A bit of spring in our steps...

At last, something other than freezing cold weather. Had a few days away but didn't miss anything, and returned just in time for the sunshine. As a result, the list has risen and the annual "filling the top of the fridge with those damn pots" has started again! Latest additions:

262 - a late addition from January, I finally sent a little blobby fungus to Tony Leech, our super Norfolk fungus recorder, and he has kindly confirmed it as Lachnella alboviolascens. There's two species apparently which need separating on spore characteristics - a bit out of my league.

263 - Oxychilus alliarius - very garlicky snail

264 - Box Bug Gonocerus acuteangulatus - found by my wife whilst clearing out our strawberry patch. I'd previously found this rapidly expanding (range, not girth) species in Thetford but this was my first east Norfolk record.

265 - Hairy-footed Flower-bee Anthophora plumipes - only a quick glimpse of the mini black "bumble" - expect to see more soon

266 - Brimstone Gonepteryx rhamni - not much buckthorn around us so good one to get (and a welcome sign of spring at lunchtime yesterday, earning itself a cheer from all the family)

267 - Demetrias atricapillus - a carabid beetle found under the strawberry planters - pleasantly easy to key!

268 - Early Dog-violet Viola reichenbachiana - I often struggle with the dog-violets but this patch seemed to key out perfectly.

269 - Coltsfoot Tussilago farfara - pleasing, wasn't sure where this might be in the square but found it on an arable set-aside margin behind the house.

270 - Hebrew Character Orthosia gothica - about flippin time! Finally got one in the trap last night.

271 - Cherry-plum Prunus cerasifera - as ever, difficult to know about provenance but "looked wild". Green twigs.

272 - Comma Polygonia c-album - whizzed through the garden today.

273 - Marsh-marigold Caltha palustris - little patch in flower by the pond.

274 - Shoulder Stripe Anticlea badiata - found in flower bed, presumably attracted by nearby moth trap last night.

275 - Field Wood-rush Luzula campestris - on a roadside verge on a pre-dinner amble.

What a lot of other things I have in pots though. Rather pleased to get Water Cricket Velia sp. and will be checking that soon. Also a teeny little water beetle from the pond to try my water beetle book on. Exciting times!

Demetrias atricapillus