Spring banks

Two of the best wildflower banks are by the old sunken lane, now called Reservoir Lane, near Brede. It has a very rich flora, particularly in spring with plants like woodruff that are very uncommon in this area. The flowers in the close up are primrose (Primula vulgaris), early dog-violet (Viola reichenbachiana) and wood anemone (Anemone nemorosa), all ancient woodland indicators in South East England.

First butterfly of spring

One of perfect, warm, blue sky days that make one really believe winter is receding fast. At the edge of Brede High Woods, where the cold mud is at its stickiest and wettest, this peacock butterfly floated down and settled a yard or two in front of me. For me the first of the year - gorgeous.