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Monday 28 May 2018

Butterflies of the French Pyrenees, Sournia, The Quarry and "Somewhere in the Pyrenees"

Day three and four rolled together mainly because day four was short and sweet. At least the sun came out and we enjoyed some really warm weather. The increased temperatures brought aout the butterflies and we weren't disappointed. Lots of blues about, not least Chapman's Blue which was invariably seen on Sainfoin.



Chapman's Blue


Chapman's Blue


Chapman's Blue


Chapman's Blue


Chapman's Blue



Chequered Blue



Chequered Blue



Chequered Blue



Mmmm - Blue???



Mazarine Blue

The Marsh Fritillaries were really bright - I have a suspicion that most of these are Eurodrya aurinia beckeri

Marsh Fritillary



Marsh Fritillary



Marsh Fritillary



Marsh Fritillary



Marsh Fritillary



Marsh Fritillary



Marsh Fritillary


Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk Moth



Broad-bordered Bee Hawk Moth



Broad-bordered Bee Hawk Moth


Southern Scarce Swallowtail


Southern Scarce Swallowtail

The late spring in the Pyrenees may have led to fewer butterflies but at least it meant that the Spanish Festoons were still about.


Spanish Festoon



Spanish Festoon


The botanists on the tour seemed to ignore the Broomrapes and concentrated on the orchids.

Common Broomrape



Knapweed  Broomrape


Man Orchid


Man Orchid


Man Orchid


Pyramidal Orchid



Finally a location somewhere in the French Pyrenees. not divulged as it is a very sensitive site with a small population of Violet Copper. I say small and that is justified by the fact that we found just a single specimen. Now 12 photographers trying to capture one butterfly could do an awful lot of habitat damage but I have to say that everyone was patient and well behaved. We took it in turns, two at a time, half a dozen shots then away to let someone else in.




Violet Copper



Violet Copper



Violet Copper



Violet Copper



Violet Copper



Violet Copper



De Prunner's Ringlet



Marsh Fritillary



Orange Tip



Orange Tip



Painted Lady




Small Blue




Tufted Mallow Skipper



Narcissus poeticus






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