On Easter Monday temperatures finally and suddenly rose high enough to tempt out of hibernation the first butterflies of the season.

In warm sunshine at Wisley gardens red admiral, small tortoiseshell and brimstone (male pictured) our original butter-coloured fly and our longest lived species at just under a year, made the most of the blaze of blossom and flowers to replenish energy reserves used up during their long winter sleep.

The good weather continued yielding comma and peacock which completed our five hibernating species.

Also on the wing were a few early green-veined and small whites and holly blues, often seen in our gardens. These do not hibernate but spend the cold months in the chrysalis stage.

Any day now, orange-tips, favouring  damp woodland and water courses together with speckled woods, lovers of shady woodland margins will also be gracing springtime. If very fortunate, the tiny jewel-like small copper might appear and in some years painted ladies now known to overwinter here due to climate change may surprise us.

Very occasionally, migrant clouded yellows could  fly in if the weather is favourable although we usually see them later in summer.

So, by the end of April we should welcome up to ten and in exceptional circumstances twelve species emerging to add vibrant colour to our spring.