SPAIN EARLY 2017.

[LancsRover]

Friday 24th February 2017.
A visit to Calblanque RP. Sunny 17C
I went to the usual spots, not far from the information office, it seems to be the best place.
Today a great improvement, I chased a Swallowtail up and down a steep hill and eventually got a couple of pics. I also followed a Painted Lady up and down the same steep hill but I failed to get one shot. Same story with the Clouded Yellows, once the wind takes them, that's it, but it's nice to see something different
More flowers coming out everyday, I could do with an ID with a little red and pale blue flower, maybe a tiny orchid?? wild guess
Russ

[David M]

Wow! Swallowtails in February.

It truly is a different world down there.

[millerd]

I think the little red/pale blue flower is some kind of vetchling. They resemble something similar that blooms on open grassy areas round here in late spring.

Dave

[Padfield]

Hi Russ. I think your little red and mauve/pink flower is Lathyrus clymenum, the Spanish vetchling. As ever, I stand to be corrected!

Guy

[NickC]

Beautiful swallowtail photos. I can't help with the flower identification, but the aircraft are are indeed operated by the Spanish Air Force; they are CASA C101 Aviojets of the Patrulla Águila (Spanish equivalent of the Red Arrows). No doubt they are busy this time of year working up and practising their display routine for the upcoming airshow season.

[LancsRover]

Thanks NickC for the plane ID's, so for a little treat here are some more pics of the "Spanish Red Arrows" for you and anyone else who like planes.

PLANES IN SPAIN OVER THE MAR MENOR.

I won't put anymore on my report's Pete.

Russ

[LancsRover]

Thanks Dave and Guy for the flower ID, I don't think I have seen them anywhere before, certainly not in the frozen north(Lancs), they are a beautiful little flower.
Russ

[LancsRover]

Monday 27th Feb.2017. Sunny but breezy 18C.
Calblanque NR.

Butterflies seen in the usual area today were;
3+ Clouded Yellows,
1 Mallow Skipper,
3+ Large Whites,
2 Black-eyed Blues(99%), male and female.
and 2 Humming-bird Hawk-moths.
Russ

[Chris Jackson]

A nice series of photos, Russ.
This has reminded me to keep an eye out over my way for Black-eyed Blues as they can be quite early in the South of France - well before the nominal flight period. Also I need photos of female uppers for my album.
Chris

[Padfield]

Those are definitely black-eyed blues, Russ - I'd up your 99% to 100%, if we're rounding to the nearest percent! It's interesting, as they weren't flying yet in Málaga a couple of weeks ago. I think the beginning of March is early for them anywhere.

Guy

[LancsRover]

Thanks Chris, I'm still looking for the Green-Underside Blue which I know you have in your area I'm just on their southern boundary here.
Russ

Thanks Guy for the 1%, it makes all the difference coming from you Yes I was pleasantly surprised to find the BEB, as my book says "one brood in April-May".
Russ

Tuesday 28th Feb. 2017, Sunny 18C
Another day in the Calblanque Reg.P.
Black-eyed Blue's still around,
Mallow Skipper,
Clouded Yellow pics. at last but not great,
an interesting little bug??
and a different looking orange wasp??
All ID's welcome.
Russ

[Vince Massimo]

Hi Russ,

The stripey beetle looks like a Rosemary beetle https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysolina_americana which has now spread to the UK, where it has become a bit of a pest.

Vince

[Chris Jackson]

... The stripey beetle looks like a Rosemary beetle ...Vince

Well done Vince, I've been trawling through Google and just havn't been able to put my hands on it. It might be a pest but its got class .
Chris

[LancsRover]

Thanks Vince and Chris for the ID and comments, all help greatly appreciated.

Russ

[LancsRover]

We are now at ALCOSSEBRE some 250 miles north of La Manga.

[LancsRover]

Wednesday 8th March 2017, sunny 18C.
A short trip down to the scrub land 500 metres south of our campsite, produced Bath White, Green Hairstreak, Holly Blue and Large White
Russ

[LancsRover]

Pics from last report

[NickMorgan]

It is lovely to see all of the butterflies you are seeing down there. I am always impatient at this time of year, but at least I can enjoy what you are seeing!!

[LancsRover]

Cheers Nick, I'm over a week behind and I've got some good butterflies to show but the internet is driving me mad
Russ

[LancsRover]

Plain Tiger 9th March.
Russ