I think we are in sync, too. I better go get a picture of my Pussy Willows tomorrow, if it's not raining hard all day. Our hazels are a little ahead of yours, though. Spring is fun - there's so much going on and changing every day. I hope you find some butterflies! Maybe by some maple sap!
No butterflies yet, but they will be around soon, brimstones first, probably.
I looked them up and those brimstones are a pretty butterfly. It makes sense they would be first, since they hibernate. Our first, in a lot of areas in the US, is the Mourning Cloak. It hibernaties, too, and likes to drink sap in the spring, dripping from trees. Here's to our first butterflies of the season! The hunt is on! : )
That's a pretty one as well, the British call it "Camberwell beauty". They disappeared as a native butterfly here in The Netherlands in 1964, but sometimes a few wander in from abroad. Happy hunting!