1st -9th Jan Mostly cool, a some heavy rain (snow levels not lower than
about 1800m through), some sunny days with the sun feeling surprisingly
warm.
10th-31st Jan A short
colder spell dominated by the stratus typical of the plateau gave way to
mostly sunny days and cold nights. Occasional precipitation has left
plenty of snow at higher levels, but very little lower down.
FEBRUARY
Almost none of the dull stratus dominated weather
that is normal for winter on the plateau. After some snow
early in the month the weather has been dominated by stable high pressure.
A week in the UK was similar, with temperatures reaching 15C after cold
nights. Surprising not to have seen a butterfly or two. Finally my first
butterfly of the year in the outskirts of Lausanne on the 23rd. The
Brimstone,
Gonepteryx rhamni. The last week of February turned wet but stayed
very warm, with night time temperatures rarely dipping to +5°C.
March
2nd March
After cloud cleared just before lunchtime a blue sky and strong sun
blessed the afternoon. Down in Valais I checked my site for the subspecies
calliopsis of the Idas Blue, L. idas calliopsis. On the buds
of its foodplant Sea Buchthorn I found dozens of tiny Lycaenid
caterpillars - mostly green but some pinkish buff individuals too. Clearly
they had just hatched and I could find no eggs on the branches. A little
later on I met up with Guy Padfield and he took me to a spot where he had
found exceptionally early flying Grizzled Skippers, Pyrgus malvae.
Straight away we found 2 or 3 resting on the presumed foodplant Sulphur
Cinquefoil, Potentilla recta. Also flying were many very worn Small
Tortoiseshells, Aglais urticae, and dozens of Queen of Spain
Fritillaries, Issoria lathonia. The Large Tortoiseshell,
Nymphalis polychloros put on a good show with between 15 and 20
butterflies found during the afternoon. In all Guy and I found 10 species
on the wing during the afternoon - a tremendous number considering the
early date of our visit.
15th March
High temperatures but a veiled sun meant few butterflies today. I
travelled further east in Valais than normal at this time of year and was
disappointed about the numbers and variety of butterflies found, but that
may have been due to the thin cloud layer despite temperatures reaching an
impressive 19°C.
21st-24th
March, Easter. We headed south to the coast of Var, France. During our
overnight stop in Grenoble, the snow fell and the journey south was
pretty, white, cloudy and cold. Appoaching the coast however the sun was
out and temperatures reached a surprising 12°C. The Mistral was blowing at
around 100 kph. Saturday was very sunny but the winds took the edge off
the temperatures. That didn't stop a few butterflies spreading their wings
in sheltered spots and Baton Blue, Pseudophilotes baton, and Large
Tortoiseshell, Nymphalis polychloros, made their appearance. Sunday
was a magnificent day of burning blue skies and crucially no wind. A walk
into the maquis covered hills after breakfast yielded a dozen species
including an early Chapman's Green Hairstreak, Callophrys avis
amongst dozens of Green Hairstreaks, C. rubi. Other special
southern species were Western Dappled White, Euchloe crameri, and
Southern Small White, Artogeia mannii but it was too early for the
Provence Hairstreak, Tomares ballus, at my favourite site a little
inland and thus much cooler than at the coast.
April
5th/ 6th April
A visit to Lyon in nice warm sunny weather didn't produce any Geranium
Bronze, Cacyreus marshalli even though they were common here last
autumn. There were just a couple of whites flying at the roadside.
13th-15th April
Another visit to the coast of Var, France. Once again we left dreadful
weather back home. This area of France was the only one in western Europe
with any sun at all if the TV weather channels were to be believed. But
the Mistral was blowing again but only seemed to have a serious effect at
the coast. Despite this it was mostly warm with afternoon temperatures
reaching 20°C. Meeting up with Tim and Roger we managed to confirm the
presence of the Portuguese Dappled White, Euchloe tagis, in low
numbers at a sensitive site where I found a single individual last year.
At other sites we found lovely fresh Southern Festoons, Zerynthia
polyxena, Provence Orange Tips, Anthocharis euphenoides and
plenty of old ex-hibernation Large Tortoiseshells, Nymphalis
polychloros. But in general numbers of butterflies were very
low, an observation common with Tim and Roger.
Despite the wind on the 15th I managed a single female Provence
Hairstreak, Tomares ballus, looking tired and worn near the coast. Very
surprisingly, further inland and at much higher altitude we found the wind
had dripped to a light breeze and it was actually quite warm in the bright
sunshine. The season was delayed compared to the coast, in fact the season
had barely started here. But we managed to see 3 Spring Ringlets,
Erebia epistygne, at last one of them was very fresh.
20th April A hot morning before unsettled weather returned. We
visited the Valais to our favourite spots and found the Chequered Blue,
Scolintantides orion - early in the season, but it was already
reported from here a week ago. In general however, there were few
butterflies around and the season was only just starting in many places.
27th
April What?! Two
consecutive days of warm sunny weather? The trees have gone green
overnight. Too much to resist, I went to the Valais with Guy Padfield and
Asha to check on the status of the butterfly season. We found an
impressive 32 species, so 2008 is an early season despite the generally
cool conditions of April. Infact things are fairly similar to the
exceptionally early 2007 and unlike all previous years I've been in the (2003
to 2006) where half a dozen species would be considered a good species
count in these
locations. However, numbers of insects was generally low with only one
site being "busy" with butterflies. The generally low abundance could be attributed to a dry 2007
summer or the rather dull cool conditions so far in 2008.
