The Dordogne - Butterflies Sat 14th Sat 21st June 2014

Transcription

1 Limosa Holidays & Travelling Naturalist Trip Report France: The Dordogne - Butterflies Sat 14th Sat 21st June species of butterfly were seen on our trip to the Dordogne this year, with Cloded Yellows noted on several dates Gordon Small/wildlifeimagesgs.com report compiled by tour leader: David Simpson 1 Limosa Holidays & The Travelling Naturalist

2 Trip Diary Tour Leader: David Simpson with Nicolas Baelz, Jim Fish, Margaret Mills, David Perry and Angela Witherby Day 1: Saturday 14 June As I pulled into after Bergerac airport the Flybe flight was landing early and I met Angela coming out of the arrivals building. Soon after, the Ryanair flight touched down on time and before long we were all gathered together outside the main buildings except for Nick who was already installed at the hotel. I went to get the minibus and we packed all the bags in and set off for Mauzac. As we left the airport we saw a Kestrel attacking a Buzzard, whilst further on as we drove through tiny hamlets we put up a Hoopoe from the verge. In less than 30 minutes we were at Le Barrage Hotel, Mauzac by the river where Amanda, the manageress, greeted us and Nick joined us to say hello. After sorting out keys and rooms we reconvened in the restaurant for a nice light supper. Day 2: Sunday 15 June We started the week with a gentle introduction to the local Dordogne valley area. I drove up to the viewpoint at Trémolat high above the river and we explored the track and adjacent grassland and scrub. Near the viewpoint we saw Black Kites soaring, a Turtle Dove flew past and there was a Wood Lark in a tree. Walking along the track we found some interesting dragonflies: Common Clubtail and Small Pincertail. By some pines we heard Bonelli s Warbler plus Crested Tits though they weren t keen to show themselves. At the furthest meadow it had started to warm up and we started to find butterflies including Spotted and Meadow Fritillaries, Small Blue, Wall Brown plus Large, Essex and Lulworth Skippers. There were three species of graylings: Common, Woodland and Great Banded. A lovely white flower near a fence corner proved to be White Lace Flower Orlaya grandiflora. We also found a couple of nice moths amongst the grasses: a burnet Zygaena loti and Cream-Spot Tiger. Then it was back to Le Barrage for lunch. In the afternoon, we headed for Saint Meyme near my house to study the hill and damp grassland in the adjacent valley. We started out in the valley bottom traversing a small meadow and walked through an area recently cleared of fallen trees, harbouring a few Speckled Woods. We crossed the small bridge and were soon amongst the Meadowsweet and tall sedge where we found Lesser Marbled Fritillary, Southern White Admiral, Map, Holly Blue, Silver-washed Fritillary and Ringlet. Golden-ringed Dragonfly, Southern Damselfly, Copper and Beautiful Demoiselles were also present by the stream. Up on the hill we found Meadow Browns, Pearly Heath and Marbled Whites common (as they were at most sites all week) but also Swallowtail, Ilex Hairstreak, Small Blue, Spotted Fritillary, Adonis and Common Blues and there appeared to be nesting Cirl Buntings. A Tree Pipit sang from the edge of the wood nearby, where we disturbed a young Red Deer which ran off immediately. Just above the grasses we spotted a couple of late ascalaphids still flying, looking like a cross between a butterfly and dragonfly but in fact related to ant-lions and lacewings. Several orchids were still in flower too: Bee, Pyramidal, Lizard, Greater Butterfly amongst the grasses with the beautiful Red Helleborine and Muller s Helleborine in the forest. On our return to Mauzac several Hummingbird Hawk-moths were nectaring on the lavender. 2 Limosa Holidays & The Travelling Naturalist

