All photo`s hand-held Canon Powershot A640Another butterfly post, but one of a butterfly that up until recently I have been unable to photograph.
This little stunner is the Small Copper, a fairly common and widespread species. They are found in a wide range of habitats, from flowery hillsides to woodland rides and are sometimes seen in gardens. This butterfly thrives in hot, sunny conditions and in good years can have 3 or 4 broods, lasting from late April until November. In cool wet summers (this year being an example so far), the population of this lovely butterfly can crash and take several years to recover.
This little stunner is the Small Copper, a fairly common and widespread species. They are found in a wide range of habitats, from flowery hillsides to woodland rides and are sometimes seen in gardens. This butterfly thrives in hot, sunny conditions and in good years can have 3 or 4 broods, lasting from late April until November. In cool wet summers (this year being an example so far), the population of this lovely butterfly can crash and take several years to recover.
In East Anglia this butterfly has found it hard to survive, again due to agricultural intensification and there has been a slight decline in numbers. This butterfly has a brilliance that would be greatly missed were it to die out like the only other British butterfly with coppery wings, the Large Copper.
One of my favourite butterflies John.
ReplyDeleteThey seem to shine in sunlight.
Hi John. A cracking little 'flutter'. Certainly very low numbers around me this year.
ReplyDeleteHI John...Is there any use of pesticides that
ReplyDeleteaffect them..?? or is just the nature habitat that is being overtaken??
Lovely colors and markings..!
Keep the butterflies coming!
ReplyDeleteI see plenty of these up on the North Norfolk coast but hardly any (none this year) among the intensive farming of South Cambs.
Beautiful images John. I have seen very few species this year in Cheshire.
ReplyDeleteHi Keith,
ReplyDeleteYes, a lovely butterfly! They wouldn`t look out of place in warmer climates!
J
Hi Frank,
ReplyDeleteI have only seen 4 or 5 individuals of this butterfly this year, although the weather over the past couple of months hasn`t helped!
J
Hi Grace,
ReplyDeleteI think it`s a case of both of those things affecting numbers of all butterflies and insects as a whole. We have been too indescriminate in the past with pesticides and insecticides and now we are building on every available piece of land! Soon there won`t be a lot of countryside left for these wonderful little creatures!
J
Hi John,
ReplyDeleteI will try if I see any, the numbers are just so low this year!
J
Hi Andrew,
ReplyDeleteI don`t think that it`s just just in Cheshire that there are low numbers. Here in Cambs there are very few and the same can be said for Bucks where my parents live!
J
A lovely example of this little species John.
ReplyDeleteGreat collection John.
ReplyDeleteThanks Roy!
ReplyDeleteJ
Thanks John!
ReplyDeleteJ
Hello John. I am enjoying (and, as always,) learning, from your butterfly posts. This one is actually unfamilar to me. Great photos!
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Hi Bazza,
ReplyDeleteThankyou, you are too kind about my humble efforts! The Small Copper is widespread, so I am sure you have them in your neck of the woods. They are normally very flighty and don`t stay still for too long, I was lucky with this one!
J
This beauty looks so much like a small butterfly we get in our yard. Is it possible it could be over here in the Hudson Valley of New York, as well?
ReplyDeleteHi Susan,
ReplyDeleteTheir range does include North America, so you could possibly have them in your back garden. Lovely butterfly to have!
J