Hibernators Awaken

 Although hibernating butterflies can be tempted from their winter slumber on any mild and sunny day during late winter, there is nothing like a prolonged spell of warm sunny weather in early spring, to bring them out in multiple numbers.

Such has been the case over the last couple of weeks and I have spent as much time sitting and watching butterfly activity as I have labouring in the wood, hacking away at rhododendron roots.

Here are some images of our four common hibernaters in Britain.

Peacock (Aglais io)

Comma (Polygonia c-album)

Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae)

Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni) (male)