Of all British animal species, one more than any other is particularly associated with a particular month. The Mad March' Hare also occurs in the folklore of these islands more so than any other creature.

Of course, the madness' referred to is a most unique mating ritual - manifesting itself in the hares indulging in round after round of boxing-matches'. This strange and wonderful display can still be witnessed over much of Oxfordshire where open fields are sufficiently undisturbed to allow these beautiful creatures some sanctuary. The BBOWT reserves at Bernwood Meadows and Chimney Meadows perhaps provide the best opportunity for enjoying these bouts.

Where hares are to be found then there is every chance that the stoat and its smaller cousin the weasel will be present. Both vicious and efficient predators of hares, these lithe and wary animals are not so readily seen but to watch them chase down a rabbit or young leveret is as close as we have in this country to the drama of a cheetah in pursuit of antelope.

This time of the year is also good for badger watching. Although they do not truly hibernate, spring is when these charming and not insubstantial mammals begin to make themselves more apparent. While there are no shortage of badgers in and around Oxford, an organised badger-watch is the best way to go about spying on their antics.

Any of the local naturalist and wildlife groups and trusts should be able to help locate the best venue for you and the BBOWT reserves at Blenheim Farm, Sydlings Copse and Foxholes would all be good choices.

This latter reserve, an enchanting and peaceful woodland on the western edge of Oxfordshire is also one of the best places in the United Kingdom to see a variety of spring flowers - including swathe upon swathe of our indigenous bluebell, although you will have to wait until the end of next month to see them come into bloom.

Cowslip and primrose however, will be showing by March and are well represented at the Warburg reserve as well as at its sister sites at Ardley Quarry, Rushbeds Wood and Oxey Mead.

For those interested in lower' forms of plant life, Rushbed Woods and Dry Sandford Pits are especially rich in various and fascinating mosses, lichens and liverworts.

This is also the peak time in the year when our native amphibians and reptiles emerge from their winter hibernation. Most obvious to many will be the common frog that, by now, may well have deposited great clumps of spawn in garden ponds.

If so, don't be tempted to move these jelly eggs as this can translocate any disease inherent within the immediate frog population. And, in any case, frogs are the best slug control a gardener can have!

Where frogs amass then there is a good chance that grass snake may be present. This pretty and completely harmless reptile puts frogs at the top of its menu but it will also take newts if a more substantial meal is not forthcoming.

In Oxfordshire we have the privilege of having all three native species present. Of the three the smooth newt will be the most familiar, again being a relatively common inhabitant of garden ponds.

On the other hand, the palmate newt is pretty scarce, generally requiring more acid conditions than its relatives. Surprisingly perhaps, the heavily protected and impressive great crested newt is much more common in Oxfordshire than is generally regarded. It is an offence, punishable by law, to disturb these creatures or their habitat.

The common toad has been having a hard time of it of late. Numbers everywhere have declined, although it is still widespread across our region.

Occupying many Oxfordshire sites, although not easily seen, the slow worm (a legless lizard often mistaken for a small snake) can occur in considerable numbers in the right habitat. Its cousin, the viviparous lizard, is more patchily distributed around Oxford but undisturbed and sunny hedge-banks across the region may produce previously unrecorded populations.

Far less likely to be encountered is the adder. Sadly, this magnificent snake has undergone catastrophic decline in our area. Perhaps the only chance now to see this shy creature in our county is at the BBOWT reserve of Warburg.

Habitat disturbance, destruction and fragmentation together with the mindless killing of the animal (although poisonous they present very little threat to humans) have more or less done for it here.

Should you be lucky enough to see one of these fine animals, then please don't disturb it and ensure your dog is on a lead on this reserve.

In the world of birds, our winter visitors will be packing their bags for their return to their breeding grounds, if they have not already done so. However, it is always worth checking the hedge-lines for a few remaining redwing and fieldfare.

Flotillas of winter ducks will also still be in evidence, particularly in those watery hot-spots at Blenheim Park, Cherwell Valley, Dorchester Gravel Pits, Farmoor Reservoir, Grimsbury Reservoir, Otmoor and Port Meadow.

Teal, gadwall, shoveler and wigeon may all be present in reasonable numbers at any of the above and the more observant and dedicated birder may add the occasional smew and pintail to this species list.

Of our raptor species, the buzzard is increasingly becoming the most common bird of prey in Oxfordshire (although the re-introduced red kite population may be more in evidence in the east of the county). It is at this point in the calendar that soaring and mewing birds can be encountered and just about anywhere in the region is likely to hold a pair or two.

At the other end of the size-scale, some of our most acrobatic and maybe least observed small birds are particularly in evidence around now. Siskin and redpoll are both good candidates here and good places to see them and a host of other tree-loving species include Aston Rowant, Badbury Forest, Coxwell Wood, Warburg, Foxholes, Shotover Country Park and Cholsey Marsh.

These same sites can also produce roding woodcock and all three species of British woodpecker - green woodpecker, greater-spotted woodpecker and lesser-spotted woodpecker. The last of these is both uncommon and much harder to see than its larger and less retiring relative.

Perhaps the best way to locate this diminutive bird is by sound. Most readers will be familiar with the drumming of the greater-spotted woodpecker.

The lesser-spotted version of this hammering is similar, although softer, and its tone gently rises towards the end of the phrase (whereas the larger birds' phrasing dips).

Although March can throw some real howling days at us, it can also surprise us with gently warm and calm periods - where these occur towards the end of the month, insects will begin to emerge.