Tag Archives: Small copper

Butterflies on Creeping thistle

07 Sunday Sep 2025

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Creeping thistle (Cirsium arvense) is a much maligned plant. I understand that it can be prolific and somewhat invasive given the right growth conditions but, at this time of year, when many other wildflowers are going over and the last of the summer insects are struggling to find food, it is a gift from the gods.

This is especially true this year, following a long hot and very dry summer. Though we’ve had rain on and off this past week, the remaining wildflowers have been slow to bounce back to life – and many are past recovering.

Not so the Creeping thistle, which I have seen providing much-needed nectar to thirsty flies, beetles, and butterflies, like the Small coppers and Common blues shown here.

Butterfly catch up

02 Friday May 2025

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Just as it’s always magical to see my first butterfly of the year, so is it just as special each time I see the first of each new species. These are the four most recent beauties that have made me smile.

On 25 April my first Large white of 2025 flitted along the footpath next to me, sipped on a Dandelion, then settled on a Bramble leaf long enough for me to photograph.

The next butterfly species to appear for me locally, on 27 April, was this lovely Dingy skipper at an unexpected location – a bonus!

The last few days of hotter than usual temperatures have presumably triggered the early emergence of some species. This stunning male Common blue popped up on 28 April, five days earlier than my previous earliest date.

And, this very morning, eight days earlier than I’ve ever seen one before, I caught a flash of brilliant orange and there sat this gorgeous Small copper, always a treat to see.

A butterfly emergency

18 Wednesday Sep 2024

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I had a different post planned for today but the release this morning by Butterfly Conservation of this year’s Big Butterfly Count’s horrifying statistics has prompted me to share the very sad but not entirely unexpected news that our butterfly populations are plummeting. The 2024 count’s dismal totals are the worst in its 14 year history, and it’s not just due to this year’s miserable wet weather. As Butterfly Conservation’s Head of Science, Dr Richard Fox has announced:

Butterflies are a key indicator species; when they are in trouble we know that the wider environment is in trouble too. Nature is sounding the alarm call. We must act now if we are to turn the tide on these rapid declines and protect species for future generations.

A butterfly emergency has been declared but will anyone listen?

240918 small copper

Water mint

18 Sunday Aug 2024

Posted by in flowers, insects, wildflowers

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Is there anything more delicious on a hot sunny day than the refreshing smell of mint, whether it be in a long cold drink or when you’re out walking and brush against the leaves of one of the many species of mint that grow wild in the UK.

240818 water mint (a)

In the damper areas of my local walks, Water mint (Mentha aquatica) grows in abundance, and it’s now in full flower, a boon for hungry insects as some of the earlier summer flowers go to seed. I occasionally bring a few leaves home to infuse with a herbal tea that I leave to chill in the fridge but mostly I just enjoy the sight and smell of this pretty plant and the many insects that feast on it (in this case, Meadow brown and Small copper butterflies, and a Volucella zonaria hoverfly).

240818 water mint (b)

Second broods

08 Thursday Aug 2024

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After seeing very low numbers of the first broods of butterflies earlier in the year, I’m hoping that the second broods that are now hatching will have better luck with the weather and be able to breed successfully so that population numbers recover in 2025. These are some of the beautiful butterflies I’ve seen that have recently emerged.

240808 brown argus

Brown argus

240808 common blue

Common blue

240808 holly blue

Holly blue

240808 small copper

Small copper

Summer fire

11 Saturday May 2024

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While yesterday’s butterfly (a Dingy skipper) was late to arrive, today’s is about on time. I actually saw my first (the one pictured below) yesterday at Cosmeston Lakes Country Park, and another during today’s walk through the meadows at Casehill Woods. These vibrant Small coppers are such a delight, and their fiery colours are the very embodiment of summer for me.

240511 small copper