Small Tortoiseshell in Ayr

Whilst out walking in the lovely spring sunshine this afternoon I saw my first butterfly of 2009, a Small Tortoiseshell flying along the bank of the River Ayr close to Dam Park Stadium (NS344214).

My first butterflies of the year

With bright sunshine all day, next to no wind, and temperatures peaking at 14 deg C, I wandered around Stevenston's green spaces in search of newly emerged hibernators. A Peacock powered over the small Ardeer Quarry pond and a Small Tortoiseshell fed from heather in a garden beside Ardeer Quarry.
(Photo: Small Tortoiseshell)