Small copper butterfly

[nanila]

Today I spotted a new (to me) butterfly in our garden! At first I thought it was another gatekeeper, of which we have many, but then I realised that the sides of its wings had multiple spots rather than the single eye that gatekeepers' wings have.

Small coppers are not uncommon, but I've never seen one here (rural Worcestershire) before. I was under the impression their territory was further south. It makes sense with the unusually warm weather that they'd be spreading north. This one was a particularly vibrant specimen. \o/