3 Day 3: Monday 16 June Today, we went south across the Dordogne to the Bessède Forest. As we drove through the approaches to the forest there were plentiful Greater Butterfly Orchids lining one verge. When we got out of the minibus at the first stop we checked for birds and found a Wood Lark showing well in a nearby tree and also a Turtle Dove briefly, with a Whitethroat singing nearby. More exciting perhaps was a Short-toed Eagle that graced us with its presence, alternatively soaring and hovering putting in the full performance! In the distance a late Cuckoo sang briefly and a Middle Spotted Woodpecker clucked away. In the woods a Golden Oriole sang but didn t show and Crested Tits called. We walked off along a forest track and as usual things were fairly quiet butterfly-wise as it was still cool with just a Green Hairstreak and a few Pearly Heaths notable. However several dragonflies were moving including a large Golden-ringed and a Migrant Spreadwing (thanks Nick). We also recorded Blue Emperor, Broad-bodied Chaser and Orange Featherlegs together with un-identified skimmer and pincertail. The temperature increased as we approached a cross roads in the track where the trees let through dappled sunlight. Here we found some excellent butterflies: first White Admiral, then a great rarity the Woodland Brown and finally in a damper area in the open, a Large Chequered Skipper with its funny bouncing flight. Jim found a Gatekeeper, one of only two seen during the week. We moved on to a nearby area of grassy heathland and soon found our prize, the False Heath Fritillary, a pretty little butterfly. Very few other butterflies used the habitat. Everyone had a good chance to take photos and then we moved on again to our lunch stop and third site. Amanda had provided us with a good picnic each and once I had sorted out the seating everyone could enjoy it! I saw a Lesser Purple Emperor whizz at high speed down the road, but before I could say so it had gone! The pale mauve Large Selfheal was flowering nicely along the roadside. After lunch we walked along the road and then into some hidden meadows with Betony and wood pasture. In addition the Greater Butterfly and Fragrant Orchids were in flower and good condition. There were many Brimstones and Heath Fritillaries flying, other species included Black-veined White, Large Chequered Skipper, Ringlet, Marbled and Lesser Marbled Fritillaries. The final site of the day was another hidden meadow in a valley running northwards off the forested plateau. This proved productive with High Brown, Dark Green, Lesser Marbled, Meadow, Knapweed and Silver-washed Fritillaries, Map and our first Green-veined White plus another Woodland Brown. Back at the hotel we saw a Hobby hawking above the Dordogne River during dinner as well as a Cormorant flying upstream and Angela found a Cleopatra on her evening village stroll. Day 4: Tuesday 17 June We drove eastwards after breakfast to Les Eyzies and the Beune valleys, a Natura 2000 site. Unbeknownst to us the local council had decided to create a roundabout this day, so despite arriving at a point only a few kilometres from the first site to visit, we had to do a 20 km detour. The only compensation was that Nick got to see a Hoopoe on route at Meyrals! First stop was a reedbed area where our first butterfly was a Large Tortoiseshell, which stubbornly refused to open its wings after I saw it land on a tree. Near the bus we saw a small bird flitting about in the bus, which finally emerged on an open branch: a Spotted Flycatcher, always nice to see. Copper and Beautiful Demoiselles animated the babbling brook and a Peregrine called overhead. From the reeds we heard Cetti s and Reed Warbler, Water Rail, Moorhen and Coot. Further along the track after the woodland we found Black-veined and Green-veined Whites, Brimstone, Wood White, High Brown, Marbled, Spotted and Heath Fritillaries, Map, Brown Argus, Essex and Lulworth Skippers in a meadow with many other common butterflies. Angela was lucky enough to see the resident Kingfisher briefly amongst the reeds. In the woods nearby Crested Tits called and Short-toed Treecreeper and Firecrest 3 Limosa Holidays & The Travelling Naturalist

