The first butterflies of the year, would you believe it, were in our garden on Tuesday, in some warm sunshine (also the first of the year). In a 'normal' spring you would expect to see Brimstones and perhaps others such as Large Whites and emerging Red Admirals back in March, but not this year. The ones today were Tortoiseshells.
Another herald of spring around here is the Wheatear (also usually first appearing in March), but there are still very few about, and most of them that I have seen have been, unusually, in a grazed field just off the high ground of the moor. A party of four was in this spot this afternoon - evidently newly arrived and just about to brave the uplands after the contrasting perils of Africa and the Mediterranean. A couple of weeks ago while it was still very cold I saw a miserable looking female huddled in the road at Venford Reservoir.
Swallows are still in short supply, though starting to filter in. Still no Willow Warblers in these parts. What a peculiar spring!
Saw a solitary brimstone in our English Midlands garden a few days ago, and a single house fly by the back door. No chiffchaffs or willow warblers yet — but I did hear a cuckoo a week back very early in the morning. Redwings, pintails and goldeneye still hanging around. Yes, what a strange springtime!
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for your message, SW
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