Hoggers

[Goldie M]

Hi! Hoggers, I just love your closeups of the Copper, he does seem to be watching you I wish you could send some of them North Goldie

[Hoggers]

Hi Goldie, thanks for your kind comments - I've got my fingers crossed for you!

It was "A Tale of Two Coppers" at Dungeness this morning.

I looked in on this chap

He had as his territory this Bramble patch

Where he seemed very much at home

But at 1016 a Young Pretender suddenly appeared

And looked to be making himself too comfortable

So it wasn't long before sparks began to fly

Time and time again these swashbuckling Coppers would engage in ferocious and lengthy aerial displays, high and low ( in fact I twice saw the younger force the older male down onto the pebbles where he'd sit awhile before returning to the Brambles).
Both would resume perching on the blackberries

And once settled close by each other

only to start squabbling again.

Between 1016 and 1100 I counted no less than 28 punch-ups between these two, after the last of which only the younger male returned

He settled in to his new territory

Nectared for the first time

And at 1120 I watched him do the "Stem Dance" routine ( but as there was no grass to perform on he went tap-dancing across the Bramble leaves and Blackberries!)

At 1145am I had to go. I saw no sign of the older male.

Before heading home I checked in on another male that I've been watching

Still on his patch after 7 days!

Today I saw only 15 Small Coppers but many that I found were clearly very fresh indeed.

[Hoggers]

Last Sunday I watched a young Small Copper oust an older Small Copper from his territory. Today I returned to find the younger male was still in possession of the Bramble patch

Although the sun was shining it was very windy but the male sat prominently up on the bush ignoring the buffeting winds

I saw him fly several times around his territory to check if any intruders or females had appeared, always returning to the same watch point

During this routine instead of checking the area he went on a "stalk dance", only as there's no grass he made do by tap-dancing over the Bramble leaves and spiralling down on this plant whilst quickly tapping his feet

From the helpful replies I received to my question in the "General" forum as to whether butterflies have "scent" receptors in their feet I can only conclude that the male Copper is regularly testing his immediate environment

But what for? Perhaps for signs of females in the area? I don't know.

Blowy though it was I managed to find a few more Coppers

It's wonderful to see such bright young things so late in the season

I saw a female rebuffing a lusty male

And came across a lovely blue badger

I saw 14 Small Coppers today

There's still life in the season!

[Goldie M]

Fantastic shots Hogger's , I do envy you your Copper's Still no sign them here in spite of the weather being so nice, I think it's going to be next year now before we see them here. Goldie

[Hoggers]

Cheers Goldie - If you don't find any Coppers then do come and visit Dungeness next year!

I was treated to some very interesting examples of female Small Copper behaviour today.

Firstly, here's a female warding off the attentions of a male

You can see her walking (not flying) away from him

Then doing the "Turkey Strut"

Waving her hind wings at him

This male got the message and simply stopped, allowing her to walk away into the bush

I find it fascinating to watch.

Secondly, here's a beautiful and fresh lady that I found today

with gorgeous blue badges

She was quietly nectaring

when a male flew in,right above her,landing nearby but not in any way paying her attention.

Her instant reaction as he flew in was to snap shut her wings and freeze

And she remained this way for 5 seconds before resuming her business

I have now witnessed females do this on several occasions

Although this female was very fresh there's a definite tang of Autumn in the air

Still some lovely butterflies to see though

And there's a beauty in even the most tattered of Coppers

I counted 21 today

[Goldie M]

Beautiful photos Hogger's, I love the shots of them on the Berries, I never get tired of looking at them Goldie

[Hoggers]

I love to see them perched on the blackberries too, Goldie, they look like something out of 'A Midsummer's Night Dream"!

Glorious sunrise today

Once the temperature had risen I headed down to Dungeness. Firstly I checked on the young male that I watched evicting an older Copper from his patch

Still there after 7 days

I then ventured out into "The Desert". I wanted to see whether a male Copper I found on 20th September was still on his patch. I had my fingers crossed! The longest I've recorded a male keep to a set territory is 7 days, so I really had my hopes up for this one.

And when I got there

I found him!!!!

He may not look very special

But he's special to me!

He's been at this same site for at least 14 days. His favourite roosting place is next to my hat (in the photo!) and unlike other males that I've watched this year his patch is large, I've seen him range about the whole area in the photo.

