Jason Sargerson

[jasonsargerson]

On the next day of my intended holiday my butterfly trip would have been to Stausee Mattmark or Mattmark.

This is a huge reservoir, high up in the mountains, reached by Postbus from Visp, via Stalden, with a change just before Saas Fee.

I think the best approach now is to go early - arrive at about 0920, then walk as high as possible - take the right hand path after going through the tunnels. It is cooler early, the butterflies are just emerging, then you may have a chance of Cynthia's Fritillary on the higher ground.

This site is good for rare butterflies, but don't expect to see them all - later in July is better for Shepherd's Fritillary and Mountain Fritillary.

I have seen Alpine Blue and Glandon Blue here, but they are often difficult to spot among Idas Blue and Small Blue.

I have come to the conclusion I am not very good at small butterflies - I need more practice!!

Fritillaries to be be seen include the rarer Grison's and Mountain Marsh and also Niobe Fritillary.

Ringlets to be found are Swiss Brassy, Marbled and Mnestra's. Skippers include Large Grizzled and Silver-spotted.

I have seen Small Apollo here once and it is also supposed to be good for Peak White - maybe later in the season.

There are Clouded Yellows and Mountain Clouded Yellows, Purple-edged Coppers and Sooty Coppers - Scarce Coppers are later.

Alpine Heath are usually easy to find and Alpine Grayling may put in an appearance.

[jasonsargerson]

On returning from Mattmark on the 1220 Post Bus, I usually get off at Stalden and walk to the railway station to catch the MGB train to Tasch.

Tasch is a mountain site, beside the Mattervispa stream. In the distance are the snow capped peaks of the Breithorn and the Kleine Matterhorn.

On the photograph you can see a diagonal line - this is one of the avalanche shelters for the Gornergrat Railway - next photo shows the view of the Breithorn and Kleine Matterhorn from Gornergrat - almost touching space!

Tasch is a good place to find Knapweed Fritillary, Large Wall Brown and Silver-studded Blues. I follow the river in the direction of Zermatt, past the campground on the right. At the back of the camp are some nice flowers for butterflies, including Knapweed Fritillary.

Skippers to be found here include Red-underwing and the rare Carline Skipper.

I can often find Purple-shot Copper on the Yarrow and also Scarce Copper.

The key blue species include Large Blue, Mountain Brown Argus, Idas Blue, Mazarine Blue and Turquoise Blue.

Other Fritillaries found are Heath, False Heath, Spotted, Pearl-bordered and Niobe.

It is possible to find Northern Wall Brown, Alpine Heath, Darwin's Heath and later in July, Dusky Meadow Brown.

Regular Ringlets include Almond-eyed and Large Ringlet. I have found Hairstreaks - Green and Blue-spot.

Apollos fly through, along with Mountain Clouded Yellow and various whites including Wood White.

[David M]

Ah! Sunshine and mountains. What could be better?

That Swiss Large Blue is quite some critter, Jason. Are they all like that?

[jasonsargerson]

Yes David, I think all the Swiss Large Blues are of the 'obscura' type - not like the more blue versions in England.

The next place on my proposed holiday is a trip to Lauenensee in the Bernese Alps.

If you recall my diary last year, I went to Lauenensee too early at the beginning of June - it is much more productive in early July.

I would expect to see Scarce Large Blue and Dusky Large Blue - although the latter is more difficult to find.

The best places unfortunately appear to be near the car park, the path to the lake and the paths at the near end of the lake.

So if you have a good find, you are likely to be disturbed by people with dogs or children, who have no consideration for photographers.

I have seen Purple-edged Copper and Violet Copper here - Purple-edged is more likely.

Other butterflies to look out for include Black-veined White, Dingy Skipper, Alpine Grizzled Skipper, Mazarine Blue and Lesser Marbled Fritillary.

This is a protected wetland, so you are not permitted to leave the paths.

It is a spectacular place though and well worth a visit even if you are not fortunate with the butterflies.

[jasonsargerson]

The next day of my intended holiday I would have visited Murren in the Bernese Oberland.

If I arrive in Murren by mid morning, first I walk back along the railway line to look for butterflies.

