First flowering grass and butterflies

Our first local perennial and common grass to flower in spring is Meadow Foxtail--Alopecurus pratensis. I generally see this appear the last week in March but this year it is late and not seen until today.

If anyone is learning grasses, now is a good time to start without being confused by other grass species being around. Meadow foxtail is the first, with Sweet Vernal in a week or two.

Also seen today at Sunnybank, Todmorden were 12 small tortoiseshell butterflies, plus another 4 in the garden at home. A single Brimstone then flew by which made my day.

                  Meadow foxtail inflorescence just emerging from its sheaf.