Seeing the Changes 176

The first butterfly of the year! A fresh-looking Comma (Polygonia c-album) in Clyne woods. In Langland (and all over the Gower), Gorse (Ulex europaeus) was putting on a floral spurt in the sunshine. There were also Common comfrey (Symphytum officinale), Ramsons (Allium ursinum), Rock cinquefoil (Potentilla ruprestris), Sweet violet (Viola odorata) and Shepherd's purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris) in bloom. In Bynea, shoots of Field horsetail (Equisetum arvense) were breaking through the tar macadam. There was also a 2nd butterfly, a Small tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae). In Loughor, there were masses of Grey field speedwell (Veronica polita) and the first Wood forgetmenot (Myosotis sylvatica). In that location, the efforts of leaf cutting bees were much in evidence and the bronze medal for butterflies went to a Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni).