Highlight of a walk round Felbrigg Park yesterday was this stunning Purple Hairstreak which I discovered in the meadow to the south of the lake. After a wait of over an hour and a half during which time it just sat motionless in the grass, it eventually opened up its wings briefly to display its purple sheen.
Also around the park, my first Gatekeepers and Small Skippers of the year were also evident, as were a few freshly emerged Small Coppers.
What appeared to be a Migrant Hawker was flushed up from vegetation but quickly disappeared up into the trees, but this Common Darter and Broad-bodied Chaser were more co-operative.
Birdwise a Green Sandpiper was feeding along the lake edge, a Mandarin was in with the Mallards, and Mute Swan numbers had risen back up to seven. The Whooper Swan was as usual on the new water meadow, and a Little Owl was seen flying amongst the trees.