4 sang. On the road were the remains of a young Viperine Snake. Featherleg damselflies in the grass included White and there were many Southern Damselflies and a Large Red by the stream. We drove back towards Les Eyzies for lunch in a nice restaurant. Again the roadworks thwarted us somewhat and we had to park on the edge of town. However it wasn t too far to walk and we got to see the Crag Martin colony in all its glory and there was a Serin singing in the trees. After a very nice lunch at the Chateaubriant restaurant we made our way back to the bus. Second stop was an area of wet meadows. In the cliffs adjacent young Ravens were making a bit of a din as the adults came to feed them. A Hobby flew above us and then proceeded to attack a Common Buzzard. In the marshy area I found a pair of mating Lesser Marbled Fritillaries. There was also Keeled and probable Southern Skimmer plus Downy Emerald patrolling the track area. In the wetter zones we found some nice orchids Lax-flowered subspecies palustris (sometimes given full specific status and called Orchis palustris Bog Orchid) and Marsh Helleborine. We walked along the road to the bridge where we found all four species of demoiselle of the region: Beautiful, Banded, Western and Copper. There was a final visit to an old roadside quarry that proved quite productive for both butterflies and dragonflies. There were Great Banded Grayling and several Common Graylings plus Large Pincertails were easy to see and Ilex Hairstreaks were showing well. After the trip Jim found a Geranium Bronze in the hotel garden, the first of several seen during the week. Day 5: Wednesday 18 June Our butterflying spot today was the Causse de Daglan, an area of dry scrubby hills and forest above the Céou valley. We started near Saint-Pompon in a little dry valley. Here there is almost always a feast of butterflies and we weren t disappointed. Along the track we found Holly and Small Blues plus Brown Argus alongside Ringlet, Common and Adonis Blue. A Wood White fluttered slowly by and Marbled and Silver-washed Fritillaries occasionally popped up from behind bushes to nectar on brambles together with such species as Ilex and Blue-spot Hairstreaks. Both Southern White and White Admirals were seen and there were several other whites: Black-veined, Large and Small plus Brimstone. Graylings soon found us attractive perching posts as the temperature warmed up and two other species were also flying: Woodland and Great Banded. All the while Meadow Browns, Marbled Whites, Pearly and Small Heaths and Ringlets fluttered by in some numbers. Jim found a White Spotted moth amongst the grasses. Overhead three or four Honey Buzzards went up on thermals. From the forest a Firecrest and Golden Oriole sang and a tit-flock passed by including Crested. In the scrub we had views of a male and female Blackcap and a Melodious Warbler was singing. Here we also found Lizard and Pyramidal Orchids and some beautiful Red Helleborines. Further on the landscape opens up a bit and there is a recently planted truffle oak orchard. Here the disturbed ground is covered with annuals and more persistent perennials providing great nectar sources. Occasional Berger s Clouded Yellow and Cleopatra drifted by, then we got into the small fritillaries finding five species: Glanville, Knapweed, Meadow and Heath though only the latter was numerous and fresh. On the Wild Thyme we found many hairstreaks: Blue-spot and Ilex. It was also exciting to find several dark Great Sooty Satyrs where I have only seen one individual previously. There were also skippers buzzing about: Jim saw a Dingy and there was also Large, Essex and Lulworth, plus the scarcer Red-underwing Skipper. Amongst the trees were a few Speckled Wood and Jim found a Wall Brown along the track. Amongst the grasses I noted a Clouded Buff moth. Notable dragonflies included the Large Pincertail. It was time for lunch so we drove down to Daglan and parked in car park by the river. Over the little bridge is an area of cut grass with a few picnic tables. We used one under a shady tree and proceeded to enjoy Amanda s carefully prepared picnic. Although we didn t expect to see much we were pleasantly surprised Nick and Jim found us a nice male Common Redstart posing in a bush nearby giving great views. A male Serin posed briefly in an adjacent tree and then even more surprising was a female brown 4 Limosa Holidays & The Travelling Naturalist