The Rosy Grizzled
Skipper (Pyrgus onopordi) is early on
the wing and so it was not a surprise that on my earliest visit to their
site they were in some numbers and mostly fresh. It was very difficult to
photograph the underside but all the undersides we saw had the anvil mark
with shaded edges that characterises this species. This mark can appear in
about 5% of Obethur's Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus armoricanus) but I am
sure that 100% is not only statistically significant but also highly
indicative of the absence of the latter species. No Grizzled Skippers (Pyrgus
malvae)
amongst our Rosies and still too early for the Safflower Skipper (Pyrgus
carthami). Another natural
highlight was an Aesculapian Snake, Elaphe longissima, on a track in open woodland beside a
stream.
Great to see 8 species of
blue during the day too: Provence Short Tailed, Baton, Common, Chapman's,
Adonis, Osiris, Green Underside and Holly (Everes alcetas,
Pseudophilotes baton, Polyommatus icarus, Agrodiaetus therites, Lysandra
bellargus, Cupido osiris, Glaucopsyche alexis and Celastrina
argiolus). We found the year's first Small
Coppers, Lycaena phlaeas, and a single immaculate Glanville Fritillary,
Melitaea cinxia.
Of the hibernators, we found
a couple of Queen of Spain Frits, Issoria lathonia, an old Camberwell Beauty,
Nymphalis anitopa, a few Small
Tortoiseshells, Aglais urticae, Peacocks, Inachis io, and plenty of Commas,
Polygonia c-album, in good condition and a
single Brimstone, Gonepteryx rhamni, but no Large Tortoiseshells,
Nymphalis polychloros. The latter were common very early
in the season. I think this shows that the hibernating species do not all
emerge together and that the use different environmental queues or
requirements.
May
4th May 2008 A couple of hours to spare in the Valais.
The weather is fantastic at the moment with bright sunshine and
temperatures approaching the mid 20s. Still, not so much on the wing
although the number of species remains high. First for the year today were
Mountain Dappled White, Euchloe simplonia, Duke of Burgundy
Fritillary, Hamearis lucina, Safflower Skipper, Pyrgus carthami
and Sooty Copper, Lycaena tityrus. Only the first two bushes of
Bladder Senna were showing a couple of flowers so still way too early for
Iolas Blue, Iolana iolas, which was flying this time last year. It
seems that the season may be becoming more "normal", whatever that is.
7th May 2008 A lunch time trip onto the plateau in bright sunshine
produced 3 spring generation Maps, Araschnia levana. Beautiful
butterflies. Frustratingly though, all 3 were in my meadow together for
about 1 minute and I didn't see any of them again during the following 45
minutes.
11th May 2008 It was a very early departure for the flight to Malaga,
S Spain. But it was worth it as we all held up well and we were in the
hire car and on the road by 11am. It had clearly rained heavily during the
night but the coast was sunny and drying quickly, something that couldn't
be said for the mountains just inland. We stopped at a gully near
Torremolinos but just missed the sun. It was very flowery. I was pleased
to get the perfect start with a couple of African Grass Blues (Zizeeria
knysna) and a perfect Southern Gatekeeper (Pyronia cecilia).
Further along the coast we stopped at a dry riverbed and had the pleasure
to see the spectacular Monarch (Danaus plexippus) in large numbers.
Flying amongst the hundreds of individuals were three Plain Tigers (Danaus
chrysippus) so the perfect start continued. I found a single Monarch
larva feeding on a Scarlet Milkweed, Asclepias_curassavica, a plant that is
very similar in colouration and size to the widespread Lantana and also
has very similar flower clusters. The leaves are more slender and shiny,
compared to the broader, longer, matt leaves of Lantana. I
have no idea if the Monarch takes the commoner species of Lantana too as a
larval food plant. Also flying here was the Geranium Bronze (Cacyreus
marshalli) so this place was home to the three main "invaders" into
Europe from the Americas and tropical Africa.
That night at the hotel in Estapona I was amazed to see a Monarch floating
around the pool looking for a place to roost in the palm trees outside our
bedroom window.
12th May 2008 A trip to Gibraltar to enjoy a bit of Englishness in
the Med. It was hot and sunny in the town where we found a dozen Two
Tailed Pashas (Charaxes jasius) patrolling and fighting in the
botanical gardens. A trip up the cable car gave great views of Morocco and
neighbouring Spain but it was a good 10 °C cooler, very windy and cloudy.
No butterflies but we had some "fun" with the Barbary Apes as they
attacked Louis's pram for the plastic bags it contained - the Apes
associate food with plastic bags so under this uncomfortable attack we
only stayed about 15 minutes before descending to warmer levels.
13th May 2008 A day out in the hills near Ronda. It was a glorious
day, with just a few clouds on the highest mountains of the region. My
first find was the rare and local Aetherie's Fritillary (Melitaea
aetherie). The first example that I found was an old individual so I
worried that I had missed the flight season. I needn't have concerned
myself as 30 minutes later I found about a dozen more and all of these
butterflies were freshly emerged. Their glowing orange forms could be seen
over the grassy meadows at quite a distance, but waiting for them to
settle required patience and very frequently the insects would disappear
over the well maintained and solid fences that prevented access to most of
the countryside around here - just as well too as many of the fields
contained horses or, worse, bulls. Good numbers of the beautiful Spanish
Marbled White (Melanargia ines) made the site a pleasure to
butterfly in.
