Many creatures are starting to emerge for the spring says the RSPB’s Tim Webb.

It’s about this time of year that hoards of toads march across gardens, roads and pathways as they move to breeding areas. It’s a hazardous time of year as no one’s ever explained the highway code to them, which is why it’s common to see flat toads on roads in March. It’s not just the toads. There are plenty of other creatures starting to emerge, including big, fat queen bees. I opened my windows to enjoy some sunshine this week and disturbed a clump of over-wintering ladybirds. They promptly moved off into the sunshine and I now hope they’re hunting greenflies and other garden pests.

March is a difficult month. I’ve started seeds off indoors, where you have keep an eye on them to prevent them drying out. The danger of a cold snap remains so it’s risky to sow stuff directly outdoors. Transplanting small shrubs like azaleas is still possible if their buds haven’t yet swollen or burst open.

Continue to put food out for birds and remember they can’t digest salty foods, so avoid hard cheeses, salted nuts or crackers. Go for natural seeds or raw peanuts. If you find squirrels are eating more than the birds, try sprinkling some hot chilly, paprika or cayenne pepper over the food. Squirrels aren’t normally too keen on it and birds are unaffected.

House building is a subject exercising many a politician at the moment. It’s also keeping garden birds busy so do leave some suitable material at convenient spots outdoors. Things that will be welcome are clumps of hair from a hairbrush and off-cuts of wool, both excellent for lining nestboxes and building nests. Long tailed-tits create the most amazing nests. It takes them about three weeks to gather material and form their soft-domed homes made of moss held together by cobweb strands.