Explore the diverse flora and fauna on the Downs from season to season through personal observations and photographs

Tuesday, 24 Feb 2026

Tree Bumblebee on Cherry Plum blossom

The above average temperature and sunshine of the past two days has brought the first butterfly out of hibernation, a Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni). With early signs of spring a week or so early this year too, Western Honey Bee (Apis mellifera), Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) and Tree Bumblebee (Bombus hypnorum) were all active on the same […]