Butterflying in the Alpes-Maritimes - Col de Cayolle

 

 

The day started well, sitting at the front of the hotel waiting for the group to gather we discovered a much sought after Geranium Bronze inhabiting one of the flower pots.

 
Then we were away, up to the Col de Cayolle where the primary target species was the Small Apollo. However it was a blue that caught the eye first, small numbers were puddling by the fast flowing stream, among them an Alpine Blue.

Alpine Blue?

Underwing confirms it.

 

Then several Small Apollos turned up and of course were the focus of attention.

Then it was a return to hunting out some blues.

Glandon Blue

Glandon Blue

Glandon Blue

 

Glandon Blue

 
In this alpine environment essential minerals are difficult to find hence the mud puddling. Of course another excellent source is animal poo. A large flock of sheep had recently been grazing the adjacent slopes and had left a myriad of their calling cards. Dead simple to seek out a suitable "Richard III" and stake it out, waiting for a host of visitors.

Detailed information from our leader

I think I recognised Mountain Ringlet, Common Brassy Ringlet, Glandon Blue, Mazarine Blue, Idas Blue, Damon Blue, Turquoise Blue and Escher's Blue

I moved to a less busy location, one with sole occupancy, much better for photography.

Idas Blue



Room for two?

 

 

 

 

Mazarine Blue

Plenty of Ringlets too.

Common Brassy Ringlet

False Mnestra Ringlet

Common Brassy Ringlet

The return trip to the minibus gave an ordinary Apollo, Mountain Green-veined White and a drop dead gorgeous Blue Spot Hairstreak

Lunch, as always, was taken amidst spectacular surroundings

Post lunch was a search for Mountain Fritillary. By now the temperatures were well up and any insect had gone into hyperdrive. Open wing shots were reasonably easy but these specimens were not up to giving any diagnostic closed wing shots - still I gave it a good go.

Mountain Fritillary

Mountain Fritillary

Mountain Fritillary

 

On the way down we stopped off at the lake at Estenc, buzzing with butterflies but by now I was running out of energy, the café more attractive than chasing hyperactive insects. However I did investigate the source of the river Var. In the rapidly drying mud at the top of the watercourse I found fritillaries puddling, In the first of the flowing water, just one resident, a large frog with its legs intact.

Niobe and Spotted Fritillary

The source of the mighty Var river.

La grenouille avec les membres inférieurs intacte

Nice place to live - in summer.

Back at the hotel I scanned the flowers for the valesina, alas all I recorded was an Ilex Hairstreak.




 

French Pyrenees - Cirque de Troumouse

Today found us venturing further up the Vallé de Héas towards the Cirque de Tromouse. As the temperature rose towards a high of 25 degrees butterflies were on the wing early. Our first roadside stop  gave us great views of Purple-edged Copper.

 

Also, my first distant Alpine Marmot, Marmota marmot - a bit of a surprise as I was expecting something squirrel size not akin to a Badger!

 
A sudden stop for distant but stunning views of the first of two Golden Eagles. A theme was developing of not getting close but it didn't last for long. We stopped at the Auberge de Maillet for refreshments and on the road we were greeted by a friendly Wheatear so I took the opportunity to use a longer lens.
  

Great views of the cirque from the auberge, the adjacent meadows are well populated with cattle and the grass is short and lacking any major nectar sources. Still, a few whites and the ever present Piedmonts were on the wing.

Climbing further up the valley we made several stops, the first for some distant Isard or the Pyrenean Chamois, Rupicara pyrenaica. The shot providing only proof that they were there, nothing being recognisable at such a distance.

We topped out at the car park at an altitude of around 2000 metres and set off for our next quarry, a most odd looking beast. The Pyrenean Brook Salamander or Pyrenean Newt, Calotriton asper. We were in luck and found at least eight specimens including two mating pairs. A tad difficult to photograph such a fascinating creature but well worth the effort.

 Just beyond the stream Jason found a Western Brassy Ringlet that paused long enough for a shot. A fly by of a Small Tortoishell was notable as it was the only one I saw on the tour although caterpillars were in evidence.

We lunched outside the auberge accompanied by a flock of Alpine Choughs before descending to a spot adjacent to the Gave de Heas where we found a host of butterflies "mud puddling"

Mud-puddling is behaviour most conspicuous in butterflies, but occurs in other animals as well, mainly insects; they seek out certain moist substances such as rotting plant matter, mud and carrion and they suck up the fluid to get salts and nutrients.

I don't keep notes in the field, relying on my memory and the photographs that I take to allow me to create a fomal record at the end of the day. This was a bit overwhelming so there may be some misidentification in the next few frames - so if you spot an error let me know.

"mud puddlers" - yes it's cow poo.

I believe the above frame contains: Silver-studded Blue, Mazarine Blue, Little Blue, Turquoise Blue and Large Grizzled Skipper.

In the foreground Turquoise and Mazarine Blues

Mazarine Blues and possible Escher's Blue

Again - with some open wings

Escher's Blue?



Marbled Skipper

A small pause in the proceedings to record a roosting Small Elephant Hawk Moth

We completed the day in search of a variety of Yellow-spotted Ringlet, Erebia manto constans, having found one, I could detect no spots at all.

 

A final bonus to the end of another superb day was a Bath White

To be continued...