Is Spring here!!

[MTR]

I was out walking my Local patch this morning when I found this little chap Drinker Moth caterpillar Philudoria potatoria He was about 30mm long and very active for this time of year.
This got me thinking about spring, its only 3 weeks until we start searching for our first migrants. The first to arrive will be the Sand Martin's they could be here any time after the 2nd week of March. It will be time to get the Moth trap out then weather permitting some other insects might start to appear. I know of one summer visitor we get here and he will be here from April until September is Steve (Fourwings).
As for the caterpillar I think he has got his body clock out of sync as I would not normally find them until April/ May time. I know that they over winter as a caterpillar but they are not normally seem out in the open until later. I think this chap has been pushed up the grass stem because of the field being flooded. He has now been moved to higher ground.

[Oscar2006]

We thought so in north-west Norfolk yesterday!
Fourwings was ready to strip off and get in the sea!

[nightshade]

I think Spring has been mis-cued but like a good trouper keeps trying,
I just hope there is no really bad weather waiting in the wings to dash
the hopes of all the creatures that are already reckoning on a family

[Fourwings]

Originally Posted by Oscar2006

We thought so in north-west Norfolk yesterday!
Fourwings was ready to strip off and get in the sea!

Don't think Norfolk was quite ready for a sight like that
It was flippin' cold enough on the beach so what the water temperature was like, heaven knows!!

[Boddie]

Originally Posted by Oscar2006

We thought so in north-west Norfolk yesterday!
Fourwings was ready to strip off and get in the sea!

I had a blue-tit joke but I think I'll let it go

[Susie]

Originally Posted by MTR

I was out walking my Local patch this morning when I found this little chap Drinker Moth caterpillar Philudoria potatoria He was about 30mm long and very active for this time of year.
This got me thinking about spring, its only 3 weeks until we start searching for our first migrants. The first to arrive will be the Sand Martin's they could be here any time after the 2nd week of March. It will be time to get the Moth trap out then weather permitting some other insects might start to appear. I know of one summer visitor we get here and he will be here from April until September is Steve (Fourwings).
As for the caterpillar I think he has got his body clock out of sync as I would not normally find them until April/ May time. I know that they over winter as a caterpillar but they are not normally seem out in the open until later. I think this chap has been pushed up the grass stem because of the field being flooded. He has now been moved to higher ground.

Oh bless, a Phil Potato catty!! That is what my kids call them anyway. Lovely picture.

Here the daffs are out, catkins are bursting, the dunnocks are nesting in next-door's hedge and when the sun is out it really feels like spring. Then the sun goes in again and it feels like winter! lol

[Paul mabbott]

Love that!
Up here, signs of spring - I've been out digging the garden and getting the garlic set at last *and* frogs mating in the pond ....

Originally Posted by Susie

Oh bless, a Phil Potato catty!! That is what my kids call them anyway. Lovely picture.

[Susie]

Today really felt like spring. The sunshine was warm and I've got this mad urge to get out and do things to the garden. A fine Peacock butterfly was enjoying the sunshine too here.

At Wakehurst Place, Sussex, there were at least ten Red Admirals. It was fantastic.

[Susie]

[IMG][/IMG]

Yesterday it felt like spring, today it feels like winter again.

[badgerwatcher]

Wow! That's lovely!