Purple Emperors and much more in Suffolk

With absolutely nothing on the pager worth chasing, Brian and I decided to spend half a day in Suffolk, our focus being butterflies. In the event our trip to Minsmere and the surrounding area gave us a terrific species list that included Purple Emperor, Brown Argus, Small Copper, Silver-washed Fritillary and Purple Hairstreak. (Most of these played hide and seek, but still good to see!)  Also new for the year were Migrant Hawker and Southern Hawker, while a Red-veined Darter in the dunes wasn't prepared to be photographed! Jewelled Wasps and Bee Wolves were everywhere along the Sandy Path.

Some good birds too: Hobby, Green Sandpiper, Little Gull and a Mediterranean Gull, bizarrely feeding two young and a Mallard! Common, Little and Sandwich Terns were flying out to sea and back: always terrific to watch...