Increasing light levels and temperatures encourage renewed activity in the garden.
Spring stirrings
With increasing temperatures and day-length, March is a time when birds and other animals, as well as plants, start to become more active and visible in the garden.
Amphibians such as frogs, toads and newts will be emerging from winter hibernation, usually from areas of damp ground, but may also be venturing from the sediment on pond bottoms. Be careful when cleaning out ponds, moving wood stacks or raking wet leaves, as you may be disturbing sleepy creatures.
Winter retreats
Leaf piles are, of course, a classic place to find hedgehogs. They will be hungry after winter and will be grateful for a bowl of dog food. Reptiles do not need help with feeding, but by laying out sheets of corrugated iron you will be providing a dry and secure place for them to shelter under and slowly warm up. Compost heaps are usually where grass snakes and slowworms take winter shelter, so again be on the watch for them when emptying out the bins.
Bird life
Garden birds start to become territorial in spring. This is a prelude to mating and nest building. Nest boxes can be put up at any time of year, and if there are few natural nesting sites in your garden then providing some ready-made nest boxes may help. Clean out existing boxes to remove debris and parasites. Breeding birds also need to be in good shape so do continue to put out bird food and water through the spring and summer months.
Smaller creatures are also on the move. Gardeners should be on the alert for aphids and various caterpillars. However, don’t forget that by inviting birds to your garden they can repay you by providing a pest control service. In the same way, a healthy population of amphibians can help keep slugs at bay. This is especially good news since the fresh, new plant growth in spring is a feast few slugs can ignore.