In Cornwall’s late summer, the Small Copper butterfly and bell heather meet in perfect seasonal harmony. On purple heathland banks, these copper-winged jewels feed, bask, and breed, sustained by the nectar of Erica cinerea — a fleeting yet vital rhythm in the county’s wild tapestry.
On Cornwall’s heathlands in August, the landscape hums with life. The air is warm, bright, and edged with the faint honey scent of heather. Beneath a sky washed clean by Atlantic winds, the banks of bell heather (Erica cinerea) are in full bloom, their purple carpets spilling down over rocky slopes and cliff edges. It is here, in these sunny, open places, that a flash of copper catches the eye — the Small Copper butterfly (Lycaena phlaeas), its wings glinting like a fleck of fire in the late-summer light.
Small in size but striking in colour, the Small Copper spans no more than 35 millimetres from wingtip to wingtip. The upper wings are a vivid copper-orange framed in dark chocolate brown, punctuated by neat black spots. Males are fiercely territorial, perching on bare earth or low stems, darting up to challenge rivals, then dropping back into the sun to bask. In Cornwall, they can be found from late May, but by August they are at their most abundant, the latest broods emerging just as the heather opens.
This timing is no accident. Bell heather’s flowering season (July to September) overlaps almost perfectly with the butterfly’s summer and early autumn flight period. In August, when the heather is at its richest, Small Coppers are drawn to it in numbers. They pause to feed on the tightly clustered purple bells, probing each flower for nectar before lifting away to another clump. This late-summer resource fuels the energy they need for mating, egg-laying, and surviving into the cooler days of September.
Bell heather’s prolonged flowering and resilience are especially valuable during dry late summers, when many other nectar plants fade early. Even in parched conditions, it continues to offer rich nectar, perfectly complementing the Small Copper’s later broods.
Cornwall’s heathlands, particularly on the Lizard Peninsula, Bodmin Moor, and the coastal headlands, provide ideal conditions. Notable reserves such as Predannack Downs, Goss Moor, and Kynance Downs protect some of the finest examples, with dry, acidic soils supporting not only bell heather but also gorse and native grasses. Here, butterflies find both the nectar they need as adults and the larval foodplants — common sorrel (Rumex acetosa) and sheep’s sorrel (Rumex acetosella) — required for the next generation.
For the Small Copper, heathland and dry grassland are perfect. These habitats are open, sunlit, and often dotted with bare patches of soil where butterflies can warm themselves before flight. The mix of short turf, wildflowers, and low shrubs offers basking spots, shelter from wind, and vantage points for watchful males. With fewer tall plants to cast deep shade, the warmth lingers, even into the late afternoon.
Here, nectar comes not only from heather but also from fleabane, ragwort, yarrow, and thistles. Such diversity ensures the butterflies have food before, during, and after the heather’s peak bloom — a crucial safeguard in a climate that can shift quickly from sunshine to mist.
This delicate seasonal synchrony faces challenges. Climate change is already influencing both butterfly and heather life cycles in Cornwall. Warmer springs could bring earlier heather blooms, potentially out of step with peak butterfly emergence. Milder autumns might extend the flight season, allowing more broods, yet sudden storms or droughts could limit nectar availability.
Heathland itself is a vulnerable habitat, threatened by scrub encroachment, invasive plants, and changes in land use. While bell heather is resilient, prolonged drought, wildfire, or nutrient run-off can weaken it, reducing the nectar supply that late-summer butterflies rely on.
Although bell heather is a cornerstone species for the Small Copper in August, it is not the only plant that sustains them. Fleabane brightens damp meadows, ragwort gleams gold along field edges, and yarrow laces grassy banks with white. Dandelions, bird’s-foot trefoil, hawkbits, and thistles also play their part. Together, they weave a web of resources that keeps the butterfly’s cycle intact from spring to autumn.
The caterpillars, meanwhile, are entirely dependent on sorrels. Without these low, often overlooked plants, the butterfly’s flame would go out. Conservation of both larval and adult foodplants is essential for its survival.
Picture a headland path in August. To your left, the ground falls steeply to a restless, sparkling sea. To your right, a sweep of heath rises in a purple tide, flecked with gold gorse and pale grass. The air is alive with the sound of bees, the distant cry of gulls, and, if you pause long enough, the flicker of a Small Copper settling to feed. It turns in the light, wings spread wide, the sun igniting the copper in its name. For a few seconds it holds still, a living ember against the purple, before vanishing into the summer air.
In that moment lies the essence of Cornwall’s heathlands — a place where plant and insect, season and sunlight, have found their perfect rhythm. It is a partnership that has shaped the landscape for centuries, and one that, with care, can endure far into the future.
Where to see Small Copper butterflies and blooming bell heather in Cornwall
Best Time
Late July through August (on fine, warm days) when bell heather is in full flower and Small Copper broods are at their peak. Early mornings are calm for photography, while midday warmth brings the most butterfly activity.
Top Heathland Reserves
What to Look For
Walking Notes
Paths can be uneven, sandy, or boggy depending on the site. Wear sturdy shoes, carry water, and take care on clifftops. Dogs should be kept to paths to protect ground-nesting wildlife.
