Sheiling School helpers

On Thursdays we have been having some volunteer help from Sheiling School pupils and their staff.

Last week they were planting some Common Buckthorn and Alder Buckthorn, the two foodplants for Brimstone butterfly caterpillars.

The plants are just tiny whips at the moment but we hope they will grow into lusty bushes, to encourage the butterflies.

This was last Thursday, 22nd March, and the very next day I saw a pair of Brimstones flirtily flying in my garden.

And here is an image of a brimstone butterfly laying eggs. 

Photo: Matt Berry, Butterfly conservation