This morning, near the Vallon des Dones, I saw my first Knapweed Fritillary #34 of the year IMG_3224.JPG and first Grizzled Skipper #35 of the year. I also saw 2 or 3 Painted Ladies, including this somewhat damaged specimen, IMG_3195.JPG and about 10 Spanish Festoons, including this very worn indivi...

This morning in the Parc de la Brague I saw my first Provence Chalkhill Blues #33 of the year, two males. This is one of them. IMG_3135.JPG IMG_3143.JPG There were a few small Heaths, IMG_3129.JPG and one or two Common Blues. IMG_3166.JPG I also saw a few Glanville Fritillaries, a Painted Lady, one ...

Hello Pauline,

Thanks for clarifying the attitude of the female Orange-tip.

Best regards,
Colin

Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever seen OTs in 'cop' either. :( This couple, seen this morning, seem to be on the brink of doing it :shock: . IMG_3042.JPG Also seen this morning, a Western Dappled White, IMG_3061.JPG a Wood White, IMG_3068.JPG 10 or 12 Spanish Festoons, IMG_3107.JPG and a...

Thanks for your kind comments, Pauline. Everybody seems to like Provence Orange-tips. It's a pity they only appear here in the south .
--
Colin

This morning, on a hill to the north of Biot, I saw my first Meadow Brown #31 of the year and there were many of them. IMG_3005.JPG Also, at last, my first Red Admiral #32 of the year, but no photo. There were many Wall Browns, IMG_3018.JPG one or two unidentified Whites, a possible Swallowtail, sev...

Hello Nick, Thank you for your kind comments. I agree, Provence Orange-tips are gorgeous. I was very lucky with the courting couple this morning, as if they hadn't been courting they would have flown away before I could get my camera out of my pocket. And by the looks of things, they did get around ...

On the way down to my favourite quarry this morning I saw this female Provence Orange-tip, IMG_2945.JPG and a bit later this courting couple. IMG_2950.JPG Near the quarry I saw my first Mallow Skipper #29 of the year and my first Glanville Fritillary #30 of the year. IMG_2983.JPG Also seen were a fe...

Having said the other day that I don't often see Provence Orange-tips, today they were more numerous than regular Orange-tips :) . I managed to get a photo of this female on Biscutella laevigata , IMG_2945.JPG then a few minutes later I encountered this courting, and subsequently mating, couple on w...

David, Mike, essexbuzzard and Chris,

Thanks for your comments.

"Papillons de jour - Atlas de PACA" does indeed give the impression that I should see more of this species in my "neck of the woods" than I do.

Cheers,
Colin

Even though it was overcast this morning, I saw my first Fritillary of the year, a Weaver's Fritillary #28: IMG_2930-001.JPG I also took photos of a Common Blue, IMG_2942.JPG and a Small Copper: IMG_2943.JPG Also seen, one Wood White, one Painted Lady, a few Berger's Clouded Yellows, a few Wall Brow...

This morning down near my local quarry, I saw one female Provence Orange-tip, IMG_2886.JPG IMG_2890.JPG and one Green-veined White. IMG_2920.JPG Also seen, but no photos, were one Scarce Swallowtail, one Small Copper, several Speckled Woods in the woods, two or three Green Hairstreaks and a Small He...

A couple of weeks ago down near my local quarry I saw a male Provence Orange-tip, which is not very common in my area. I didn't get any photos. Today I went down there again, and although it was cloudy, the first butterfly I saw was a female Provence Orange-tip, the first female I've ever seen. She ...

This morning was quite windy and I didn't see many butterflies. What I did see were a couple of Wall Browns, several Berger's Clouded Yellows, a few Small Heaths, and a solitary Wood White that was not at all disturbed by my presence. IMG_2875.JPG I didn't see any Painted Ladies, Spanish Festoons or...

As I mentioned in my Personal Diary, here in the Alpes-Maritimes for the last ten days or so, I have been seeing an unusual quantity of Painted Ladies. Yesterday I saw well over 20, and this morning 10 or so. This is to be compared with the normal one or two a week if I'm lucky. I don't know whether...

This morning in the Parc de la Brague there were fewer butterflies than yesterday, perhaps due to a cool wind, with Orange-tips being the most numerous. There were also several Painted Ladies, though not as many as yesterday. IMG_2803.JPG Also flying were several Berger's Clouded Yellows, a few Wall...

Hello Chris, I've never seen a Western Marbled White, though I believe there should be some around here, so I've given my data for a regular Marbled White: Spotted Fritillary: May 05 2011, May 07 2012, May 11 2013, May 17 2014 Marbled White: Jun 07 2011, May 30 2012, Jun 18 2013, Jun 05 2014 Souther...

After rain most of yesterday, this morning was sunny and cloudless. On my walk towards the Roche d'Ardy I saw my first Common Blue #25 of the year, a very tatty female. Also my first Southern White Admiral #26 of the year. IMG_2774.JPG The most frequently seen species was by far the Painted Lady. IM...

Hello Chris, Trevor and David, I was really very lucky with the Black-eyed Blue. At first I thought that it was only another Baton Blue, then getting closer I thought it was a Green-underside Blue, then I realised that it was Black-eyed Blue. I just managed to get a couple of photos before it disapp...

It was sunny and warm (about 19°C) but with a little wind this morning along the Piste du Collet des Espéres. I saw my first Black-eyed Blue #24 of the year, a male, a butterfly I don't often see. It didn't stay around for very long, but I did manage to get photos of the upperside and underside. IMG...