Now, I know that at one time or another we have all got stung but Nettles or perhaps have had the misfortune to fall over in a huge patch when we were kids but they are a fabulous source of life throughout the year as well as having practical human uses such as making soup, wine and string.
At the moment the plants are just getting going and new growth is popping up all over the place. Soon these small green clumps will shoot up to form proper nettle beds complete with hungry Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock and even Comma caterpillars, an assortment of other inverts including the aptly names Nettle Bug and of course lots of foraging small birds after food to feed themselves and their newly hatched young.
Small Tortoiseshell (HV)
Something tripustulata !!! A Nettle Bug I think (HV)
27-4-13