Greenwings: Eastern French Pyrenees, 20th - 30th May 2019

[David M]

It's always a real late spring pleasure to get away and visit this beautiful area of southern France at this time of year, and in spite of one and a half days of cloudy, damp weather, the fact that 81 species of butterfly were recorded demonstrates how rich this region is for lepidoptera.

Of course, the scenery and habitat are magnificent too, and it sure helps to wake up to this view of Mt. Canigou (2,784m) from the hotel breakfast room:

[David M]

I was fortunate enough to enjoy 3 days exploring the area independently before the arrival of the group on 23rd May, and took in as much of the varying types of habitat as was possible.

This site is the closest to the coast, with typical dry, scrubby, mediterranean terrain:

Similar in nature is this quarry, about 20km north west, where many of the dry habitat species can be easily found:

[David M]

Further inland are a selection of tracks between 900m and 1,300m altitude, meaning that a sizeable range of species can be encountered just by stopping at various locations en route.

[David M]

Every now and again, one comes upon a pristine meadow at altitude. These are usually the richest sites:

Even roadside locations, particularly those with streams nearby, can produce impressive results:

Then there are fast flowing rapids, surrounded by deciduous trees in sheltered spots. These are the best places to look for Camberwell Beauties:

[essexbuzzard]

Looking foreword to finding out what you have seen. That’s certainly an impressive list for a late-spring holiday...

[David M]

Looking foreword to finding out what you have seen. That’s certainly an impressive list for a late-spring holiday...

Yes, Mark, it's a good spot in Europe for late spring butterflies. The range of habitats ensures a tally higher than one might anticipate almost anywhere else.

[David M]

A 45 minute drive west takes you onto the high montane plateau. At 1500m+ this is rather like travelling back in time to early April, with wild daffodils in flower and the leaves on the trees still not fully unfurled.

[David M]

Papilionidae

There were 5 members of this group to see, and thankfully we encountered all of them.

Last year, only 2 Apollos were sighted, but this year saw two dozen or more:

[David M]

Clouded Apollo is rather more frequent in this region, preferring slightly lower altitudes:

Spanish Festoon can be found in small numbers almost anywhere:

[David M]

The two species of Swallowtails cropped up randomly, but were reliable around hilltops. This Iberian Scarce Swallowtail was glued to the cistus at one site:

It's easy to ignore gorganus when so much is going on around you. This one is more a 'swallow' than a swallowtail:

[David M]

1. Apollo
2. Clouded Apollo
3. Spanish Festoon
4. Iberian Scarce Swallowtail
5. Swallowtail

[Katrina]

Interesting to see the different species you are seeing on your trip, some impressive butterflies.

[essexbuzzard]

I have a fair idea what might be flying there, given that range of heights you have covered. But I recon, just maybe, there might be one or two surprises...

[Chris Jackson]

Impressive scenery, David, and a nice selection of Papilionidae.
I'm glad you got mostly good weather - it can be unpredictable in Spring.
Chris

[David M]

Thanks, all. Yes, Chris, the weather is very unpredictable in this region in late May. The early days were excellent but the first Friday was a washout and it didn't brighten up till Saturday afternoon. What's more, at lower altitudes it was blowing a gale throughout!

Strangely, it was calmer and warmer up on the peaks, meaning that we could still get decent returns.

That said, there has clearly been cold weather at altitude as the season was just as late as last year, which I thought impossible due to the absence this year of a Siberian high pressure system in early spring.

Of course, now I'm home, the region is in the throes of a heatwave, although that too can take its toll on both butterflies and humans alike!

[David M]

Pieridae

A good range of this family, although numbers weren't particularly spectacular.

One species that built in numbers towards the end of the trip was Black Veined White:

Cleopatras withered on the vine by the latter end of the visit, although Brimstones were still about. Both Clouded and Berger's Clouded Yellows were around regularly, but Large, Small and Green Veined Whites were scarce.

Two Southern Small Whites were positively identified and every now and then a Bath White would turn up.

Orange Tips and Wood Whites were probably the commonest in this group, with dozens of both seen.

[David M]

Provence Orange Tip

This is the most interesting Pierid in this region, and it's a particular delight when you see them skirmishing with cardamines.

They are notoriously hard to approach, alighting only infrequently, and almost always on the foodplant, Buckler's Mustard:

It's often a good idea simply to wait near a patch of this plant, which is what happened here, during a cloudy spell one late afternoon. Only when the second one settled did we realise there was another male already occupying the flowerhead. They are extremely well camouflaged when at rest:

Just like our own Orange Tips, females are harder to find, but are much more approachable:

[David M]

6. Orange Tip
7. Provence Orange Tip
8. Black Veined White
9. Clouded Yellow
10. Berger's Clouded Yellow
11. Cleopatra
12. Brimstone
13. Wood White
14. Large White
15. Small White
16. Green Veined White
17. Southern Small White
18. Bath White

[David M]

Hesperiidae

Not a lot going on in this group. I think I can count the pyrgus genus in very low double figures; 1 Safflower Skipper, 2 Oberthur's, 2 Large Grizzled, half a dozen Southern Grizzled Skippers, one possible accretus and a couple of Olive Skippers:

A handful of Lulworth Skippers were seen at the drier sites, and only Red Underwing Skipper could be considered relatively numerous.

Compensation was earned, however, during an afternoon's trip into the Aude, where three or four Chequered Skippers were seen. This one was doing something I've never observed before - taking minerals from a damp rock face:

[David M]

19. Tufted Marbled Skipper
20. Chequered Skipper
21. Dingy Skipper
22. Large Skipper
23. Oberthur's Grizzled Skipper
24. Large Grizzled Skipper
25. Southern Grizzled Skipper
26. Safflower Skipper
27. Olive Skipper
28. Red Underwing Skipper
29. Lulworth Skipper