Wildlife watch

Author, TV presenter and vet Jess French shows you what to spot in nature this month.

As migratory birds flock back to British shores, there is a clear shift in human behaviour too-people are beginning to spend more time outside, feeling the fresh air and warm spring sunshine on their skin. Insects and mammals are emerging from hibernation and bustling about in search of food, while hedgerows are bursting with colours and new smells.

All in all, the natural world just seems busier this month. Look out for bee-flies and brimstones buzzing around your garden, listen out for the arrival of wheatears and see if you can catch a whiff of the soft scent of violets. 

The most iconic animal of March is, of course, the hare. They are famous for rushing across fields and generally acting chaotically at this time of year. March marks the beginning of the hare breeding season, when males or bucks will try to win the opportunity to mate with females, or jills.

Bucks can engage in aggressive displays, chasing, boxing and leaping their way over open ground, so keep a look out for them on your wanders. After mating, jills create shallow nests in tall grass - not in underground warrens like rabbits. If you see a young hare on its own above ground, don't worry, mum will probably be close by.

BACK ON THE CASE

After huddling together somewhere warm over winter, ladybirds are beginning to wake up and venture out into the world again.