Y IN LOCKDOWN

Why not use this time to get out in the garden and create a multi-storey bug hotel that’s full of all sorts of natural materials, providing hidey-holes for creatures galore.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (rspb.org.uk) has lots of helpful advice on how to build a bug hotel on its website.

They say a bug hotel could shelter anything from hedgehogs to toads, solitary bees to bumblebees, and ladybirds to woodlice.

Among the materials you can use are straw, dry leaves, soil, sand and old roofing tiles.

Even these times of increasing uncertainty, one thing that never stops is nature. And with spring in full bloom, the birds are starting to reappear.

So now would be the perfect time to get out into your garden and see which birds are visiting you.

If you don’t have a garden you can still get involved – all you need is a window to watch the sky.

If you can hang a bird table or feeder it could make all the difference – fill it with soft fruits you have left over if you don’t have specific bird feed.

A water feature is another great way to tempt our feathered friends for a splash around and drink. It doesn’t have to be fancy — a bowl of water is fine.

Bird Watching magazine has lots of helpful ideas and guides on their website, birdwatching.co.uk.

Children love nothing more than getting dirty, so why not encourage them to get outside and make a mud kitchen.

You don’t need anything fancy – just let the kids loose with some old kitchen utensils and pots and see what culinary masterpieces they come up with.

Maybe don’t eat them, though.

Don’t know your daffodils from your petunias?

Well, now could be a great time to know which plants are which, and when best to plant them to bring your garden to life.

The Royal Horticultural Society has a great beginners’guide to gardening on their website, rhs.org.uk.