Then I walk through the village to the Allmendhubel funicular. There are some meadows to look for butterflies on the way to the funicular, but not as many as when I first visited Murren. Allmendhubel gives a more spectacular view of the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau mountains.

Allmendhubel is also a good place to find hilltopping Swallowtails. Other butterflies found include Sooty Copper subalpina, Titania's Fritillary, Geranium Argus, Small Blue and Small Tortoiseshell.

On returning to Murren, I walk back along the railway again - it is surprising you find different species at a different time of day.

Along the railway line I usually find Apollo and Black-veined White.

Fritillaries include False Heath, Titania's, High Brown, Dark Green, Pearl-bordered and Queen of Spain.

Blues include Small Blue, Mazarine Blue, Common Blue - I have seen Large Blue, but not for some years now.

Coppers include Sooty Copper subalpina and Purple-edged Copper euridice.

Other butterflies to look for include Large Skipper, Berger's Clouded Yellow, Large Wall Brown, Alpine Heath and Bright-eyed Ringlet.

[Janet Turnbull]

Lovely to look back, Jason... will you get away later in the year, or leave it until next year?
Janet

[jasonsargerson]

Thanks for the inquiry about travelling Janet.

I am going to be very cautious about travelling. I have cancelled my three trips to Switzerland this year (the airlines cancelled the flights) and re-booked for next year. I was hoping to go later this year or early next year, but I think I would need a vaccination or evidence that the Coronavirus infection rate is very low indeed. It seems younger people are willing to risk things, but unfortunately I think this will lead to further serious outbreaks. The virus came to the country by airplane, and was spread via the crowded transport network - underground and railways, as well as people returning to their homes. So, it seems very careless to me to repeat this all over again.

On the last day of my intended holiday I would have a choice depending on the weather. I could go to Chatelard Frontiere, Camedo or Allondon - see previous posts. But I would probably go up to the Simplon Pass. Last year I had a good visit in August - in July I would hope to see some new species.

The Simplon Pass is featured on Paul Wetton's excellent DVD: Searching for Butterflies in South West Switzerland. He filmed butterflies such as Moorland and Mountain Clouded Yellows, Glandon and Cranberry Blues, Mountain, Mountain Marsh and Grison's Fritillaries and Darwin's Heath.

Butterflies that I saw included Clouded Yellow, Idas Blue, Scarce Copper, Niobe Fritillary, Silver-spotted Skipper, Marbled and Swiss Brassy Ringlets.

The Simplon Pass is an easy 45 minute Post Bus trip from Brig.

[jasonsargerson]

At last I have seen some butterflies in England.

I went to Chambers Farm in Lincolnshire today - the first sunny day for at least 3 weeks.

I found quite a few butterflies, however, many were already damaged, so not such good photographs.

I found a Purple Emperor on the ground at Fiveways - it was not easy to photograph, so I disturbed it and it landed on me, then flew off.

There were several White Admirals on the paths and on the brambles.

The highlight for me was photographing Silver-washed Fritillary for the first time here - I have only seen briefly on previous visits.

Other butterflies were Red Admiral, Comma, Peacock, Ringlet, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Small Skipper, Brimstone, Large White and Small White

[David M]

Good to see you got out and saw a few of our native butterfly fauna, Jason, although it's no real substitute for a week or three in the mountains on continental Europe.

[jasonsargerson]

At last, a break in the weather!! This is only my second butterfly day this year - typical when we cannot visit Europe as normal.

I visited Kiplingcotes Reserve (Yorkshire Wildlife Trust) near Market Weighton today. It was cloudy and windy to start with - not very promising.

However, by 1200 there was some sun and it was less breezy.

I managed to see Large White, Small White and Green-veined White, along with Meadow Brown, Ringlet and plenty of Gatekeepers.

The key species here is Marbled White - there were quite a few flying. Small Heath was absent though - maybe in August.

I also saw Peacock, Red Admiral, Small Skipper and also a Large Skipper.

[millerd]

Good to see those shots from Kiplingcotes, Jason! I would normally visit at this time of year and it's fascinating to compare year on year. In fact I was there a year ago to the day (26/7/19) and saw Brown Argus, Common Blue, Small Heath and Comma as well as those you came across today. A year before that on 28/7/18, there were Walls as well! It's a great spot.

