www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Small Heath - Favourite Photo of 2018

Week 16

Even though it's cold outside and even though it's dark stupidly early it still feels like spring is starting - Daff, Snowdrops, Aconites are all blooming Not long to go now!

Please could I ask that everyone waits until a topic has been opened by me for a particular species before posting photos as then it will be easier to keep track of things? Of course our overseas members are very welcome to fill in the obvious gaps relating to rare UK migrants. As in previous years details of locations, dates, times and circumstances would be welcome as would any accompanying stories and anecdotes or other observations of behaviour and interesting other points.

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Only took one image in 2018, which is foolhardy given how much scarcer this species is becoming.

We still get decent numbers on the Swansea coastline and this one was taken at Crymlyn Burrows on 18 May:

It's quite easy to take this declining species for granted given they are generally on the wing in the same habitat and at the same time of year as the more gaudy Lycids, but I took quite an interest in them this year, in particular the shear variety in ground colour and patterning on the underside. So much so you'd be forgiven for thinking they didn't belong to the same species if you didn't know any better! Oh and I got a little bit imaginative in how to display the variety

Here's one I spotted in Abbots Wood, East Sussex while looking for Pearl-bordered Fritillary in May:
Abbots Wood, May 20 2018, 2.23pm

Cheers
John W

Mine only earned its place here because it's the only Small Heath photo that I took in 2018!

Nevertheless, I think it's an attractive species, even though it's usually seen when trying to find something else. I find it intriguing to see how this one has managed to find footholds on the various dry grass stems that are surrounding it.
Mike

I saw my Small Heath firstly in Southport Dunes on the10th June and in Seasalter Kent on the 18th July, I like the second shot because the Butterfly seemed a rich colour.
In SP Dunes they seem to be every where I didn't see any decline in numbers there. Goldie

bugboy wrote:It's quite easy to take this declining species for granted given they are generally on the wing in the same habitat and at the same time of year as the more gaudy Lycids, but I took quite an interest in them this year....

Agree entirely, BB. I think we should all pay more attention to this species before it goes 'Wall Brown' on us!

I find myself with quite a few images of this much-overlooked little butterfly, mostly from my local patch, but one has to stand out as a favourite: Dave

millerd wrote:I find myself with quite a few images of this much-overlooked little butterfly, mostly from my local patch, but one has to stand out as a favourite

Yes, it certainly stands out With modern cameras, we've become almost blasé about open wing shots of butterflies such as the Brimstone, but the topside of a Small Heath remains very unfamiliar. I had to pause for thought, when I first saw yours! Congratulations.

Mike

Nice shot millerd, not many have got one like that I should think.

Here are a couple from the south of France in August and September.
The markings are more interesting in this later brood. Chris

millerd wrote:I find myself with quite a few images of this much-overlooked little butterfly, mostly from my local patch, but one has to stand out as a favourite.

Quite rightly, Dave. An outstanding capture.

I have, occasionally, seen Small Heaths briefly flick their wings open but your image has recorded the upperside better than any other I've seen.

While we are on the subject of topside C. pamphilus photos, I'll just pop this one in from the south of France: Chris

Chris Jackson wrote:While we are on the subject of topside C. pamphilus photos, I'll just pop this one in from the south of France...

That's the fleeting view I'm familiar with, Chris, but have never been quick enough to capture!

Well done.

Small Heath

Like so many of my faves this year my Favourite Small Heath came from Laverstock. However I didn’t choose this one because of its pristine attire; quite the opposite in fact. The individual I chose was missing most of their hindwing which gave me a glimpse of the underside fore wing which is normally hidden away. True it’s a continuation of the background colour of the rest of the wing and there aren’t any spots, stripes or metallic strips but it’s still nice to see an aspect of a butterfly that you’ve not seen before. Also getting on a bit myself it’s nice to favour the more aged individual.
Have a goodun

Wurzel

I've never observed Small Heaths so closely as I did on 30th June, on a visit to Fen Bog in the North York Moors in search of their Large cousins! Up until the moment when I spotted an actual Large Heath, every single Small looked 'a little bit different'...

Although numbers seem to be dropping year on year in Warwickshire, I am still finding them at most of my local spots and they often turn up in random areas of long grass away from the usual 'sites'
Down in Dorset in early September they were often the most common butterfly seen,
Cheers,

Neil.