Then I moved up towards the mountain pass. In a lovely region the grey of
the limestone bedrock emerges near the top of the higher mountains. This
provides great, and largely untouched, habitat for nature. Being at this
higher level the sun was hidden by one of the few clouds in the sky while
just a few kms distant the sun was shining strongly. At about 16:00 the
standing cloud suddenly dispersed presumably due to the weakening
insolation. In one place I found a strong colony of Lorquin's Blue (Cupido
lorquinii). They were passed their best but at least one pair of
butterflies was found in copula. Also flying were and several very fresh
Spanish and Knapweed Fritillaries (Euphydryas desfontainii and
Melitaea phoebe). The latter species is superficially similar to this
morning's Aetherie's but it is much more heavily marked with black,
particularly on the upperside hindwings.
15th May 2008 A day out to Ronda in dull overcast but humid and hot
conditions. On the way back we bumped into a strong colony of Black Veined
Whites (Aporia crataegi) on a mountain pass and a surprise Rock
Grayling (Hipparchia alycone) at a very dry area above Estepona.
16th May 2008 We travelled east to the desert regions of SE Spain
around Almeria. In the low areas around the city and for some 60km or so
to the north the viciously thorny bush Ziziphus lotus (Jujube bush)
can be found on which the larvae of the Common Tiger Blue (Tarucus
theophrastus) feed. The bushes form large utterly impenetrable
thickets. They can be noticed from a distance by their particularly green
leaves (unlike the other desert plants in this area). I pulled over near a
group of such plants and immediately found the butterfly. It was skulking
around the edges of the bushes and occasionally settling on the leaves and
much more often on the bare sandy ground. I estimate there to be about two
dozen flying low in the strong breeze but numbers were difficult to assess
due to the very small size of the butterfly and their rapid, low darting
flight. Great butterfly! Also here were Southern Marbled Skippers (Carcharodus
boeticus) at a surprisingly low altitude for this species.
17th May 2008 I spent the day up a mountain in the dark cold
conditions willing the strong hot sun to raise itself from the planes just
a few kms distant and illuminate my sites for the Carswell's Little Blue (Cupido
carswelli) - it was not to be and I left having found just 6
butterflies all day.
19th May 2008 Until 2.30pm I sat in the car to escape the wind and
low temperatures below the streaming dark clouds I could almost reach up
and touch. Luckily I had brought a book to read. Then, as I had hoped, the sun suddenly broke through and the
temperatures shot up to 17°C. In sheltered areas some butterflies could be
found such as the Western Marbled White (Melanargia occitanica) and
a couple of Panoptes Blues (Pseudophilotes panoptes). I failed
however to find my main interest, the Iberian Greenish Black Tip (Elphinstonia
or Euchloe (charlonia) bazae) in its second
generation. The commonest butterfly was the Long Tailed Blue (Lampides
boeticus), a little surprising in this very dry sand hill environment.
24th May 2008 Back on home turf it was a dull and breezy day in the
Valais when I met up with Guy and Peter Bygate. First on the list were a
number of fresh Iolas Blues (Iolana iolas) zooming around their
Bladder Senna food plant apparently searching for females. Further on we
found a single de Prunner's Ringlet (Erebia triaria) and Large
Skipper (Ochlodes venata) but there were very few butterflies
around in the dull conditions. After a late lunch a final stop beside the
Rhône gave us, at last, some reasonable numbers of butterflies in brighter
conditions. Blues were streaming around with skippers. New for the year
were numbers of Turqouise Blue (Plebicula dorylas) and a couple of
Mountain Argus (Aricia artaxerxes). Also flying were Osiris Blues (Cupido
osiris), numbers of tired Rosy Grizzled Skippers (Pyrgus onopordi)
and some lovely fresh Safflower Skippers (Pyrgus carthami). Also
good to find was a Small Elephant Hawk moth (Deilephila porcellus)
sitting in the grass.
27th May 2008 A quick
visit to a local site at lunchtime proved very rewarding. The 30°C and
bright sunshine forecast didn't materialise, but despite the wind it was a
hot humid and overcast 22°C. The butterflies were flying and immediately I
found plenty of the lovely Meadow Fritillary (Mellicta parthenoides),
the butterfly I had hoped to find. Amongst them were a few Heath
Fritillaries (Mellicta athalia) differentiated by the full hindwing
of lines, compared to the relatively "empty" upper hindwing of the Meadow
Frit. Photographs were difficult in the dull windy conditions but I think
I managed a few shots. A couple of Mazarine Blues (Cyaniris semiargus)
were flying too and my first Swiss example of a Meadow Brown (Maniola
jurtina) this year. The big surprise was half a dozen Woodland
Ringlets (Erebia medusa), perhaps a week over their best already.
I've not found this species at such a low altitude (600m) before.
June
1st June
The weather continues to be mostly dull with some rain and the odd
brighter patch and very occasionally brief spells of sunshine. It has
remained surprisingly warm with maxima of around 20°C. So the forecast of
sunny spells in the Valais tempted me to visit some new sites there.
