More Butterflies, a Beetle, a Bat and a Box

It was exceptionally warm and sunny today and according to the Countryfile weather forecast this evening it's going to be dry, mild and benign throughout the week ahead... When did that last happen?! Stimulated by the rising temperature, more harbingers of spring were out and about in the garden this afternoon, with several individuals each of four species of butterfly. Comma and Small Tortoiseshell both put in their first appearances of the year, vigorously defending territories in the same sheltered sunny areas as Peacocks and Red Admirals. At one point we watched two Commas spiralling around each other and continuously gaining height until they disappeared from view right over the top of a large ash tree. A Seven-spot Ladybird basking on bugle (Ajuga reptans) leaves was the first of the spring for us, as was a bat (probably a pipistrelle) flying around the edge of the wood at dusk. A happy afternoon of willow pollarding, Cornus stooling and Buddleia pruning (inbetween the butterfly watching, of course), accompanied by a soundscape of resident birds getting increasingly into breeding mode. We put up a new nestbox on the fern-garden oak tree and not a moment too soon by the looks of it; many of our existing boxes, both in the garden and in the wood, are already getting thorough inspections from busy pairs of house-hunting Blue Tits.