The wind has finally swung back to the south west and the sun is shining bright. Despite a thin layer of volcanic dust in the atmosphere the direct sunlight is enough to get the lizards out basking. After hibernating during the winter months common lizards are ready to emerge and begin their life cycle for another year. Today whilst out on site I came across at least three lizards basking in the early spring sunlight on the hand rails of the beach boardwalk. Males are usually the first to emmerge and after three to four weeks will shed there skin leaving a fresh often brighter new layer underneath. This signals the start of the breeding season when males can be seen chasing females. Despite this apparent early start young will not be born until July/August. If you make it down to the beachkeep your eyes open on bare patches of sand or the hand rails for common lizards 'sunbathing'.