A Falmouth wildlife photographer has snapped a butterfly in his garden – a full two months before the creatures normally emerge for the spring.

Steve Ogden snapped the image of the Speckled Wood butterfly last week – and says it is the latest example of how the extremely mild winter is confusing our wildlife.

In November, the Packet reported how banana plants were flowering in the town, while spring flowers are already blooming in hedgerows and gardens across the Duchy.

Mr Ogden said: “One of Cornwall's mildest winters on record is not only encouraging plants to flower much earlier than normal but it is also encouraging insects to emerge at a time of year when they should normally still be developing.

“This butterfly was seen flying in my Falmouth garden last Friday, some two months earlier than would be expected. “I've been photographing wildlife for over 30 years and have never before seen this species flying this early.”

The butterfly would normally spend the winter as a caterpillar or pupae.

n Have you taken a picture of Cornwall’s early spring? If so, email them to us at editorial@packetseries.co.uk, and we will publish the best shots in the paper.