Coenonympha pamphilus
In 3 days ~50% in a week ~80%
The small heath (Coenonympha pamphilus) is a butterfly species belonging to the family Nymphalidae, classified within the subfamily Satyrinae (commonly known as "the browns"). It is the smallest butterfly in this subfamily. The small heath is diurnal and flies with a noticeable fluttering flight pattern near the ground. It rests with closed wings when not in flight. It is widespread in colonies throughout the grasslands of Eurasia and north-western Africa, preferring drier habitats than other Coenonympha, such as salt marshes, alpine meadows, wetlands, and grasslands near water (i.e. streams). However, habitat loss caused by human activities has led to a decline in populations in some locations.
The larval host plants are grasses, found in various habitats, while adult butterflies feed on nectar from flowers. The males of this species are territorial, which plays a large role in obtaining a female mate. To establish dominance, they partake in lekking, a mating display in which males aggregate in a competitive display to attract passing females.
The small heath is one of 40 species classified within the genus Coenonympha and placed in the family Nymphalidae. It belongs... Wikipedia →
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kiskunság National Park | 🇭🇺 Hungary | |
| 2 | Monfragüe National Park | 🇪🇸 Spain | |
| 3 | Aigüestortes National Park | 🇪🇸 Spain | |
| 4 | Biebrza National Park | 🇵🇱 Poland | |
| 5 | Cévennes National Park | 🇫🇷 France | |
| 6 | Pyrénées National Park | 🇫🇷 France | |
| 7 | Triglav National Park | 🇸🇮 Slovenia | |
| 8 | Fertő-Hanság National Park | 🇭🇺 Hungary | |
| 9 | Hortobágy National Park | 🇭🇺 Hungary | |
| 10 | Białowieża National Park | 🇵🇱 Poland | |
| 11 | Bavarian Forest National Park | 🇩🇪 Germany | |
| 12 | Vanoise National Park | 🇫🇷 France | |
| 13 | Mercantour National Park | 🇫🇷 France | |
| 14 | Snowdonia National Park | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | |
| 15 | Picos de Europa National Park | 🇪🇸 Spain | |
| 16 | Cairngorms National Park | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | |
| 17 | Ecrins National Park | 🇫🇷 France | |
| 18 | Plitvice Lakes National Park | 🇭🇷 Croatia | |
| 19 | Sierra de Guadarrama National Park | 🇪🇸 Spain | |
| 20 | Wadden Sea National Park | 🇩🇪 Germany | |
| 21 | Sierra Nevada National Park | 🇪🇸 Spain | |
| 22 | Camargue | 🇫🇷 France |
| # | City | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prague | 🇨🇿 Czechia | |
| 2 | Milan | 🇮🇹 Italy | |
| 3 | Warsaw | 🇵🇱 Poland | |
| 4 | London | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | |
| 5 | Berlin | 🇩🇪 Germany | |
| 6 | Novosibirsk | 🇷🇺 Russia | |
| 7 | Vienna | 🇦🇹 Austria | |
| 8 | Kharkiv | 🇺🇦 Ukraine | |
| 9 | Birmingham | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | |
| 10 | Budapest | 🇭🇺 Hungary |
Possible
About 20% of wildlife watchers report a Small Heath sighting in Milan on a given day, based on 140 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data. It is the 23rd most-seen of the 351 insects we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 50%, and over a week to about 80%, if each day is a fresh chance.
May
In that month about 40% of wildlife watchers report a Small Heath in Milan on a given day, against under 5% in November to March, the lowest months.
Between 11 am and 2 pm
Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most Small Heath sightings with a recorded time, and about 9 in 10 of them come between 6 am and 6 pm: it is a daytime animal.
Among the best
Of the 30 cities where we can rate Small Heath sightings, Milan ranks 2nd at about 20%, level with the leaders once rounded. The best odds are in Prague (Czechia, about 20%).
Same family: Nymphalidae
The closest relatives of the Small Heath that you can see in Milan (family Nymphalidae, Brush-footed Butterflies) are Red Admiral (about 30%), European Comma (about 20%) and Painted Lady (about 20%), with each one's daily chance of a sighting.
GBIF citizen-science records
It is estimated from how often the Small Heath is recorded against all the insects logged in Milan (140 verified sightings), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.
