Small Heath ?

[Ollie]

Hi all, could anyone please confirm that this is a Small Heath butterfly. It's either a Small Heath or Meadow Brown, but I think Small Heath.
If it is, it's a first for me.
Many thanks
Roger

[Adam Cheeseman]

Yep, Small Heath.

Cheers,

Adam

[Ollie]

Originally Posted by Adam Cheeseman

Yep, Small Heath.

Cheers,

Adam

Many thanks Adam, that's great.
Roger

[wildlifesnapper]

Hi ,

yeah,Small Heath and a cracking shot!!

neil

[glsammy]

You've managed to get a good one Roger! Well done!

[Steve H]

A fine shot of a small heath!..

[eccles]

Apart from the comparitive sizes of both butterflies you can tell them apart by looking at the underwing. MB has black dots on the lower underwing whereas SH does not. SH always rests with wings closed, usually angled towards the sun and tilted back so that it presents the best angle to catch the sun. MB frequently basks open winged. When disturbed, MB dives into long grass but SH will just fly away then settle again in the open.
Gatekeepers are also confused with MB, but again, look at the lower underwing. Where MB has black dots, G has white dots.

[jennyb]

Originally Posted by eccles

Apart from the comparitive sizes of both butterflies you can tell them apart by looking at the underwing. MB has black dots on the lower underwing whereas SH does not. SH always rests with wings closed, usually angled towards the sun and tilted back so that it presents the best angle to catch the sun. MB frequently basks open winged. When disturbed, MB dives into long grass but SH will just fly away then settle again in the open.
Gatekeepers are also confused with MB, but again, look at the lower underwing. Where MB has black dots, G has white dots.

That is a great description. Thank you. I have seen lots of them in my garden this morning. They are all over the place. From your description I think I can assume they are SH. Now all I need to do is get one to stay still long enough for a photo!

Yours is a great photo, Roger.

Jenny

[Ollie]

Thanks everyone for the ID of this and the nice comments on the photo.

eccles, your information on the habits of the Small Heath compared to Meadow Brown and the markings I found very usefull. Excellent information for someone like me who is not that well up on butterflies.
Thanks
Roger