I read in Frohawk that a Small Copper adult is expected to live for 3 week, so this chap has spent at least 2/3rds of his life on the same patch.

I hope I'm not giving a false impression. Although some male Coppers do stick to a single territory for many days, lots do not. All seem to be territorial but there are males that move on ( perhaps due to their disposition or to outside factors).

I saw quite a few punch-ups today. These two were unhappy neighbours

Constantly in dispute

As were others that I watched today

I don't know if they do much damage to each other in these contests, I doubt it unless it's accidental.

They have their quieter moments

Males seem to be active before females in the mornings. As the morning went on I saw females appear. This one came out from within the bush and began to bask in the sun

I was delighted to find this beauty

So it's still very Coppery

I did find one NCCFO ( Non Copper Coloured Flying Object)

Very Late!

But still plenty of Coppers to keep me entertained

[Goldie M]

Fantastic Hogger's just wished I lived nearer I'm still on the look out but nothing so far Goldie

[Neil Freeman]

I really enjoy reading your reports on the Small Coppers Hoggers, great observations accompanied by smashing photos

Be interesting to see how long they hang on for down there.

Cheers,

Neil.

[Wurzel]

More cracking Coppers Hoggers I still haven't seen any third generation Coppers at my usual sites - do you think I've missed them or are they still to come?

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Hoggers]

Hi, many thanks for all of your generous comments. It's a feature of this wonderful UKButterflies website that absolute novices like myself will receive a warm welcome and encouragement for their efforts to learn about butterflies, so thank you very much indeed.

As for the remaining Small Copper season, in past years I've found them right up to the end of October and even into November, so the best of luck to you all!

Hoggers

[peterc]

You're being modest, Hoggers. You don't sound like an absolute novice to me . Some super shots of the coppers and long may they continue flying.

ATB

Peter

[bugboy]

Some fascinating observations Hoggers, particularly that male who's retained his territory for 2 weeks. Is that patch of raised ground south facing? If it is my guess would be it's warmer micro climate makes well worth holding on to, especially at this time of year with the weaker sun.

[Maximus]

Brilliant observations of the Small Coppers, Hoggers, and lovely shots of them too.

[Hoggers]

Thanks for all of your kind comments.

The Small Coppers have repaid me for all the time I've spent watching them many times over. They are fascinating creatures and there's so much more to learn,

Best wishes,

Hoggers.

[David M]

Here's hoping for a November Small Copper in 2015, Hoggers! It was 20c when I drove home in Swansea this afternoon and the last couple of weeks (bar yesterday) have been pretty good.

Should give this species a chance to continue flying for a while yet.

[millerd]

I hope they go on and on for you, Hoggers. I did a complete double-take with that NCCFO, by the way - brilliant to sneak that one in! But yes, a very late Brown Argus. An isolated third brood individual?

Dave

[Hoggers]

Hi Dave, that NCCFO surprised me too! You never know what might turn up when you go butterflying!

Buggy, I think you're right about that Copper's patch. It certainly is a sun trap and he's got a good supply of nectar from various flowers growing there. When I get the chance I'll look in on him again and report back.

I'll have to check my records but I think the latest I've ever found Small Coppers at Dungeness is the second week in November, so hopefully there's plenty of life left in the season

Best Wishes

Hoggers

[Hoggers]

Such a gorgeous October day: no wind and constant warm sunshine. Just perfect for me to check in on the Small Coppers of Dungeness!

Firstly,I just couldn't wait to find out if the male Copper I featured in last sunday's report was still on his patch

My best record for a male holding a territory was 7 days until I checked in on him on sunday when that record was broken and a new high of 14 days set.

So with hope and trepidation in my heart I scrunched across "The Desert" to his patch...and there he was!!!

I was delighted! This chap has stayed in this same place for at least 19 days

(And you're right Buggy, it is south facing.)

When I first found him and sat down to watch it was 20th September and he looked 1 or 2 days old (guessing by his condition).

19 days later he is there still!

Chuffed with that result I wandered off and soon began finding Small Coppers

As you can see, some at least are in fine condition

Although the males are now rather tired

This female had a lovely wide hind wing orange band

(a feature I come across now and again)

I watched duelling males

Little sparks of Copper.

I saw 21 Small Coppers today

[jenks]

We`ll have to christen you the "Copper-king" !. Your reports of finding Small Coppers and your photos are a joy to read and see.

Jenks.