Doings: Fri April 9th

Recording a new piece for Radio 4's Saving Species programme today in a Wiltshire wood. I checked 9 larvae, of which all bar one had woken out of hibernation. Mostly, they've repositioned themselves next to nearby swelling leaf buds, but a couple had travelled 30-40cm. One who had hibernated on a dead branch had repositioned himself 40cm away next to a living leaf bud, though I daresay he'd journeyed more than 40cm. None has started feeding yet, though two may start very soon. Mostly, they seem to be on rather late-leafing sallows - trees that flower before coming into leaf. So, lots of hanging about waiting - rather like being in an airport departure lounge...