As I left the house this morning, I was greeted by the sight of a small flock of butterflies! In the sunshine, six small tortoiseshells had found the red valerian growing in the garden.

Apparently, the name for a group of butterflies is actually a swarm. I haven't seen many butterflies yet this year - have you?

The butterfly in the photo above is feeding on thyme. When they flower, lots of our favourite herbs provide a great source of nectar for insects. We've got loads of advice and tips for how you can help butterflies and moths at home, including which flowers to grow.

  • This photo was taken by Sue Kennedy and comes from our own photo library, RSPB Images. Browse to find more breathtaking photos like this (you can order a print or canvas if any takes your fancy).