Unfortunately there were no sunny spells, but the butterflies managed to
move around and were easily disturbed. I was very pleased to find a colony
of Clouded Apollos (Parnassius mnemosyne) in a meadow,
unfortunately also populated by a dozen or so cows. This made access for
photographs rather tricky and trying to hold a camera still with a cow
eyeing you curiously about 10m away is quite a challenge. I found one
female with an absolutely massive sphragus on her abdomen.
Also flying were my year's
first Mazarine Blues (Cyaniris semiargus), Northern Wall Browns (Lasiommata
petropolitana), a handful of Large Grizzled Skippers (Pyrgus alveus)
and many dozens of immaculate Chequered Skippers (Carterocephalus
palaemon). And for the first time this year in Switzerland there were
good numbers of fresh Small Blues (Cupido minimus).
5th June
Dull, dark and damp. Rubbish June (unless you’re a nocturnal frog).
9th
June Sunny spells but cool (18°C) tempted me to make a dash for the
Valais at lunchtime. Unfortunately the sun wasn't shining there and I
struggled to find anything during my hour long visit. I was lucky with a
single Escher's Blue (Agrodiaetus escheri) amongst a few other
sluggish Lycaenids and the odd Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina).
10th June
Quite a lot of sun today and temperatures rose quickly to the mid 20s. Not
to be considered the start of summer though as heavy rain followed in the
evening and greyness set in for the rest of the week. A lunch time visit
to my local Violet Copper (Lycaena helle) site produced one fresh
male. Despite the nice hot sunny conditions, in addition to this butterfly
I found only 2 Small Tortoiseshells (Aglais urticae) and 2 Green
Veined Whites (Artogeia napi). It seems that the extended period of
poor weather is taking its toll on butterfly numbers.
14th June
The best day of the weekend started with grim cloudy conditions. By mid
day temperatures hand risen to around 12°C under dark
grey
clouds. But the sun was making brief appearance and finally made a break
through early in the afternoon. We were well placed as temperatures
rocketed to around 17°C and the Scarce Heaths (Coenonympha hero)
started flying. Wonderful species close up, but in flight it presents as a
rather dark drab butterfly. It bobs over the grass, stopping occasionally
but only briefly. Occasionally they settle in the trees and I even saw one
fly up about 8m in an Ash tree to settle somewhat too far away to
photograph! A couple of very fresh bright orange Small Pearl Bordered
Fritillaries (Clossiana selene) were flying but little else.
A single
Woodland Brown (Lopinga achine) was flying in dull conditions in a
woodland near Geneva. Then we found the day's second highlight: Reverdin's
Blues (plebejus argyrognomon). These were flying in an open grassy
meadow in rather dull weather. Damp patches of bare earth were attracting
males for salts. Females were disturbed from their resting places on grass
stems or on the larval food plant Crown Vetch. At the day's last site I
had used up all my chances of finding the Short Tailed Blue (Everes
argiades), usually quite common at this time of year. I think the
recent awful weather has had a part to play in the demise of the first
generation.
17th
June The forecasts were right for last weekend – the 14th
was the best day and just as I though it couldn't get any worse for a mid
June it did. 2 days of dark drizzle/ rain and daily maximum temperatures
of around 12°C. Even with a burst of good weather it will take some time
for butterfly season to react.
21st June Summer has
arrived with a vengeance. From miserable dark, dull, cold, wet weather on
Tuesday, the French lost their European football match against Italy and
the sun came out. Saturday was 30°C in Vaud with bright blue skies. Sunday
22nd was the same and Monday 23rd too. Everybody is commenting on the
heat, but no one is complaining.
I spent the day in the
Valais and was very pleasantly surprised to find 63 species across a range
of habitats, a good third of these were the first sightings for the year.
Even more surprising as the first few places I visited had extremely low
numbers of butterflies, just 2 or 3 at each site. However, at one of my
favourite places there were butterflies everywhere. It was, unfortunately
somewhat too hot to do much photography.
The butterfly of the day was
the Nickerl's Fritillary (Mellicta aurelia) a first for me in
Switzerland. I had had a vague tip off of where to look for it a few years
ago but this was the first time I'd actually looked for it. At my first
stop I found dozens of Glanville Fritillaries and a couple of Heaths mixed
in (Melitaea cinxia, Mellicta athalia) when a small sombre
Fritillary caught my eye. There was already no doubt that this was the
Nickerl's. Close inspection was conclusive – slightly smaller and with
narrower forewings than the Heath it was a much darker orange-grey
upperside with regular black markings splitting up the ground colour into
small, similarly sized orange patches. The underside hindwing lunules were
greyish and the marginal band was clearly of a darker orange than the
white submarginal band. Very difficult to photograph because of the hot
conditions I did manage a few shots eventually. I'll go back for more!
The numerous other
highlights were Iolas Blue (Iolana iolas) still on the wing but
looking rather old now, many dozens of Ilex Hairstreaks (Satyrium
ilicis), Southern White Admiral (Limenitis reducta), good
numbers of Provencal Fritillaries (Mellicta deione berisali), a few
Zephyr Blues (plebejus pylaon trappi), an Olive Skipper (Pyrgus
serratulae), an early Rock Grayling (Hipparchia alcyone) with
large bright eye spots on the hindwing, several fairly old Amanda's Blues
(Agrodiaetus amanda), numbers of Mountain Green Veined White (Artogeia
bryoniae), a single Darwin's Heath (Coenonympha darwiniana) and
finally a marvellous fresh Alpine Grayling (Oeneis glacialis).
