Wildlife watch

As spring begins, Jenny Ackland shows you how to experience nature waking up.

March is the time when nature starts to wake up from its long winter nap. Hungry hedgehogs are up and about, and if you’re lucky you might catch a glimpse of them as they snuffle around gardens looking for juicy slugs and snails. Another creature making the most of the spring sunshine is the peacock butterfly. With its deep red wings, it brings a splash of colour as it flutters by. If you go out for a woodland walk, see if you can spot the white flowers and deep green leaves of wild garlic carpeting a shady forest floor.

Cherry trees are starting to bloom too, with delicate pink blossoms that fall like confetti when the wind blows. March is a great time to spot mining bees. These insects are smaller and less fuzzy than bumblebees, so are easily mistaken for wasps, but they are important pollinators.