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Small Copper - Favourite Photo of 2015

Week 16

Almost two thirds of the way through and things are moving apace in the natural world - I saw my first Bumble Bee of the year this morning - I'm not sure this is actually a good thing

Please could I ask that everyone waits until a topic has been opened by me for a particular species before posting photos? Of course our overseas members are very welcome to fill in the obvious gaps relating to rare UK migrants. As like last year 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

Thanks, Wurzel,
Here is a couple from the South of France, from the month of April.
A pleasant period where subjects remain calm enough for photos without the excitement of summer heat. Cheers, Chris

My small Copper experience last year was poor, I saw them once only at Southport in the Dunes, I was lucky to see them, not so lucky with other species which I missed entirely, in fact my season wasn't good for the Silver section at all, I missed the Heath Frit, by visiting later in the year and the PB and SPB were few and far between at Gaits Barrow, I'm hoping to see more Coppers this year, but I don't think it will be in the North , my photo's were taken on the 23rd of May. Goldie

Small Coppers had a better year seemingly in 2015 than they did in 2014. Here's the sole caeruleopunctata I managed to photograph which was seen at West Williamston in Pembrokeshire in mid-August:

For me this species is one that I usually see in ones and twos at most places that I go to and in this respect 2015 was a fairly typical year. One thing that I did notice was that the summer brood was noticeably later than usual around my local spots and it seems that there was only a partial third brood with me finding just a couple of late examples at one local site.

They cropped up regularly along the coast paths on the Lizard in early June including this female with reduced black markings,
A few favourites shots taken locally,
A dusky looking male from Aston Rowant,
A Dorset Copper from White Horse Hill at Osmington,
and a third brood female from my local spot at Castle Hills near Solihull,
Cheers,

Neil

I like the way that this brilliant butterfly can pop up almost anywhere at any time! My photo was taken when my quarry was the Brown Hairstreak but it's always a pleasure to spot this small orange butterfly:
Mike

Well after a pretty dismal year for these gorgeous little jewels I'm surprised to have finished the year with 166 pictures of them!
This female showed up at the end of September and she literally does glow in the autumn sun I was also very chuffed with myself at managing to locate this egg I'd watched being laid on a previous visit to newhaven Tide mills despite the stone having tumbled down the slope

The Small Copper (along with Grizzled Skip) is my favourite British butterfly and I get down to Dungeness (Kent)as often as I can during their long flight period
I've included 3 pictures,one a fresh 2nd brood individual,next a blue spotted female,egg laying on some tiny weatherbeaten and chewed Sorrell,in October, and finally a picture taken
in the Bird observatory garden,in June(I think) my pic shows about 13-14 Coppers on a potted plant,but the warden ,posted a picture on the Dungeness website(and much better than mine !!) of the same plant with around 40 !! on it, quite a sight. regards Allan W.

I came across very few of these delightful butterflies in 2015, but seeing the splendid series of photos from Hoggers' Dungeness trips nearly made up for this!

I saw most individuals in Yorkshire, with these two from a couple of close locations on consecutive days: Calley Heath on 23rd August and Allerthorpe on 24th. Sadly, I can no longer find Small Coppers on my local patch, but they are hanging on at Bedfont Lakes Country Park, close to work. The sole example from 2015, seen on 12th September Dave

Small Copper

Usually in August we make a visit to my Outlaws and I walk the Lane or to the Post Box camera in hand hoping for Hedge Browns a plenty amongst glorious sunshine. Last year there was access to the field behind their house and this hosted a veritable host of Coppers. This year however the access was gone, the sun was a fleeting friend and at times it felt more like March than August. So that is why this Small Copper stands out amongst my other shots from the year as on an otherwise dreary and cold day the sun briefing coming out brought this little beauty out. Have a goodun

Wurzel

My favourite Small Copper pic of 2015 is also my only Small Copper pic of 2015 - they're either not numerous around here or I'm looking in the wrong places. This one was taken on Burton Common in September, right at the end of that afternoon's search for them, a hint of movement low down in some vegetation caught my eye.