I've been watching a small brown for some time and wondering gatekeeper vs. small heath. I would love it to be the latter as it would be a first on my land although I'm nowhere near any heath land. It's probably a gatekeeper but against that is firstly, only one white pupil (although I appreciate some only have one) and secondly its size. It really is quite small compared with the "normal" gatekeepers I get. To illustrate that, I was lucky enough to get a small copper to come and park alongside it to compare sizes. Also it's bands are not so well defined. Having said that, my gut instinct is that it is a gatekeeper but can someone tell me I'm wrong please!
Nick
Gatekeeper/Small Heath
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Pete Eeles
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Re: Gatekeeper/Small Heath
Hi Nick,
The butterfly on the left (like you say) is a Small Copper and that on the right is a Small Heath. Gatekeepers spend most of their time on bushes, rather than on the ground.
Cheers,
- Pete
The butterfly on the left (like you say) is a Small Copper and that on the right is a Small Heath. Gatekeepers spend most of their time on bushes, rather than on the ground.
Cheers,
- Pete
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