On Friday, my sister-in-law, Charlotte, came over to stay. So yesterday, together with my wife, Jude, we all went out for a short walk along the Wales Coast Path. After about 30 minutes of walking, I’d got slightly ahead and was called back, as both said they had seen a “very small, bright orange butterfly, with black edges”. It flew off before I could get even a sight of it and, more crucially, before anyone could get a picture. Upon returning to the house, I got out my book and both said it looked just like the Scarce Copper. This is interesting as they are not known to frequent these shores, preferring mainland Europe.
To ‘set the scene’ further, this is what a Scarce Copper looks like and you would think it would be unmistakeable, other than for a Large Copper, which looks very similar, but is slightly larger and is also not usually found in Britain.
Given the prospect of maybe ‘discovering’ one of the first Scarce Coppers ever seen in the UK (perhaps in recent times), I set out today to visit the same location in the hope of getting a picture… The weather was breezy and many clouds were about, so I wasn’t hopeful.
But no, I did spot something flutter up. It was small, a little too brown (from my point of view) to be a Scarce Copper, but there was a flash of colour… Even though I thought I saw exactly where it landed, it had disappeared completely. After another 30 minutes or so of waiting and searching, I gave up. 😌
However, on the way to the location, I had paused to take some very poor photos of a Speckled Wood and a dragonfly. So on my return I was looking out for them to get some better pictures – which I did. And, as well as a rather strange looking spider (any suggestions anyone?) and a still loaded blackberry bush, I got some decent images… (But read on…)
Once I got home I was sorting out the pictures and, you should be aware that, I’m in the habit of taking a photo from far away before getting as close as possible to the subject. I took this picture:
Now I thought this must be a precursor to the dragonfly above, but no, and don’t ask me where this came from but, upon zooming in, look what I found:
It’s hard to tell, but I think this is a Small Copper. Now, of course, this may not be what my wife and Charlotte saw yesterday. So the jury is still out. Perhaps another visit is required tomorrow…? 🤔
Alittlebitoutoffocus 
Hope the weather is friendly for butterflies then, Mike.
Aim and shoot does work sometimes even at a long distance 😃
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Definitely always worth a long shot!! The temperatures are falling but not too low yet. (We even went for a swim today!)
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I think Small Copper was the culprit also.
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Indeed but, as you will no doubt appreciate, it’s hard to disagree with your wife! Though I’m a firm believer in seeing is believing, 😊
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How warm was the sea when you were out swimming?
The sea at the nearest beach is 15 C at the moment.
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I’m not sure. It was certainly cooler than of late, but bearable. There will be a point, no doubt very soon, when I’ll be watching from the relative warmth of the beach!
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If you do, remember a warm hat. That does the trick. Not that I’ve tried myself
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Yes, so I’ve heard. In the winter my wife wears neoprene gloves and socks. But I think I’ll pass.
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Winter bathing is a big hit in Denmark. People love the endorphins. Socks and gloves sounds clever!!
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Yes it’s popular here too. Not for me though! Brrrr!
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This is indeed the Scarce Copper (Lycaena virgaureae) – a beautiful butterfly. between 2009 and 2018 we had some in Belgium. The last twoo years there were no registrations.
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Thanks Rudi. I presume you were referring to the first photo (which is one I took in Switzerland). The other (last one) I’m pretty sure is a Small Copper which is widespread across north western Europe.
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Yes indeed Mike (forgot to mention, sorry)
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😀👍
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I really battle to take decent photographs of butterflies so am impressed with your ones you have shown here.
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Thank you Anne. They are devilishly difficult sometimes, but occasionally they stay still long enough to get a decent photo. Creeping up on them slowly is the key I think!
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