5 Great Sooty Satyr egg-laying in the cut grass nearby! Not to be outdone a Swallowtail flew past us! As we walked back to the bridge for the bus we noticed some beautiful little blue bugs: Hoplia caerulea. After lunch we headed north to a small quarry with some small damp meadows, here we saw more Cleopatras and on my rambles I found another High Brown plus a Queen of Spain Fritillary, which I netted to show to the group. It was the only day we saw this species and the Painted Lady. We also saw Azure, Small Red and Large Red Damselflies near the little stream, but star of the show was the scarce Yellow Clubtail, which Nick got a nice photo of. The final stop of the day was a hilltop above steep stony slopes near Domme. This harbours probably the best Great Sooty Satyr colony in Dordogne and we saw plenty though all males posing for the photographers when they weren t sailing by in the heat! The views were spectacular across the valley. We walked up a track to the plateau where there were more hairstreaks and Pearly Heaths. By now however it was time to return to the hotel after a butterfly-filled day. Day 6: Thursday 19 June The weather continued to heat up during the week and today started sunny again. This time we drove westward towards Bergerac and then up north into the Landais Forest. Parking by a pond we walked up the track to the ridge but it was still cool and few insects were active apart from the odd Latticed Heath and Speckled Yellow moths. A Tree Pipit sang from the forest as we walked further along the track towards a clearing. From here we had a nice view north over the forest and I soon saw our first birds of prey going up on thermals. In fact they turned out to be Honey Buzzards three of them with quite variable plumage from light to dark. Another similar-sized bird but with white showing each side of the rump was a Goshawk quite a rare bird in Dordogne. Finally a Sparrowhawk arrived on the scene for a handy comparison with the similar but much larger Goshawk. We descended from the hill and walked along the road but butterflies were still thin on the ground due to the temperature - though we did see a few Essex and Large Skippers. A Golden Oriole sang and as I went to get the bus Jim and David were lucky enough to see it. A Middle Spotted Woodpecker was calling which only David managed to see. We moved to a nearby roadside lake and we were soon finding dragonflies, including a male Western Clubtail. In addition there was Four-spotted Chaser, Emperor, Banded and Beautiful Demoiselles and Orange Featherleg. I walked on to the head of the lake where the feeder stream enters and there is a small delta amongst the trees. There was a large yellowish butterfly fluttering about above the mud a Lesser Purple Emperor form clytie. The rest of the group joined and this butterfly was then joined by another normal form individual. We all had great views through the scope for ten minutes or so. It was time for lunch so we headed over to La Force and enjoyed a good lunch at a nice auberge sitting beneath a large parasol. Jim saw a Wall Brown as we returned to the bus. For the afternoon we returned to the forest and enjoyed a leisurely walk through the heathy habitat. Butterflies were rather scarce but we did have nice views of Large Chequered Skipper, Heath Fritillary, Wood White, Pearly Heath and Ringlet. An occasional Marbled and Silver-washed Fritillary bombed past. The meadow at the end of the track was full of butterflies, though I could only find Meadow Brown and Marbled White. Tree Pipit and Cirl Bunting sang but decided not to show themselves; however, the surprise of the day was a Nightjar which briefly churred beside the track! Day 7: Friday 20 June Just before leaving, Angela found a large green moth in the hotel garden a Large Emerald (thanks Jim) a good start to the day. We had a long drive up the Vézère valley beyond Montignac to a wonderful area of dry scrubby hills and forest rather like Saint Pompon. Another hot sunny day was forecast. I parked the minibus in the shade by the picnic table and we set off to scour the hill. On the first bramble patch we were greeted by many hairstreaks, both Ilex and Blue Spot plus a Comma and we spend time 5 Limosa Holidays & The Travelling Naturalist

