Springy insects, too

​As well as birds, butterflies and bees are also now venturing out.

Andrew Graham spotted small tortoisehells and a peacock at the top of the meadow that slopes down from Weaveland to the Oddford Brook, and Tim Jones reports them also in the Allotments, and a brimstone near Cuffs Lane.

I had several small tortoiseshells trying to hibernate in my house in the autumn, but I encouraged them out on warm sunny days to find somewhere more appropriate.  But a peacock obviously took up residence in my garage around that time - and it 'sleep-walks' rather disconcertingly.  Do they do this throughout, or is it a sign it's waking up, I wonder?

​Then there's bees - we're encouraged to plant winter-flowering plants such as hellebores and honey bees have certainly enjoyed mine.  And Dick Budden found this plump buff-tailed bumblebee queen enjoying his.

Please do let me know of anything you find and send in photos too, it's great to have your contributions.