ONE of the fascinating aspects of the natural world is that it is continually dynamic and never stands still. Even over relatively short periods the changes can be dramatic.

Who would have thought 40 years ago that the buzzard would become our commonest bird of prey or that ospreys would have spread their wings to breed in many parts of Scotland?

Such ebb and flow are happening all around, which is no better illustrated than through the status of our butterflies with several species in Scotland expanding their range.

One such butterfly is the orange-tip and only last week I saw several when out for a walk in Strathdevon. The tangerine splodges on the wing tips of the males are unbelievably bright. Little wonder that in France the orange-tip is known as l’aurore (aurora), representing the glowing sun at dawn.

Peacock butterflies too are much commoner in the Wee County than they used to be. The wings have the same iridescent ‘eyes’ as a peacock’s tail set against a background of rich burgundy, buffs, blues and coppery speckles.

One butterfly to keep an eye for over the next few weeks is the painted lady. These amazing butterflies are long distance migrants that sometimes arrive en masse from North Africa.

Some years they are abundant, in others very scarce. It is truly incredible that these fragile insects can travel such huge distances. How do they cope with head winds and how do they navigate?

On the sunny south facing scarp of the Ochil Hills small heath and small copper butterflies are always worth seeking out, both of which show flashes of delicate orange when in flight.

But back to the orange-tips. The good news is they will be around for another few weeks yet. One of my bug books describes this species as a ‘feel-good’ butterfly – an entirely apt term for one of our true natural gems.