SPECIES TO LOOK OUT FOR
Common frog
A combination of smooth skin and a dark, oval pupil surrounded by a paleyellow iris distinguishes this amphibian from the only other possible ‘confusion’ species – the common toad. Having arrived at their spawning ponds en masse, the male frogs start competing intensely for females. This has to be one of the best annual garden wildlife spectacles.
Dark-bordered bee-fly
The fat, furry body, long proboscis and darkbrown leading edge to the wings immediately identify this smart little fly. A bee mimic, it is in fact a sheep in wolf’s clothing. You often spot it on the first warm days of spring, feeding from low-growing flowers such as primrose.
Buff-tailed bumblebee
This is an abundant species found in gardens across much of the UK. Usually one of the first bumblebees to emerge in spring, the queen ‘bufftail’ is also our largest. She sports two distinctive dirty-yellow bands on the abdomen and a buffcoloured tail (though this may appear white).
Peacock butterfly
Practically invisible when settled on a tree-trunk with its wings closed, this butterfly has two pairs of startling eye-spots on its upperwings. With its wings open, the species is transformed and has a glamorous appearance. Overwintering adults awake on the first warm days of spring, to feed on a wide variety of garden flowers.
Chiffchaff
No larger than a blue tit, this restless leaf warbler looks very similar to its close cousin the willow warbler. But the latter does not arrive in Britain from Africa until April, whereas chiffchaffs are common everywhere from mid-March onwards. They have dark legs, whereas those of willow warblers are pale. Chiffchaffs also endlessly repeat their name.
O Don’t go without No Nettles Required by Ken Thompson (Eden Project Books). More than any other, this book will help you maximise your own garden’s nature potential.