Walking with(out) Butterflies

Spring was in the air today so we took time out to walk the route we take when doing the Butterfly Survey. It was soggy underfoot but nothing that a stout pair of walking boots or wellies couldn't cope with, and the sun had some degree of warmth in it too.

Part of the poplar plantation at the start of our survey area had been felled twelve months ago. Today it was already planted up with saplings, inter-spaced with the old tree stumps.

A clearing in the wood housed several bee-hives....

and there was a fair bit of activity from the inhabitants....

Perhaps this isn't surprising considering the tree pollen and the spring flowers already in bloom...

Poplars, snapped in two like match-sticks, and other trees at precarious angles served as a reminder of the recent strong winds

This strange 'hanging basket' caught our eye...

 Our best guess is that it is formed from an accumulation of debris from the tree, which has become lodged in the branches and subsequently self-sown seedlings have taken root there.... but that's just a guess!

The sight of a Brimstone Butterfly (apologies for the inflight picture!) made us look forward to starting the butterfly surveys once again in March/April time.

We only hope the tree (two above) decides what it's going to do before we visit again...... and that the butterflies keep still for us to photograph next time!