This rather shabby-looking and frayed around the edges Peacock is the very first butterfly that I’ve seen so far in 2009. In fact, I saw it on the 21st February, two days ahead of my previous earliest sighting of 23rd February in 2008.The very first Butterflies to be seen in the year are nearly always the hibernators and, having “slept” through the Winter, they emerge in early Spring, usually at the first hint of a warmer, sunny day. I would guess that this particular specimen had emerged just minutes before as its flight and general movements were still very erratic and sluggish. Peacocks are among the most likely to be seen in early Spring (though more usually in March) along with other hibernators, including some of last year’s Red Admirals and the odd Brimstone or two.