Wild flowers and butterflies 9th April

Yesterday I was disappointed because the cowslips on Roughdown have only just begun to show their leaves. I'll have to wait a few more weeks for the highly anticipated yellow carpet of blooms. But here's a beautiful specimen I found in the sheltered quarry of lower Roughdown.

Throughout the woods and on the 20 metre strip that borders the A41 the violets are in full bloom. Another annual treat to see that special spring colour before the ferns and nettles hide them.
Primroses twinkle in the shadows of the woods and all over the quarry slopes where we cleared the dogwood last year.

The bees are very excited by the pulmonaria or lungwort in the quarry too

. I'm not sure if this is a native plant but it is extremely popular with the insects and very colourful.

As well as bees of many kinds, there are lots of butterflies waking from their winter sleep and dancing in the glades.

 The hawthorn buds are just opening to tempt the bees.

The brilliantly coloured Peacock and the Comma are instantly recognisable.