If we hadn't been caught in a heavy rain shower that forced us to shelter under a tree in Hamsterley forest yesterday morning, I probably wouldn't have noticed these delightful little marsh violets growing in a ditch.
A closer look revealed several large patches of them, which is good news because they are the food plant of the caterpillar of the small pearl-bordered fritillary, a rare butterfly in County Durham.
I'll be going back for another look at regular intervals, just in case the butterflies are around ...... unlikely, but you can never be sure .....
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