Minim returns

The very small, minim version of the black garden ant (Lasius niger) have reappeared in some quantity on the uncoppiced sallow whip.  There are no aphids I can find and I think they are extracting honeydew or sap from the new leaves.  They seem much slower than they do later in the season and last year I did not seem the until early May.

I notice in the photo above that something has taken a chunk out of the leaf edge.