Rolling rocks and discovering the beetles

Ground beetles are becoming more visible again, and are often found sheltering under rocks. They are black in colour and some, such as the violet ground beetle, have a beautiful iridescent colour. Devil's coach-horse beetles may be seen in damp sheds. They are matt black with ferocious-looking jaws and they characteristically arch their back into the air when threatened. Along with frogs and magpies, ground beetles and devil's coach horses help to control the slug population.

Leaving small piles of rocks or bricks in the garden will provide homes for beetles as well as centipedes (which eat slugs and leatherjackets), woodlice, spiders, harvestmen and other interesting creatures. A neat pile is as good as a messy one as long as there are plenty of nooks and crannies.

A second generation of comma and tortoiseshell butterfly eggs are being laid on nettle patches. The mating season of hedgehogs usually ends this month.