On the move

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. It's always a thrill to hear the first "chiff-chaff, chiff-chaff" call of this dull green-brown bird with the most unimaginative of names.

Waking 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. This is when they breed, so listen out for their high-pitched mating call; it sounds more like an insect than a mammal.

Bird feeding

Now is the time to start to cut back on the amount of food put out on bird tables 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. Hang one by the bird-feeder and fix another firmly to the ground.

Birdboxes

Take birdboxes out of the shed and check them over for damage before fixing them to a suitable wall or tree. Make sure you choose a site away from fences and branches to keep safe from cats.

Dawn chorus

The variety of birds in your garden is a good indication of the quality of your environment. Try tuning in to your dawn chorus one morning this month. Close your eyes and count each new song you hear. In the city, you may only hear the occasional sparrow, starling or pigeon, but in a sheltered garden in a mature, leafy neighbourhood you could have wrens, robins, blackbirds, blue tits, great tits and a dozen more besides. If you hear more than 15 songs, you'll know you are living in a healthy habitat, for you as well as for the birds.

After dark

Great crested newts arrive in ponds this month. If you are lucky enough to have them it is worth venturing out after dark to observe their activities. Last month the frogs arrived and in March it's the turn of newts. Look out for the common newts as well as the rarer, and bigger, great crested newts. The best time to watch them is after dark. Take a torch and look out for males, with their showy crests, shadow-boxing with each other, pursuing females and fanning sperm with their tails. Each egg is laid individually; look for females depositing one on water plant stems and carefully folding a leaf around it for protection.

Pond maintenance

Make sure that ponds are clear of leaves and that there are plenty of moist hiding places under stones around the pond edge for newts, toads and frogs to shelter.

If you don't already have a pond or only have very limited space, sink an old washing-up bowl in the ground leaving its top flush with the surface. Place a stone or brick inside to allow frogs and newts easy access, fill with water and just let nature take its course. You will be surprised by how quickly flora and fauna will take up residence.

Waterweed

If you want to speed up the colonisation of a pond, transplant waterweed once common newts have finished their egg-laying cycle. Never transfer adult newts from one pond to another and remember that with the great crested newt, it is against the law to handle any part without a licence, and that includes the eggs.

Log pile

Pile up some logs and branches alongside a wall or fence to create shelter for small mammals and insects. Over time the wood will rot and create different conditions and so will attract other creatures to the site. Once the pile has been built, do not touch it so as not to disturb the inhabitants inside.

Shrubs

If you have space, a well-chosen shrub will attract visiting wildlife. Nectar-rich flowers such as those of buddleia will attract many flying insects like colourful butterflies.

Berry-producing shrubs will encourage birds to your garden towards the tail-end of the year when food supplies start to become limited. Red-fruited pyracanthas are particularly popular with blackbirds, while the succulent white berries of the snowberry, Symphoricarpus albus, lure robins and finches. These shrubs also give protection from predators, such as cats and hawks.

Bark mulch

Spread a coarse bark mulch on some borders to suppress unwanted weeds as well as to provide moist habitats for small creatures such as ground beetles.

Hibernating insects

Take care when removing garden tools, machinery and pots from the shed for the first time after the winter because hibernating butterflies, lacewings and other beneficial insects could still be sheltering among them.