This is the month when the world awakens. March is still cold and wet, but with so much garden wildlife on the move it is easy to be optimistic about the year ahead. Flying back The summer's migrants start flying in from the south. Though secretive and difficult to spot, the earliest of the warbler species to arrive from Africa is easily identified by its simple song. Waki n g up There are noises in the undergrowth, too.
Hedgehogs emerge from hibernation, snuffling loudly as they feed, mate and fend off competitors.
By contrast, shrews have somehow survived the winter without hibernating, on a diet of insects, worms and slugs. Bird feeding Now is the time to start to cut back on the amount of food put out on birdtables and in feeders. However, if the weather is still frosty, and particularly if the ground is still frozen, continue to provide food. Peanuts should be put into mesh feeders as young birds could choke on larger pieces of nut. Loosely pack dry grass stems, hair, wool and oak leaves into those string nets that satsumas and onions are sold in.