CFB

[David M]

I'm surprised to hear this, Roger. Is the season particularly 'behind' in SE France at the moment?

Colin, love all your sightings, but the fresh Baton Blue stands out. A lovely specimen.

[CFB]

Roger, the one and only Large Tortoiseshell I've seen this year was on March 11, and I'll consider myself very lucky if I see a Camberwell Beauty. I agree with you concerning the strange weather. There also seems to have been more wind lately, which doesn't help.

David, thanks for your comments.
--
Colin

[CFB]

Not many butterflies flying today even though it's sunny with no clouds anywhere. I suppose it's due to a cool breeze.

I saw two Spanish Festoons, including this very new-looking specimen,

several Glanville Fritillaries and Wall Browns, a few Berger's Clouded Yellows, one Southern White Admiral, one Adonis Blue, some Small Heaths and one female Orange-tip.
--
Colin

[CFB]

Once again not much activity this morning except for this Burnet moth. My best guess is that it is a Zygaena lavandulae, also known as Broom Burnet or White Collared Burnet.

There was a Glanville Fritillary that allowed me to get quite close.

Otherwise there were Wall Browns, Small Heaths and not much else.
--
Colin

[CFB]

Yesterday I encountered my first Red-underwing Skipper (?)

and Marsh Fritillary of the year.

I also saw a Grizzled Skipper, a couple of Spanish Festoons, a Southern Small White and a few Glanville Fritillaries.

Today I saw a Grizzled Skipper (?),

a Painted Lady,

some Glanville Fritillaries, Wall Browns and Speckled Woods.
--
Colin

[CFB]

This morning in the Parc de la Brague I saw three or four Southern White Admirals,

a great number of Provence Chalkhill Blues, including this couple,

one or two Pearly Heaths, the first of the year,

two Large Whites,

and one Scarce Swallowtail.

Also Meadow Browns, Glanville Fritillaries, Clouded Yellows, Wall Browns and Speckled Woods.
--
Colin

[Chris Jackson]

Hi Colin,
A nice array of seasonal photos.
Thanks for the head-up on the Pearly Heaths, I hope I'll see my first round here very soon.
Chris

[CFB]

This morning along the Piste du Collet des Espéres I saw two first-of-the-year Fritillaries, a Knapweed Fritillary

and a Spotted Fritillary.

Once again there were numerous Provence Chalkhill Blues, including this mating couple.

Two or three Southern White Admirals, including this unusual under-side shot.

A few Berger's Clouded Yellows, Adonis Blues and Small Heaths, and many Glanville Fritillaries.
--
Colin

[David M]

That Spotted Fritillary looks highly unusual, Colin.

Do you see many with such bold forewing spots?

[Chris Jackson]

That Spotted Fritillary looks highly unusual ...

That's what struck me too. I've never seen markings like that, could this be described as aberrant?
Chris

[CFB]

Chris, David,

I agree that it looks a bit unusual. I found two similar ones in my "library", the second one in the process of being devoured .

--
Colin

[CFB]

Some photos taken during the last few days.

Southern White Admiral:

Pearly Heath:

Knapweed Fritillary:

Mating Provence Chalkhill Blues:

Another couple of Provence Chalkhill Blues:

Also seen: a male Cleopatra and a Scarce Swallowtail in the garden, one Small Skipper, Small Whites, Meadow Browns, Adonis Blues and one male Brimstone.
--
Colin

[CFB]

Yesterday there was a Green-veined White amongst the white Lobelias in the garden.

The only sightings of note this morning in the Parc de la Brague were the first Blue-spot Hairstreaks of the year.

Provence Chalkhill Blues were the most numerous, followed by Adonis Blues.
--
Colin

[CFB]

A couple of photos from the sunny south of France.

A male Provence Chalkhill Blue from yesterday,

and a Marbled White from this morning, the first of the year.

--
Colin

[David M]

Beautiful Marbled White, Colin....or should that be 'Marbled Black'?

[CFB]

Thanks David. A pity about the leaf covering a bit of the starboard wing though.
--
Colin

[Chris Jackson]

A nice shot of the Marbled White, Colin.
I hope this means I'll also get my first yearly sighting soon.
Chris

[David M]

A nice shot of the Marbled White, Colin.
I hope this means I'll also get my first yearly sighting soon.
Chris

Surely any time now, Chris. Two fresh individuals were seen by us in the Pyrenees last week so they are definitely 'on the cusp'.

[CFB]

A nice shot of the Marbled White

Thanks Chris.

This morning I saw my first Two-tailed Pasha of the year. Alas, no photo.
--
Colin

[CFB]

The heat and the wind are presumably the reason for there being few butterflies in flight in my part of the world.

A male Adonis Blue a couple of days ago on some dried up mud.

A False Ilex Hairstreak, the first of the year, was on a Helichrysum stoechas plant in the garden for perhaps half an hour this morning.

This afternoon I saw many Cleopatras, both male and female, but no photos.
--
Colin