Spring has sprung you could say, but it's not just pretty flowers or cuddly mammals who are awaking from their winter hibernation, some of the more fear-provoking predators have also emerged.

On the heathland the tiger beetles are now at large. From a moderate distance, these appear to be rather attractive emerald green beetles.

But move a little closer and you soon realise you are staring into the golden eyes of an acutely aware, focused killer.

It has to be said though that there are very few people who can say they have stared into this killer's eyes.

It's not that few have lived to tell the tale, as a tiger beetle is totally harmless to us humans unless you put your fingers in range of its biting bits.

However, the tiger beetle is one fast animal, in fact it is the fastest running invertebrate.

It is also very alert and you really do have to creep up on one to get a close look.

When you do, though, after the golden eyes, the large and wickedly sharp jaws then take your focus. The beetle has the habit of giving these weapons a flex every so often, in what appears to me to be a manner not unlike an expert swordsman swishing his blade or a boxer loosening his muscles before a fight.

It tells you, in no uncertain terms, that this mini beast is well armed and not averse to delivering quite a nasty bite.

On the marshes, grass snakes are now emerging and if you are very quiet during a warm sunny spell, you may be able to creep up and have a real good look at these magnificent predators.

But be warned: while not poisonous, grass snakes can bite and some can be very large, up to two metres in length.

If you do catch one basking and you are very quiet at this time of year you can get really close - great for some stunning photographs.

If you get too close for the snake's comfort then the first thing you will see is its posture change. Its muscles tighten and its head appears to flatten.

It will then move off and if you are still too close for its comfort it will give you the most bone-chilling of hisses.

At this point it is always best to accept your audience with this magnificent predator is over and let it go about its business.

Who needs to travel to Africa to sit crammed in the back of a dusty vehicle to watch a sleeping lion through the heat haze with a pair of binoculars when, with a ltitle skill, you can get up close and personal with some really fantastic British predators?