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/

Comments

[shapinglight]

It's lovely. They aren't uncommon, true, but they're not common either. I've only seen two this year.

[nanila]

Are they not habitual garden plant visitors? I know, for instance, that I don't see ringlets apart from in the hedgerows.

[shapinglight]

Are they not habitual garden plant visitors?

I don't think so. I've certainly never seen one in my garden.

[kotturinn]

Lovely. It's being a good year for some butterflies.

[nanila]

It has. I wonder if it's the weather, or the neo-nicotinoid pesticide ban, or a bit of both...

[kotturinn]

Bit of both I would expect. I think for the ones that are in abundance (including the ones normally seen further south and the ones who migrate in as adults) the current weather is advantageous. Perhaps even the cold spring so most emerged later when cold snaps were geniuinely over. Habitat loss is still a big issue, as with much wildlife :-(

[uninvitedcat]

Beautiful - both butterfly and photograph!

[nanila]

Thank you!

[shirebound]

It's wonderful that you're getting so many lovely visitors.

[nanila]

It's been an exceptionally good year for both quantity and variety of garden visitors! :)

[iddewes]

Gorgeous! I have never seen one. I live in Germany now but used to live in southern England and Wales before that.

[nanila]

Thanks! Hm, I wonder what makes them so elusive? It was pretty easy to mix it up with the gatekeepers when it had its wings closed, so maybe that's part of it.

[yourlibrarian]

What a lovely picture, so pretty with the little flowers.

[nanila]

Thank you! Yes, the oregano is very pretty in its own right, and it smells so good.

[highlyeccentric]

Oh, that's beautiful!

[nanila]

It's a pretty one, isn't it! And easy to overlook - it's quite small and hard to distinguish from the gatekeepers with its wings closed.

[minoanmiss]

What. breathtaking photo of a fluttering beauty!

[nanila]

Thank you! We are spoiled for fluttering beauties this year. It's a nice position to be in. :)

[felicitygs]

What a beautiful buttefly!! I wish I could see them more often when I'm out and about, but it's usually pretty fleeting.

[nanila]

I saw it again yesterday! If you have a place to keep an oregano plant outdoors (on a windowsill or balcony, if not a garden/yard), I recommend it. You'll get lots of butterflies visiting.

[felicitygs]

I wish I did! Unfortunately I don't, and that species of butterfly isn't very common here anyway :)

I'm pretty happy just visiting the local butterfly house when I get a chance.