Good too were the first
Purple Edged and Purple Shot Coppers (Lycaena hippothoe, L. alciphron),
plenty of Almond Eyed Ringlets (Erebia alberganus) a very late Duke
of Burgundy Fritillary (Hamearis lucina), Apollos (Parnassius apollo), a Bath White (Pontia daplidice) and several dozen
Northern Wall Browns (Lasiommata petropolitana).
I went as high as 1800m at one place but
here the vegetation is much behind the usual for this time of year, almost
certainly due to the bad conditions of the past few weeks. I would expect
there to be a delay in the emergence progression of a couple of weeks over
recent years but I doubt that it will make any other difference to the
species concerned - I'm sure this is not the first time since the last Ice
Age we've had bad weather in May and June.
22nd June Another
trip to the Geneva region in the morning produced several nice species,
but not the four I'd hoped for. Great to see a couple of now old
Reverdin's Blue (plebejus argyrognomon) and some spanking fresh
White Letter Hairstreaks (Satyrium w-album) flying and settling
high in small Oak trees. White Admirals (Limenitis camilla) were in
some numbers, as were Woodland Browns (Lopinga achine). Marbled
White (Melanargia galathea) and Pearly Heath (Coenonympha
arcania) win the most abundant butterfly of the day contest! The
latter were very distracting when looking for Hairstreaks as they have a
similar size and the frequently fly into the trees and bushes. Over 70
species for the weekend!
23rd June A
trip at lunch time to a couple of wetland habitats proved very
interesting. On arriving at the first site I found someone catching the
numerous Dusky Large Blues (Maculinea nausithous). He was comparing
several methods of population size estimation. That morning he had
recaught 30 individuals that he had previously numbered. There were plenty
of butterflies without numbers too (roughly half of those I managed to see
settled) so my guess would be about 60 butterflies today in this small
area, no bigger than a football pitch. The unfortunate side effect of this
was half the butterflies I lined up to photograph had large numbers inked
on them, which rather ruined the photo. Not that they were stopping much
in the very hot and sunny conditions. There were several Scarce Large
Blues (Maculinea telejus) amongst them, clearly brighter blue
uppersides and light grey brown undersides contrasting with the heavily
dusky appearance of the Duskies. One Scarce Large Blue had just emerged,
its wings floppy and it was struggling to fly, managing barely half a
meter at a time. When settled it was vibrating its wings rapidly as if to
dry them. Great to see the first Lesser Marbled Fritillaries (Brenthis
ino) too.
At my second site I had
more of the same (including numbered butterflies) plus False Heath
Fritillaries (Melitaea diamina) and a lovely Small Pearl Bordered
Fritillary (Clossiana selene).
Latest Update 28th June A leisurely trip to the Val d'Hérens in the Valais. I've
not previously visited for the butterflies - previous visits have been to ogle at the immense
Grand Dixence dam or the pyramides of Euseigne. Today it was very hot and
sunny so I was able to enjoy the scenery and abundant flowers. On the
butterfly front I was pleased with several sightings of the Amanda's Blue
(Agrodiaetus amanda), Purple Emperor (Apartura iris) and a
single Nickerl's Fritillary (Mellicta aurelia). The latter was
identified with ease following my first local experience with this species
just last weekend. Meleager's Blue (Meleageria daphnis) were
widespread but only one or two at a time.
29th June Four of us met up in nearby France we were all treated to
numerous Large Heaths (Coenonympha tullia) and numbers of Chestnut
Heaths (C. glycerion) and Violet Coppers (Lycaena helle). A
first for the year was the Marsh Fritillary (Euphydryas aurinia),
surely retarded by the later than usual season.
July
5th July Saturday morning was the only predicted sunshine for the
weekend. After a week of bad weather my father and I snapped up the
chance to do some nature watching in the wonder of the high mountains.
First off we did some emperor watching, hoping to pick up a Poplar Admiral
(Limenitis populi) but finding only Purple Emperors (Apatura
iris) and White Admirals (Limenitis camilla). Two very lovely
fresh Large Tortoiseshells (Nymphalis polychloros) were posing on
telegraph poles. Marbled Whites (Melanargia galathea) and Great
Sooty Satyrs (Satyrus ferula) were memorable for their great
numbers.
At an altitude of about 2000m it
was already cloudy by midday. But it was still warm and several
butterflies were flying and more were to be disturbed from the low
vegetation. The flower variety was exceptional and the low sward was
covered in them. Most of the butterflies present were in low numbers, only
Almond Eyed Ringlets (Erebia alberganus), Large Ringlets (E.
euryale) and Small Blues (Cupido minimus) were common. Single
Grisons Fritillary (Mellicta varia), Eros Blue (Polyommatus eros),
Glandon Blue (Agriades glandon), Cranberry Blue (Vacciniina
optilete), Alpine Argus (Albulina orbitulus), Moorland Clouded
Yellow (Colias paleano), Carline Skipper (Pyrgus carlinae)
and Swiss Brassy Ringlet (Erebia tyndarus), were the first of the
season. The Warren's Skippers (Pyrgus warrenensis) were the
speciality of this location and we found four examples.
