Is Spring really here?!?
The wood ants have been really active during the last couple of weeks. As soon as the sun comes out, their nests are swarming with activity.
Bright yellow Brimstone butterflies have been a regular feature at the reserve over the last week. Comma butteflies, with their distinctive wavy wing edge, have also been seen. Other butterflies to look out for in March are Peacock and early Small Whites,
This spiny chap was spotted on a gate post in the car park this afternoon:
It's a caterpillar of a Ruby Tiger moth. These caterpillars feed on plantains and other herbaceous plants and there's plenty of those around the car park area. It's spines must be quite a deterent to birds wanting an easy snack. The beautiful ruby-red moth flies in mid to late summer.