Small Coppers Surveyed at New Ferry Butterfly Park

Small copper at the Butterfly Park

At the conclusion of the transect recording season for 2026, Yan and Charles had recorded a total of 41 Small Copper butterflies at New Ferry Butterfly Park, marking the highest count achieved to date. While favourable weather conditions undoubtedly contributed to this abundance, population success is also highly dependent on the availability of larval host plants. 

Sorrels - specifically Sheep’s Sorrel, Common Sorrel, and occasionally Broad-leaved Dock -serve as the primary food sources for Small Copper caterpillars.

Female Small Copper butterflies lay their eggs on the upper surface of leaves. Upon hatching, the larvae consume the foliage before moving in search of more food plants until they are ready to pupate. 

Over the past decade, Paul Loughnane has grown approximately 200 Sheep’s Sorrel plants, which have been planted by volunteers at the Park to support the Small Copper population.

Sheep’s Sorrel thrives in nutrient-poor, well-drained acidic soil. As a historic coal goods siding, the Park benefits from extensive ground patches featuring a thick layer of coal beneath the turf. 

Recently, more sorrels were planted after removing turf and loosening the underlying coal-soil substrate. Protective signage will be installed to mitigate foot traffic across the patch, ensuring that the Small Copper butterfly population continues to thrive at the Butterfly Park.

Sorrel planted at the park