Terug van weggeweest in het Drongengoed: het Hooibeestje

The Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus) used to be a common butterfly in the Netherlands and Flanders. There was a sharp decline in numbers in the early 90s and in some areas the species even disappeared completely. Recently the Small Heath is increasing, in some areas faster than others. The disappearance of the butterfly in the Drongen-goed (Eastern Flanders) was most probably a result of the cold, wet spring of 1991. The warm summers of 1995, 1996 and 1997 led to a recovery of the Small Heath and a modest recolonization in the Drongengoed. Climatic conditions clearly have an important effect on the numbers of this butterfly.