11th July It was a wet morning but the afternoon was bright and
sunny. That didn't help. The growing feeling that this summer in
Switzerland was going to be a wash out was confirmed as I visited a
favourite spot. Only
a few individuals Ringlets (Erebia) were flying where normally I
would have found 6 or 7 species. We met Guy Padfield and visited his
Mountain Alcon Blue (Maculinea rebeli) site together. They were
still flying in the warm evening, until the clouds finally boiled up to
towering heights. Of course the rest of the weekend was cold, dark, wet...
16th July A lunchtime trip on a very rare sunny break during a dull
wet week put up half a dozen rather old Cranberry Fritillaries (Boloria
aquilonaris). Only Lesser Marbled Fritillaries (Brenthis ino)
and Titania's Fritillaries (Clossiana titania) were flying with them.
18th July A trip down into France to pick up a few high altitude
species proved very disappointing. It started well with Purple Emperor (Apatura
iris) and a single Poplar Admiral (Limenitis populi). Tufted
Marbled Skippers (Carcharodes flocciferus) were the most numerous
I've ever seen, flying around sand banks along rivers. However, at higher
levels there was a near absence of butterflies. On a one hour walk I found just 3 butterflies in one usually
rich place. A second place was more productive, but seriously below par. I
found just a single False Mnestra Ringlet (Erebia aetheopella)
where they are usually common. Best was the discovery of moderate numbers
of Sooty Ringlets (Erebia pluto) in good condition. But they were
drifting up and down the very steep scree slopes, resting occasionally on
the rocks utterly out of reach for any photographs.
19th July Back in the southern mountains of Switzerland butterflies
were at least common at moderate altitudes of around 1600m. I was looking
for the Raetzer's Ringlet (Erebia christi) in the Laggintal but
without success on the very steep slopes. Darwin's Heaths (Coenonympha
darwiniana) were in better numbers than normal. There was still a lack
of variety that I would expect, further reinforcing my conviction that
this season has been very poor for butterflies with flight times and
numbers going haywire.
31st July I revisited one of my first ever butterfly sites on
mainland Europe 23 years after my first visit. Unfortunately after a week
of sunshine on holiday in Dinard, Brittany, France, the day of my visit to
a nearby heathland was dull and it started to drizzle. Never-the-less I found a lot of
Short Tailed Blues (Everes agriades) and Silver Studded Blues (Plebejus
argus) flying over the beautiful pink heather covered heaths. Also
the year's first Gatekeepers (Pyronia tithonus) were here.
August
3rd August I arrived at my
Thessaloniki hotel at 0330 with my bag still somewhere in Switzerland.
Luckily I'd pre-empted this eventuality when I saw the late connection times
so I had all necessary butterfly items and several days of clothing in my
hand luggage.
My father, Peter, arrived from London at
a much more reasonable hour, but after a very early start. So we were both
rather tired on our first afternoon of our trip around NW Greece. But with
a new motorway open all the way to Grenava we enjoyed our first
butterflying near Kozani just an hour and a half later. Butterflies were
abundant with many hundreds of Brown Argus (Aricia agestis),
Meleager's Blue (Meleageria daphnis), Hermits (Chazara briseis)
and Tree Graylings (Pseudochazara statilinus). The highlights were
Blue Argus (Ultraaricia anteros), Little Tiger Blue (Tarucus
balkanicus), Oriental Marbled Skipper (Carcharodus orientalis)
and very surprisingly a late Inky Skipper (Erynnis marloyi).
In the evening I came across several minuscule Grass Jewels (Chilades
trochylus) that made the tiny Little Tiger Blues look positively large
in comparison. Unfortunately Pete didn't see any of them as he was away across
the rocks enjoying the late evening sunshine.
4th August Naturally enough we returned to my Grass Jewel site for
photos early in the morning and we found 4 or 5 including one or two very fresh ones. Pete was
absolutely amazed at how tiny the butterfly was - surely it is under
recorded due to its tiny form. Even the very smallest Small Blues (Cupido
minimus) would comfortably outsize the average Grass Jewel - and some
Grass Jewels are noticeably smaller than the average.
We were very pleased to find 4 or 5 Krueper's Small Whites (Artogeia
krueperi) fluttering weakly along the low rock face nearby.
It was already getting hot and these whites were seeking shade on the rock
behind bushes. Great to find a perfect White Banded Grayling (Pseudochazara
anthelea) and a brief view of Eastern Greenish Black Tip (Elphinstonia
penia), both of which are well out of their normally recognised
seasons.
We left the dry limestone slopes behind and headed north to high altitudes
in the Varnous mountains, sites of previously very rich pickings. We
weren't disappointed despite the late date of our visit, although most
butterflies were rather worn and numbers weren't as
high as we'd hoped. Queen of Spain Fritillaries (Issoria lathonia)
were however extremely fresh and in very big numbers, as were False
Graylings (Arethusana arethusa). The highlights were all very worn: four False Eros Blues (Polyommatus erioides), a Balkan Copper (Lycaena
candens), an Ottoman Brassy Ringlet (Erebia ottomana), a couple of
Esper's Marbled Whites (Melanargia russiae), half a dozen Sandy
Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus cinarae), a Yellow Banded Skipper (Pyrgus
sidae) and two Balkan Fritillaries (Boloria graeca). Many
species seen here in mid July 2004 were already finished.
So after a day and a half in the field we had reached a highly respectable
80 species already!
