I am going to be a smart arse here .

On Wednesday 9th March I predicted on a butterfly web group that "butterfly
spring" would begin on 16th March.

And sure enough it did - I have been a butterfly enthusiast for all but 60
years now so ought to get it right after all this while!

Four species hibernate in Britain as adults, ie as butterflies rather than
caterpillars or chrysalides or eggs:
Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Comma and Brimstone. To that must be added
Red Admiral which has regularly over-wintered in recent years with the
warmer winters. Red Admiral is not perhaps a true hibernator in that they
often wake in mild winter weather, do a bit of feeding and then return to
hibernation. The other species remain totally dormant for months.

Jack