Cheers,

Dave

[David M]

At last, a break in the weather!! This is only my second butterfly day this year - typical when we cannot visit Europe as normal.

Tell me about it, Jason!

Have to say, such is my frustration that I have been out butterflying in this country more than ever before this year, but of course the species count simply can't compete with continental Europe.

[jasonsargerson]

Thanks for your replies Dave and David.

I am hoping to visit Kiplingcotes again tomorrow - supposed to be sunny and 30 C.

I usually see Common Blue and Brown Argus second brood in August.

Wall butterfly would be very good - I haven't seen one in England for about 15 years!

When I returned home from golf today at about 1330, there was a surprise visitor sunning himself on the back lawn.

It is amazing, when you are out, the Foxes come out to play - they must have a sixth sense when it is all clear.

[jasonsargerson]

A return to Kiplingcotes today - very hot, sunny, but windy.

Not so many butterflies as when it was cloudy and cooler!!

The Ringlets had disappeared, not so many Whites or Gatekeepers.

I managed to find one Small Heath, one Small Tortoiseshell and four Common Blues, that were new compared to the last visit.

There were also Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Small Skipper, Marbled White and Peacock.

In August I would hope to see Brown Argus, Comma and Brimstone.

[jasonsargerson]

Today I visited North Cave Wetlands, a Yorkshire Wildlife Trust site.

It is primarily a place for wetland birds, but there is a chance of butterflies.

I forgot to take my binoculars (don't normally need them for butterflying), so my bird identification was limited.

I did see Greylag Geese, White Egret, Mute Swan and Lapwing.

Butterflies included Large White, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper and Peacock.

[kevling]

Jason,

I've been reading you diary with interest, especially the Swiss reports. We have been fortunate to visit both Zermatt and Wengen and the scenery and Butterflies are fantastic. I have memories of the alpine meadows when you alight from the Kleine Matterhorn cable car. When we visited they were full of Apollos. You've bought happy memories back to me.

Kind Regards
Kev

[Pauline]

Loving your fox images Jason. How wonderful to have them sunning themselves on your lawn

[jasonsargerson]

Thanks for your encouraging comments Kev and Pauline.

Maybe I should just post about Foxes - forget about butterflies!

This is a reminder to me about the Purple-edged Copper subspecies in Switzerland.

I have made the mistake of labeling some photos euridice, when they are eurydame.

It has been made clear by Vincent and Michel Baudraz in their excellent book 'Guide to Identification of Butterflies of Switzerland' that the eurydame subspecies is found in the Southern Alps (Valais and Graubunden) and the euridice subspecies is found in the North (Bern and Jura).

The euridice subspecies is the one with the purple edges to the wings of the male. The female is darker copper with spotting on the upperwings. The underside spotting is more pronounced than in the eurydame subspecies.

I have seen the euridice subspecies at Murren, Brandegg and Lauenensee - all Bern

The eurydame subspecies has no purple on the male or female, the male is bright orange, the female is dark brown with some orange markings.
The underside spotting is usually weaker than the euridice subspecies.

I have seen the eurydame subspecies at Mattmark, Simplon and Chatelard (all Valais) and at Brusio, Cavaglia, Alp Grum, Ozpizio Bernina, Muottas Muragl, Val Roseg, La Punt and Preda (all Graubunden).

It would be interesting to know if there is a division like this in France or Austria.

[jasonsargerson]

I visited Pearson Park Wildlife Garden in Hull today at the invitation of Andrew Gibson of Yorkshire Wildlife Trust.

The garden is currently closed to visitors due to Covid 19 restrictions.

I was very pleased to see Common Blue - last time I saw one here was in 2011!

There were also plenty of Gatekeepers, Small Whites and Green-veined Whites.

[jasonsargerson]

I visited Kiplingcotes again today - a very nice day, not too windy or too hot.

There were still Gatekeepers flying - must be my butterfly of the year - I have seen it everywhere, including in my garden!

The new butterflies were Brown Argus and Brimstone.

There were Common Blues flying, including females.

Other butterflies were Red Admiral, Peacock, Large White, Small White, Marbled White (very faded), Small Skipper and Meadow Brown.