www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Hi everyone, I took this today and I think it's a small heath. Am I right? Sorry, it's the only shot I got.



Thanks for your help

I'd agree, but that's reallllly early!

That's what I thought, but here in north Kent everything is. I'm sure I saw a large skipper as well today but I'm not going to go on the record with that one!

Very early indeed! Please report to your local BC branch immediately

Or let me know the location and I'll do it for you.

Cheers,

- Pete

Thanks Peter. What are the chances of my large skipper being kosher as well? is it not a bit early for them as well?

I think the chances are slim, I'm afraid. It would be the earliest sighting by 4 or 5 weeks over the last few years! (2006 was 30th May).

http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/flighttimes_earliest.php

Cheers,

- Pete

Ah well, I thought that one was a bit suspect! Small heath reported to Kent BC. Thanks for your help Pete.

I had a small heath on my local nature reserve in Bedford yesterday morning which I reported to my local recorder. I saw it sitting on the ground and as I moved forward to get a photograph it flew off not to be seen again.
Alex

That is VERY early.

Is the Small Heath in decline?

It certainly appears less numerous locally (Glos/Cotswolds) than I remember it a few decades back.

Unfortunately, like many butterflies, this *is* in decline. From "The State of Butterflies in Britain and Ireland" ...

Long-term trend: -52% (1976 - 2004)

10-year trend: -29% (1995 - 2004)

Cheers,

- Pete

I found a butterfly book dating back to about 1970 once in my local library, which described the Small Heath as perhaps our most numerous butterfly.

It is scarce around here - I know of only two reliable sites between the Mendips and Bath.

still common as muck in Shropshire! it tends to favour altitude in my experience.

I saw second brood small heath in good numbers last summer in the East Poldens reserves and Crook Peak in Somerset.