6 photographing and admiring them. In the grassy area were several Black-veined Whites, Spotted Fritillaries, Common and Great Banded Graylings but the most impressive sight was a beautiful blue patch of Viper s Bugloss animated by a nice collection of Cleopatras another photo opportunity. There were also Hummingbird Hawk-moths here amongst others. Nick found a female Western Clubtail on a patch of brambles and a Blue Featherleg nearby. I went on a scout around the hill and on my travels saw a Wood Lark and a Green Lizard and soon after a Woodland Grayling. When I returned Angela and Jim were looking at a small, spotted moth which proved to be Dysauxes ancilla, a continental species which the French call La Servante. Meanwhile a Song Thrush sang from a nearby wood. We returned to the bus for our picnic lunch prepared for us by Amanda, using the convenient picnic table. A Swallowtail flew past and afterwards we strolled over to the viewpoint for a magnificent view of the valley and whilst admiring the chateaux a juvenile Peregrine flew past. Travelling north we parked up by a small roadside track near Condat and explored the hinterland. Here we found plenty of butterfly interest with more hairstreaks, plus Berger s Clouded Yellow, Brown Argus, Wall Brown, Great Sooty Satyr, Lulworth and Mallow Skipper and Turquoise Blue, which Angela found for us. Walking up the track further I luckily netted a fast large fritillary, which was zooming past me. At first in the net it confused me a bit, I thought perhaps Marbled or even Twin Spot. Then I realised it was the yellow (not normal silver) spotted form of the High Brown, form cleodoxa, always an interesting one to see. I thought it would never settle down and was about to let it go when it went quiet so everyone could photograph it even out in the open! Finally Nick had to move it on when it was time to go! In the evening over dinner we saw a scarce visitor to these inland parts: a Black-headed Gull. Day 8: Saturday 21 June For the last day we planned a bit of birding on Faux Plateau hoping to also see some interesting butterflies along the way. First stop was the northeastern sector where we had a very pleasant and interesting walk along a local track amongst the fields. The special bird here is the Black-winged Kite, which has only nested in Dordogne for two years and this area still holds the only pair. As usual they were easy to see perched on dead tree branches. There were two adults nesting for the second time this year, with two of their recent fledglings nearby. On a hedge nearby a pair of Red-backed Shrikes were busy nesting and feeding. Across an adjacent field we were fortunate to see a Woodchat Shrike as well giving good views through the scope. There were also Corn Bunting, Cirl Bunting, Stonechat and Turtle Dove active in the area. At the junction of the paths we were treated to Nightingales in stereo. Jim and Nick stayed behind close by the singing and were rewarded with a quick viewing. Further along the track amongst the fields we heard Quail and Stone Curlew. As we walked back to the vehicle a Wood Lark displayed a lovely fluttering songflight above us. Unfortunately there were few butterflies flying this early but we hoped for better things later in the day. En route to the next site Nick was lucky enough to see a Hoopoe. We moved on to the nearby reservoir where we found several pairs of Great Crested Grebe and Coot with young. By the bus in the wood two Golden Orioles were singing and they kindly decided to fly out into the open above us and away across a field to nearby trees where they soon disappeared so not a bad view! Back at the van a large dark Nymphalid butterfly was flying about. It soon settled briefly showing itself to be a Lesser Purple Emperor - probably the butterfly of the day. We went a little further south to the dam but apart from Black-veined and Wood Whites, Heath Fritillary, Pearly Heath, Adonis Blue, Lulworth Skipper plus our second only Gatekeeper, it was quieter than normal. A few dragonflies buzzed about such as Black-tailed Skimmer and Ruddy Darter whilst a Melodious Warbler sang from the scrub. 6 Limosa Holidays & The Travelling Naturalist

7 It was now past midday and time to return to the hotel and lunch. Here we arrived to find Geranium Bronze on the lavender. When lunch was over we packed the suitcases in the bus and everyone said goodbye to Amanda. Before we went she sensibly suggested we visit some more shady sites for the afternoon as by now the temperature was pushing 30 C. We drove westwards towards the airport but stopped first at Lanquais leisure lake in a car park under the trees next to a stream. There were several dragonflies patrolling this area: Emperor, Western Demoiselle and a probably Downy Emerald. Across the stream a young Carrion Crow stood in the scorching sun panting - apparently stuck amongst branches. However it eventually got it itself freed and moved to the cool shade and dampness of a nearby ditch. All the while a Middle Spotted Woodpecker was calling a species we heard at most sites during the week showing how common they are in Dordogne. There was still time before needing to go to the airport so I thought a bit of exploring in the forest was called for. There was an interesting spot with parking a couple of kilometres up the road. Here we had a final walk where, apart from commoner species, we had a last look at Marbled and Heath Fritillaries plus Lulworth Skippers. There were many Beautiful Demoiselle damselflies too but time had finally run out. We got back in the vehicle and turned back for the airport. I made a last little detour by the river and canal at Tuilières to show everyone the dam and point where the Lalinde canal rejoins the Dordogne river. Here there is an impressive flight of locks cut into the limestone where we briefly watched a small colony of Sand Martins. Soon afterwards we were entering the airport concourse and stopping outside the departures building. I helped everyone with their bags before putting the bus in the car park and returning with everyone s much-needed last picnic from Amanda. We said our goodbyes in a rather busy and crowded building after a pleasant and tranquil week full of butterflies with 64 species recorded. David Simpson, June 2014 SPECIES RECORDED BIRDS 1. Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa 2. Quail Coturnix coturnix 3. Pheasant Phasianus colchicus 4. Mute Swan Cygnus olor 5. Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 6. Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus 7. Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 8. Little Egret Egretta garzetta 9. Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 10. Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus 11. Black-winged Kite Elanius caeruleus 12. Black Kite Milvus migrans 13. Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus 14. Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus 15. Goshawk Accipiter gentilis 16. Buzzard Buteo buteo 17. Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 7 Limosa Holidays & The Travelling Naturalist

