , Lunar Marbled Brown Drymonia ruficornis and White-shouldered House-moth Diaphora mendica a micro moth. White-shouldered House-moth With 3 new moth species added ,the total for 2026 is now 35 species. Following inspection and recording/photographing anything caught was released.

02/04/26 Comma Seen enjoying the afternoon sunshine in Area 10 at the car park field Orange Tip were Comma Polygonia c-album and a Orange Tip Anthocharis cardamines butterfly.

01/04/26 Yellow Horned The moth trap was out in my Area 4 garden overnight on 31/03/26 and checked this morning . The catch was 8 moth's of 7 species. Great Prominent Highlights were a Yellow Horned Achlya flavicornis the English and scientific names of this moth are derived from the yellowish colour of the antennae, Great Prominent Orthosia incerta and Muslin Moth Diaphora mendica. Muslin Moth The female of this species is white with slightly translucent wings, whereas the male is grey-brown or sooty-grey, although in Ireland it is creamy white or creamy brown. With 3 new moth species added ,the total for 2026 is now 32 species. Following inspection and recording/photographing anything caught was released.

Plants/ Trees

01/04/26 Wood Anemone Seen in Area 4 near Dragonfly Bridge , are Wood Anemone Anemone nemorosa One of the first flowers of spring. As a species it’s surprisingly slow to spread (six feet in a hundred years!), relying on the growth of its root structure rather than the spread of its seed. As such, it is a good indicator of ancient woodland.

Fungi/ Lichen

Do not eat any fungi that have not been properly identified , some are DEADLY when ingested .

Reptiles

Fish

Mammals/Amphibians

02/04/26 Smooth Newt Seen in Area 10 by Tim James was a Smooth Newt Anemone nemorosa .