First Butterflies of the Year.

The beautifully warm, though unseasonal weather earlier this week,  has brought butterflies out of hibernation. The sulphurous yellow of the aptly named Brimstone has provided a high spot in my own garden and has been seen by others in the village. This is one of the few butterflies that overwinter as adults, emerging in the warmth of early spring. However if March is particularly cold they may not be able to return to a dormant state and thus perish. A small brownish butterfly wich dashed through my garden at great speed was probably a Small Tortoiseshell, also reported by others in the village.