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Small Heath - 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 for opening the thread, Wurzel,
This species is very variable. Here is an overview of what I saw this year.
South of France, 4th August, form lyllus South of France, 9th August, form lyllus Pyrenees, June 2015 England, Bradgate Park, Leicestershire Cheers, Chris

Your Small Heaths sure are variable, Chris.

Ours, by comparison, are fairly uniform. Here's one I saw at Rodborough Common on 23rd May 2015:

Your individual appears well contrasted, David.
Chris

I think this a very under-rated butterfly but it does need a close look to appreciate its subtle colouring. I like the thick scales that look as though it has borrowed some wool from the sheep grazing the hillsides where it is often found!
Mike

I seem to have seen far more first brood Small Heaths than second, particularly around my local spots. The exception to this was in Dorset in late August/early September when there were good numbers on the slopes above Durdle Door and also on the way up White Horse Hill at Osmington.

This is one butterfly that I feel looks better in photos that include grass stems...it reflects the nature of species.
Cheers,

Neil

I saw these underapreciated pretty little things on most sites I visited and have a few favourites with Aldbury Nowers nature reserve throwing up a good range of markings then there were a couple of interesting abs. and finally I came across this plucky little thing still able to fly seemingly without any problems

My Small Heath shot was taken in Southport Dunes on 23rd May the same day I also saw the Small Copper Goldie

I see this species locally throughout the season, sometimes continuously from May to October, and in good numbers too. Consequently I rarely photograph it anywhere else. Here are some early evening roosters from 12th August a stone's throw from the M25 and within half a mile of Heathrow. Dave

Small Heath

Small Heaths are usually a right pain to photograph. They are flighty, they angle themselves so are a pain to get into focus or they hang from blades of grass which catch the wind throwing them around all over the place. Even when they are still, perpendicular and out of the foliage you have to really get down to their level a feat which is only going to increase in difficulty with the coming years. So this one was my favourite a it seemed to have mistaken itself for another species. It was easy to find, it was clear of cover and not angled against the sun and best of all and oddly it was at about head height in a Hawthorn looking lovely and backlit. Have a goodun

Wurzel

Don't remember where I took this pic, somewhere in the New Forest though, on the 30th August.