Restless Copper.

During one of my butterfly forays around Bookham Common I searched for one of our smallest flutters which despite its distinctive copper colours often prefers to perch on or close to the ground and is therefore easily missed amongst the grasses. Knowing that the preferred nectar source of the Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas) is Common Fleabane made my search slightly easier once I located a patch of bright yellow.

The males can be very restless and readily take on anything that enters their territory, including someone with a camera, so it took me a little time to get this one to settle after chasing several Whites away!

This species thrives in hot, sunny conditions and can have 3 to 4 broods in a good year but if the summer months are cool and wet the populations crash and it usually take several years to recover.

Hopefully this summer will be kind to this delightful little copper beauty.  FAB.