Species profile
About this species
The Scarce Heath is a small, delicate butterfly belonging to the family Nymphalidae, found across parts of northern & central Europe. It has warm orange-brown upperwings with a row of eyespots on the underside of the hindwing, edged with white. It is considered rare & declining across much of its range due to habitat loss & changes in land management.
Open woodland rides, scrubby grassland, & damp meadows with tall grasses, typically in areas with a mosaic of light & shade in northern & central Europe
Where to photograph
Where our trips feature this species
You can photograph Scarce Heath with us in Bulgaria.
These departures are part of our Europe programme.
In the field, Pui Hang Miles helps guests make the most of these encounters.
Field notes
Photography notes
Late May to early July during peak flight season, with calm & sunny mornings between 9am & 11am being ideal when butterflies are warming up but not yet at full activity
Approach slowly & from a low angle to capture the distinctive eyespot patterning on the underwing, as the butterfly often rests with wings closed. Early morning when temperatures are cool offers the best opportunity as individuals are less active & easier to approach. Use a macro lens or extension tubes to fill the frame with detail whilst maintaining a shallow depth of field to isolate the subject from the background.
Available holidays
Trips featuring Scarce Heath
The holidays below are pulled from the same species relationship, so the guide stays tied to live departures rather than becoming a static article.