5th August We spent all day in the Triklarion Mts to the NW of
Kastoria. Flower ridden slopes occupied us all morning, parts of which
were steaming with Anomalous Blues (Agrodiaetus admetus), Brown
Argus (Aricia agestis) and Common Blues (Polyommatus icarus).
Hundreds and hundreds of False Graylings (Arethusana arethusa) were distracting
us in our hunt for our day's target species. But with over 50 species
flying here we were thoroughly absorbed. One small area of about 40 m²
was slightly damp, sufficient for a completely different flora. In this
area were a couple of butterfly species not found elsewhere on the hillside:
Blue Spot and Sloe Hairstreaks (Satyrium spini and S. acaciae).
After lunch we decided we had to try higher up for our target butterfly
Amongst the highest peaks at around 1600 to 1700m we finally came across a
distinctly grey butterfly that was flying with more purpose than the
common to abundant False
Grayling. It was the Grey Asian Grayling (Pseudochazara geyeri).
Shortly after finding our first butterfly Peter found a mating pair
resting on rocks. Fabulous opportunity for photographs. I took my photos while
he had to return to the car for his camera. Peter finally clambered back
over the rocks and also took photos of the mating pair.
Unfortunately while chasing another example I went over on a rock and
aggravated recent ligament damage in my foot. I couldn't put my foot on
the ground for about 10 minutes, fearing the worst, but then managed to
tenderly limp off the rock strewn mountain, still very pleased with
finding a dozen examples of this extremely local and restricted butterfly.
6th August We dropped down from Kastoria to Konitsa during a very
hot day, stopping off at a few sites we had found in 2000 and 2004 visits,
hoping to find some of the specialities from the Grammos and N Smolikas
mountains. As expected, we were too late for Lesser Latticed Brown (Kirinia
climene) but found a patch of thistles in its habitat and attempted to
photograph the butterflies attracted here from the dry surroundings.
We stopped beside the Sarandaporos river that drains these mountains. Plenty of
butterflies were attracted to the flowers that benefited from the presence
of the nearby water. We were only at about 750m so it was a great surprise
to find the day's hoped for butterfly which is stated to fly above 1000m.
Our single example of the Dark Grayling (Pseudochazara mniszechii)
was resting in the shade of a bank but was sensitive to close approach. It
was in surprisingly good condition considering how late in its season it
was. I
managed just a single distant photograph of the fine individual before it
shot off up the hillside and was lost in the scrub. Our holiday's second White Banded
Grayling (Pseudochazara anthelea) was also sitting in the shade but
it too disappeared quickly.
Then we started a long and bouncy track across the top of the northern
part of the Smolikas massif. There were patches where butterflies were
flying but it wasn't until we passed the tree line that we found butterflies in any numbers. There were
huge numbers of the lovely Damon Blues
(Agrodiaetus damon) flying over the low sward and feeding on the
Field Eryngo flowers. Quite memorable. It felt relatively cool up here at
about 1600m but we were shocked to notice that it was still 32°C. We'd
failed to find the Dark Grayling where we had found several in 2000 but we
felt we had had a hard but a good day.
Hot at 1600m, at 400m it was a roasting 36°C. The air conditioning worked
a treat in the hotel room and we settled down for a feast of Greek food.
7th August We were down at the riverside of the Aoos by about 0830.
It was much cooler in the morning, but already the sun had popped up above
the hills and it was going to be a furnace today. We'd searched for some
Salix alba beside the river the previous afternoon and found
it to be quite widespread. It wasn't so easy to get on the river side of
the trees where we
hoped to find our day's target. One place we'd found had a shingle
bank, ideal for "tree watching". It took us a short time to find our
way through the trees and bushes and down to the shingle. These marginal bushes
were
home to our holiday's only worn Latticed Brown (Kirinia roxelana).
Just 30 seconds after emerging from the trees something purple and orange
glided passed me. Luckily I had the net today and with a gentle sweep I excitedly shouted "I've got one!" already confident that I had
plucked a Freyer's Purple Emperor (Apatura metis) from the air.
And sure enough it was. And just a few minutes later another one passed
through and settled about 5m up on a branch in the dappled light of an
alba tree. Shortly after, another one sat at 3m above ground level on
a large Hazel leaf. This happened twice, but it is still devilishly
high for a good close up photo and seriously frustrating!
We found one butterfly on the ground and managed quite a few photos. After
about 0900 a few butterflies passed though, mostly not stopping and always
high up gliding through trees, occasionally resting in the upper
branches of Salix alba. Sometimes they would rest for 10 or 20
minutes and we had the impression that when it really got hot (i.e. most
of the day) that this would be their roosting place. However after around
1000 there was no more movement and it seemed that the now very hot
conditions were too much for the emperor.
Nearby amongst apparently abandoned farms there were patches of mint,
Field Eryngo and other small thistles. In these very hot places we found
the fine Lesser Fiery Copper (Lycaena thersamon). Amongst the
flashes of bright orange was a single worn Grecian Copper (L. ottomana).
A couple of Lesser Spotted Fritillaries (Melitaea trivia) were
amongst the more numerous Spotted Fritillaries (M. didyma).
We spent the afternoon exploring the spectacular Vikos gorge. An immense
canyon dominated by the impressive Timfi mountains. Some beautiful rivers
can be found in the region and a walk along any of them is highly
recommended. We were very pleased to find several more Krueper's Small
Whites (Artogeia krueperi). One of the new butterflies for the
holiday found throughout this region was the Sage Skipper (Muschampia
proto). Maximum temperatures for the day were again 36°C.