8 18. Hobby Falco subbuteo 19. Peregrine Falco peregrinus 20. Water Rail Rallus aquaticus 21. Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 22. Coot Fulica atra 23. Stone Curlew Burhinus oedicnemus 24. Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius 25. Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus 26. Rock Dove (Feral Pigeon) Columba livia 27. Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus 28. Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur 29. Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto 30. Cuckoo Cuculus canorus 31. Tawny Owl Strix aluco 32. Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus 33. Swift Apus apus 34. Kingfisher Alcedo atthis 35. Hoopoe Upupa epops 36. Middle Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopus medius 37. Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major 38. Green Woodpecker Picus viridis 39. Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio 40. Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator 41. Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus 42. Jay Garrulus glandarius 43. Magpie Pica pica 44. Jackdaw Corvus monedula 45. Carrion Crow Corvus corone 46. Marsh Tit Poecile palustris 47. Crested Tit Lophophanes cristatus 48. Great Tit Parus major 49. Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus 50. Wood Lark Lullula arborea 51. Sky Lark Alauda arvensis 52. Sand Martin Riparia riparia 53. Swallow Hirundo rustica 54. Crag Martin Hirundo rupestris 55. House Martin Delichon urbicum 56. Cetti s Warbler Cettia cetti 57. Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus 58. Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita 8 Limosa Holidays & The Travelling Naturalist

9 59. Western Bonelli s Warbler Phylloscopus bonelli 60. Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus 61. Melodious Warbler Hippolais polyglotta 62. Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla 63. Common Whitethroat Sylvia communis 64. Firecrest Regulus ignicapillus 65. Wren Troglodytes troglodytes 66. Nuthatch Sitta europaea 67. Short-toed Treecreeper Certhia brachydactyla 68. Starling Sturnus vulgaris 69. Blackbird Turdus merula 70. Song Thrush Turdus philomelos 71. Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus 72. Robin Erithacus rubecula 73. Nightingale Luscinia megarynchus 74. Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochuros 75. Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus 76. Stonechat Saxicola rubicola 77. Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata 78. House Sparrow Passer domesticus 79. White Wagtail Motacilla alba alba 80. Tree Pipit Anthus pratensis 81. Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs 82. Serin Serinus serinus 83. Greenfinch Chloris chloris 84. Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis 85. Cirl Bunting Emberiza cirlus BUTTERFLIES 1. Swallowtail Papilio machaon 2. Black-veined White Aporia crataegi 3. Large White Pieris brassicae 4. Small White Pieris rapae 5. Green-veined White Artogeia napi 6. Orange-tip Anthocharis cardamines 7. Clouded Yellow Colias croceus 8. Berger's Clouded Yellow Colias australis 9. Brimstone Gonepteryx rhamni 10. Cleopatra Gonepteryx cleopatra 11. Wood White Leptidea sinapis 9 Limosa Holidays & The Travelling Naturalist

