Found this caterpillar in the bush next to the garage today. Strange to see a caterpillar so early in the year. It looks pretty well fed and happy although doesn’t look like it was eating the bush. I’m not sure what sort it is… I’ve looked at some identification sites but to no avail.  Maybe a white butterfly of some sort. Any ideas? Please comment

2015-01-11 Update : Isla Dawn from the Discoverwildlife/localpatchreporters forum thinks it might be a small skipper caterpillar (Thymelicus sylvestris)