Purple Hairstreak on Meadow.

 I was carrying out a butterfly survey on the meadow behind our house, when I found this Purple Hairstreak. It was slightly damaged and feeding on Ragwort.

 Normally this species is rather difficult to observe, preferring the tops of Oak trees.

 I have recorded this species around the reservoir before, but it was nice to find one virtually in the back garden and at eye-level! It brought my garden and Rough butterfly species list to 25. This is approximately 43% of the butterfly species that breed in Britain.
Birds of note on Friday included a Peregrine that was mobbing 3 Herring gulls and a fly through Hobby. Today 4 Ravens flew over, perhaps a family group and indicating local breeding success.