Butterflies and Moths

Two warm, sunny days have brought out the butterflies again. Brimstone and Peacock have both been seen in the garden, and a stroll down the permissive path to Ashton . with its south facing bank warming up rapidly, has produced Small Tortoiseshell, and Comma as well as Peacock and Brimstone.  My moth trap is slowly picking up again, with Common Quaker, Twin Spot Quaker, Hebrew Character, Early Thorn and Oak Beauty appearing regularly.

My sponsored Cuckoo, Selborne,  has spent the last few weeks flying to and fro between Guinea and the Ivory coast and is now heading North West. In previous years he has started crossing the Sahara around the 25th March so maybe this move is the start of his long journey back to the New Forest.