8th August We were up early to beat the sun over the hills back at
our Freyer's Purple Emperor (Apatura metis) site, hoping to catch
them sunning themselves before they retreated to the tops of the trees. It
was a beautiful scene with the bubbling river behind us, the trees in
front of us and the sun rising over our shoulders. We waited over 2 hours,
way passed the time of yesterday's action and we had nothing but a single
suspected emperor buzz passed Peter. The Latticed Brown was still there but was
somewhat damaged today.
We were very disappointed but we had to leave for a very late breakfast
not only without photos but without really seeing the butterfly at all.
Bizarre how two consecutive days can appear be so dissimilar...
After some more excellent Greek yogurt and honey we headed south to "the
rocky ground at 650m just north of Ioaninna". This is the only in
information available on the Brown's Grayling (Pseudochazara amymone)
I can find. It seems no one knows any more about it. It was already late
morning so not the best time to start searching for butterflies at low
altitudes in August. There is a vast area that corresponds this description
given in the Tolman 1997. We got very hot in some nice habitats, but not
surprisingly we didn't find the target butterfly. We tried higher up
towards around 1000m but no luck.
During our exploits we were again rewarded with more Krueper's Small
Whites (Artogeia krueperi), getting to be a habit for this uncommon
species. We arrived at our next biotope, a tip off near Arta for the
Freyer's Purple Emperor. We spent some time looking for the place and
eventually we were confident we'd found it. If it was hot further north, here we
were wilting at 40°C, far far too hot for butterflies and for us.
9th August 0830 and despite the cool temperature or 23°C the
humidity made being out in the early morning sun almost as uncomfortable
as last night at 40°C. Finally I spotted my first Freyer's Purple Emperor
(Apatura metis),
wings closed at about 4m above ground level in a Salix alba tree.
It didn't move for 30 minutes. During which time however, several others
passed through, two of which settled on dried twigs on the ground. Very
sensitive to approach I managed a couple of poor shots from a distance. A
couple of butterflies had circled a low twig in the shade but not settled.
Only later did I notice that there was a fresh animal dropping below it in
the grass - it seems the Freyer's may have similar carrion tastes to our
more familiar Purple Emperor species. It was already in the low 30s°C when
we left a little before 1100 and after a period of time without any
emperor activity.
The motorway past Ioannina has been completed but there is still a lot
of work to delve beneath the Katara Pass and effectively marry east and
west Greece for the movement of trade and people. We had to, and wanted
to, take the old route over the top.
Here flies the form coutsisi of the Grecian Grayling (Pseudochazara
graeca). It was blowing a gale up here. Most unpleasant, but not cold.
A few mostly worn Apollos (Parnassius apollo) were effortlessly coping with the windy conditions. Then a couple of Grecian
Graylings put in a show, followed by several others during the next hour
or so. We managed some good photos as the wind gave us cover to move
around and make noise without spooking the butterflies. Luckily they had a
tendency to settle on rocks which don't move so much with the wind!
10th August Pete was flying late in the morning but I wasn't
leaving until early next morning. So I drove alone to the Phalakron Massif.
The new motorways made this a relatively easy 2 hours. For the first time
this holiday the morning was overcast. And it only got worse the further
east and inland I went. It was raining heavily when I arrived on the
Phalakron, but suddenly the clouds cleared and blue skies dominated all
but the highest levels. Wonderful.
This gave me time to find the very local Higgin's Anomalous Blue (Agrodiaetus
nephohiptamenos) in the grasslands above the tree line. I was also
very pleased to find the Black Ringlet (Erebia melas), considerably
darker than those I found in S Greece this time last year. The cool
conditions (15°C) permitted some photos. The local Chalk Hill Blues
(Lysandra coridon) were in very good condition and of a beautiful shining
pale blue.
Just over an hour later and the clouds and rain were back and I dashed off
the hillside as thunder and lightning started coming in from the west.
Just time to stop off in the gloom at 1300m and find a couple of Rippart's
Anomalous Blues (Agrodiaetus ripartii pelopi). The white streaks on
these butterflies were less dense and not as well defined as the Higgin's
I found further up.
11th August A trip to a local marsh back in Switzerland was
disappointing. I had found eggs of the Alcon Blue (Maculinea
alcon) the last two years but this year there were only three Gentian plants and no eggs at all. Nice to see Scarce Large Blues (M. telejus)
though so there is still good value at this site. Then I went up into the
mountains to try to see if some of the mountain species I missed due to
the poor July weather and mixed season were still flying. There was very little
infact, and the weather was still bad. I found none of the potential "missing"
Erebias but I was pleased and surprised to find Silvery
Argus (Pseudaricia nicias) flying in moderately good condition.
16th August After a week of rain, the moderately good weather was only going to last
until early afternoon so we decided to go into the mountains for a meal. I took an hour to walk off my excesses across the slopes. It was late
in the season here despite the altitude of around 1700m, but there were a
dozen or so Water Ringlets (Erebia pronoe), Yellow Spotted Ringlets
(E. manto) and Lesser Mountain Ringlets (E. melampus). A
single Tufted Marbled Skipper (Carcharodus flocciferus) was a big
surprise but this seems to be the norm in Valais at higher altitudes.
