Hi Neil, I often look at the Small Coppers and wonder just what they are thinking
Today I headed down to Dungeness with the intention of re-finding two male Small Coppers that I've previously noted as having very definite territories. I wanted to see if they were still there and if so, to check up on them.
First port of call was close to the last cottage on the way down to the Observatory. Sure enough, there he was
using exactly the same little patch of shingle as his main perching place as when I first found him 6 days ago. I think he had either emerged on that day or possibly the day before (judging by his condition) and so I was pleased to see how well he looked this morning.
When you consider that the adult Copper is expected to live no longer than 3 weeks, he's kept to this one patch for roughly a third of his life expectancy.
Next I headed out into the Desert where I was over the moon to discover another male that I'd located 6 days ago was alive and well and in precisely the same territory as when I found him
I later came across a very fresh Copper and sat down to watch
He was in an area of the Desert where there's no grass whatsoever, just ankle snagging Brambles. He used an exposed patch of shingle as his main launching pad. I saw him fly up, alight on a Bramble leaf and begin to rapidly tap his feet on the leaf surface
and I soon realised that he was carrying out the "stalk dance" but because there was no grass for him to perform it on he was making do with Brambles!
Why are they doing this? It is purposeful behaviour so there must be a reason.
I like to think that just like aTiger in the jungle, the male Small Copper is scent marking his Kingdom!
I found 20 Small Coppers in the Desert
Elsewhere, a Brown Argus (big surprise!)
Painted Ladies
Common Blues