10 12. Ilex Hairstreak Nordmannia ilicis 13. Blue-spot Hairstreak Satyrium spini 14. Green Hairstreak Callophrys rubi 15. Geranium Bronze Cacyreus marshalli 16. Small Blue Cupido minimus 17. Holly Blue Celastrina argiolus 18. Brown Argus Aricia agestis 19. Turquoise Blue Plebicula dorylas 20. Adonis Blue Lysandra bellargus 21. Common Blue Polyommatus icarus 22. Lesser Purple Emperor Apatura ilia and form clytie 23. White Admiral Limenitis camilla 24. Southern White Admiral Limenitis reducta 25. Large Tortoiseshell Nymphalis polychloros 26. Peacock Inachis io 27. Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta 28. Painted Lady Vanessa cardui 29. Comma Polygonia c-album 30. Map Araschinia levana 31. Queen of Spain Fritillary Issoria lathonia 32. Silver-washed Fritillary Argynnis paphia 33. Dark Green Fritillary Mesoacidalia aglaja 34. High Brown Fritillary Fabriciana adippe 35. Marbled Fritillary Brenthis daphne 36. Lesser Marbled Fritillary Brenthis ino 37. Weaver s Fritillary Boloria dia 38. Glanville Fritillary Melitaea cinxa 39. Knapweed Fritillary Melitaea phoebe 40. Spotted Fritillary Melitaea didyma 41. Heath fritillary Melitaea athalia 42. False Heath Fritillary Melitaea diamina 43. Meadow Fritillary Mellicta parthenoides 44. Marbled White Melanargia galthea 45. Woodland Grayling Hipparchia fagi 46. Grayling Hipparchia semele 47. Great Sooty Satyr Satyrus ferula 48. Great Banded Grayling Brintesia circe 49. Meadow Brown Maniola jurtina 50. Ringlet Aphantopus hyperanthus 51. Gatekeeper Pyronia tithonus 52. Small Heath Coenonympha pamphilius 10 Limosa Holidays & The Travelling Naturalist

11 53. Pearly Heath Coenonympha arcania 54. False Ringlet Coenonympha oedippus 55. Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria 56. Wall Brown Lasiommata megera 57. Woodland Brown Lopinga achine 58. Red-underwing Skipper Spialia sertorius 59. Mallow Skipper Carcharodus alceae 60. Dingy Skipper Erynnis tages 61. Large Chequered Skipper Heteropterus morpheus 62. Lulworth Skipper Thymelicus acteon 63. Essex Skipper Thymelicus lineola 64. Large Skipper Ochlodes verna DRAGONFLIES 1. Black-tailed Skimmer Orthetrum cancellatum 2. Keeled Skimmer Orthetrum coerulescens 3. Four-spotted Chaser Libellula quadrimaculata 4. Broad-bodied Chaser Libellula depressa 5. Scarce (Blue) Chaser Libellula fulva 6. Blue Emperor Anax imperator 7. Golden-ringed Cordulegaster boltonii 8. Downy Emerald Cordulia aenea 9. Western Clubtail Gomphus pulchellus 10. Common Clubtail Gomphus vulgatissimus 11. Yellow Clubtail Gomphus simillimus 12. Small Pincertail Onychogomphus forcipatus 13. Large Pincertail Onychogomphus uncatus 14. Ruddy Darter Sympetrum sanguineum 15. Banded Demoiselle Calopteryx splendens 16. Western Demoiselle Calopteryx xanthostoma 17. Copper Demoiselle Calopteryx haemorrhoidalis 18. Beautiful Demoiselle Calopteryx virgo 19. Orange Featherleg Platycnemis acutipennis 20. Blue Featherleg Platycnemis pennipes 21. White Featherleg Platycnemis latipes 22. Azure Damselfly Coenagrion puella 23. Southern Damselfly Coenagrion mercuriale 24. Migrant Spreadwing Lestes barbaris 25. Large Red Damselfly Pyrrhosoma nymphula 26. Small Red Damselfly Ceriagrion tenellum 11 Limosa Holidays & The Travelling Naturalist

12 Thanks to those who provided photos for this report: Nick Baelz (NB), Jim Fish (JF), David Perry (DP) and Angela Witherby (AW). Cleopatras (AW) Woodland Brown (NB) Blue-spot Hairstreak (NB) Great Sooty Satyr (NB) Large Chequered Skipper (NB) Lesser Purple Emperor (NB) 12 Limosa Holidays & The Travelling Naturalist

13 Marbled Fritillary (DP) Marbled White (DP) False Ringlet (JF) Hoplia caerulea (JF) Yellow Clubtail (NB) Lax-flowered Orchid (NB) 13 Limosa Holidays & The Travelling Naturalist