80 species of bird can be found around Le Fresnot. In any month of the year, you can hear up to 30 species without leaving your bed! Some however require a bit more effort to find, and so some information has been added below on how to find these trickier species.

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Click below for a full overview of what can be found at Le Fresnot. 

The field and neighbouring woods are the perfect habitat for some of Normandy's most charismatic and elusive mammals. An amazing 20 species have been recorded so far - some like Roe Deer and Hare can be seen in broad daylight, whilst others like Badger and Beech Marten only come out after dark. 

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Whilst you would be very lucky to glimpse once of these shyer visitors, there is much evidence of their presence. Take a look along the field's hedgerows on a damp morning and you may find the hoofprints of Roe Deer, or even the snuffling feeding signs of a Wild Boar! Or sit outside on a warm summer's evening and watch the bats hunting over the pond. 

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Species: Pipistrelle Bat, Serotine Bat, Daubenton's Bat, Noctule Bat, Barbastelle Bat, Common Shrew, Hazel Dormouse, Edible Dormouse, Wood Mouse, Field Vole, Fox, Mole, Badger, Beech Marten, Roe Deer, Hedgehog, Rabbit, Hare, Wild Boar, Stoat

From late March, the garden pond is used as a breeding ground by 7 species of amphibian. On sunny days, the croaks of green Edible Frogs carry through the garden. Large numbers of Alpine Newt (identified by their turquoise sides and firy belly) and Smooth Newts congregate near the surface. Shy Common Frog swim below the weeds, and Common Toads and shy Agile Frog only come out after dark. If you are lucky, you may see a rare Great Crested Newt come to the surface to spawn, or one of our 3 uncommon reptiles. 

Species: Edible Frog, Common Frog, Agile Frog, Common Toad, Alpine Newt, Smooth Newt, Great Crested Newt, Viviparous Lizard, Grass Snake, Slow Worm 

Over 35 colourful species of butterfly (that's half of the UK's total!) and 80 moth species can be seen around Le Fresnot's garden and field. The most likely you'll see are Red Admiral and Peacock which are in constant flight searching for food. Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood and Wall Brown bask on the walls, especially near the atelier. But for a true butterfly bonanza, venture down into the field and wildflower meadow. On a warm midsummer day you may find up to  15+ species, from the giant Swallowtail and Silver Washed Fritillary to the delicate Small Heath. 

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Species: Swallowtail, Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Wood White, Bath White, Marbled White, Pale Clouded Yellow, Orange Tip, Comma, Large Tortoiseshell, Small Tortoiseshell, Painted Lady, Map Butterfly, Red Admiral, White Admiral, Peacock, Silver Washed Fritillary, Pearl Bordered Fritillary, Meadow Brown, Wall Brown, Gatekeeper, Small Heath, Speckled Wood, Common Blue, Mazarine Blue, Small Blue, Silver- Studded Blue, Mallowed Skipper, Essex Skipper, Small Skipper, Ringlet, Small Copper, Sooty Copper

Large hawker dragonflies and their smaller relative damselflies provide hours of entertainment by the pond. In April, watch the larvae emerge from the pond to metamorphose into colourful winged dragons - an amazing site to see. Exquisite Banded Demoiselles and Azure Damselflies rest on the lilies, whilst huge Emperors and rare Golden Ringed Dragonflies dart around the meadow. 

Species: Broad-Bodied Chaser, Common Darter, Ruddy Darter, Southern Hawker, Emperor Dragonfly, Golden-Ringed Dragonfly, Banded Demoiselle, Beautiful Demoiselle, Blue-Tailed Damselfly, Common Blue Damselfly, Small Red Damselfly, Large Red Damselfly, Azure Damselfly, Small Red-Eyed Damselfly, Scare Emerald Damselfly, White-Legged Damselfly

The quiet offering of Snowdrops in winter and of Bluebells in spring builds up to a triumphant palette of yellows, pinks and purples in summer. Delicate orchids such as Early and Heath Spotted Orchid sprout here and there among pockets of yellow Bird's Foot Trefoil, Lesser Cellandines and Forget-Me-Not.  

Main Species: Thistle, Forget-Me-Not, Early Orchid, Heath Spotted Orchid, Dandelion, Wood Anemone, Early Dog Violet, Snowdrop, Bluebell, Cowslip, Marsh Marigold, Bugle, Bird's Foot Trefoil, Lesser Celandine, Yellow iris, Flagship Iris, Oxeye Daisy, Marsh Cranesbill, Cuckoo Flower, Lesser Periwinkle, Dogwood, Wild Strawberry