Jason Sargerson

[David M]

Looks a nice stretch of habitat there, Jason. This is still a time of the year when plenty of species can be seen, including some in good numbers like your Gatekeepers.

In another two weeks or so things will be on the decline so best enjoy it while we can.

[millerd]

I missed you by a day, Jason - I was at Kiplingcotes on 7th when it was cloudy most of the time. I did see an Essex Skipper (but not the Brown Argus!).

That's a good view of the site, as well as the butterflies.

Cheers,

Dave

[jasonsargerson]

Thanks for your comments Dave and David.

I didn't think Essex Skipper had arrived this far north yet?

I was supposed to go on my last trip to Switzerland at the end of July and beginning of August.

This is to the east of Switzerland - to Graubunden - the butterfly season is usually a little later than in the west.

The places I would visit include Bergun, Biberbrugg (Schwyz), Brusio, Cavaglia, Filisur, La Punt, Val Roseg and Versam.

I often manage two or three sites in a good day. I stay at Filisur and usually walk round after I have returned from my longer excursions.

Filisur is a mountain site, the local mountain is Muchetta (higher than Ben Nevis), there is woodland and meadows in the village and plenty of buddleias to tempt butterflies - sometimes they are only just in flower.

Filisur has many common species (not common in the UK), the only very rare species are Southern White Admiral and Escher's Blue.

On the buddleias look for Swallowtail, Silver-washed Fritillary, High Brown Fritillary, Brimstone and Dryad.

In the meadows look for Chalkhill Blue, Common Blue, Sooty Copper, Clouded Yellow, Pale Clouded Yellow, Meadow Brown.

In the woodland look for Southern White Admiral, Arran Brown, Scotch Argus, Comma, Queen of Spain Fritillary, Heath Fritillary.

[millerd]

I didn't think Essex Skipper had arrived this far north yet?

It surprised me too, Jason, though a chap I spoke to there on the day confirmed they had recently arrived. I'll post a shot or two in my diary when I get back from northern England.

Cheers,

Dave

[David M]

Dryad, Filisur, 04.08.18

Very envious of that one, Jason....a species that I still haven't seen.

[jasonsargerson]

On the first day of my proposed holiday, I usually head south almost to Italy, to Brusio via the Bernina line of the Rhaetian Railway.

Brusio is a relatively lowland site, with meadows and buddleias for butterflies.

I first went through here on the train in 2005 and the buddleias by the railway were covered in Fritillaries - the valesina Silver-washed stood out.

Of course, I couldn't get off and had to wait until 2006 to visit!! Now I visit every year, except of course this year.

The meadows are home to Purple-shot Copper and Small Copper, Clouded Yellow, Common Blue, Small skipper, Wall, Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Small Heath, Queen of Spain and Spotted Fritillary.

On the buddleias occasional visitors are Apollo and Scarce Swallowtail. There can be Silver-washed Fritillaries along with High Brown and Dark Green.

Other buddleia feeders include Comma, Red Admiral, Peacock, Small White, Swallowtail and Scotch Argus.

[jasonsargerson]

On returning from Brusio, I usually visit Cavaglia.

This is a mountain site, the place I have discovered is usually alive with butterflies - I often don't know where to point my camera.

There are three groups of butterflies very frequent here: Coppers, Fritillaries and Ringlets.

The coppers include Scarce Copper, Purple-edged Copper and Sooty Copper - I have seen Purple-shot here once as well.

The first time I saw Purple-edged here I thought it was Large Copper (but of course very unlikely)

The 'common' Fritillaries are Dark Green, Heath, Titania's, Pearl-bordered and Niobe.
But these are usually topped up by the rare Thor's and Small Pearl-bordered Fritillaries.

The regular Ringlets are Almond-eyed, Lesser Mountain and Large Ringlet, with occasional appearances of Arran Brown and Marbled Ringlet.

If these riches are not enough look for Geranium Argus, Chequered Skipper, Black-veined White, Large Wall Brown and Mazarine Blue.

[jasonsargerson]

Another local trip is to Bergun - the next station from Filisur - about 15 minutes by train.

I like this because I get to sleep in, and go on the 1000 train rather than the 0800 train.

At Bergun, the best place I have found (so far) is to walk up the road to Stugl - a bit of a climb.

Apollo butterflies fly in Bergun (but not in Filisur or higher at Preda for some reason).

Blues include Mazarine Blue, Chalkhill Blue and Mountain Brown Argus,

Fritillaries found include High Brown, Titania's, False Heath and Heath.

The star butterfly here is the Southern White Admiral - I have even seen it flying through the railway station.

Other key butterflies are Large Wall Brown, Alpine Heath, Silver-spotted Skipper, Comma, Scotch Argus and Arran Brown

[David M]

I've only been back home for a week and you're making me hunger for the mountains again, Jason!

Stunning butterflies and scenery. I hope 2021 will allow us to safely revisit these favourite locations.

[jasonsargerson]

Thanks for the comments David - I am not sure whether highlighting where I might have been has been good therapy or not!!

Following visiting Bergun in the morning, I would travel through the Albula tunnel to the Engadine valley and visit La Punt.

This is my only site so far for Damon Blue (maybe someone reading this could suggest another good site).

I have also seen Amanda's Blue here twice.

It is a good site for Niobe Fritillary, Titania's Fritillary and Lesser Marbled Fritillary.

There are usually plenty of Lesser Mountain Ringlets and Large Ringlets.

Other blues include Chalkhill and Common Blue.

The other key butterflies are Large Grizzled Skipper, Purple-edged Copper, Clouded Yellow and Painted Lady.

[jasonsargerson]

On one day of my proposed holiday in Graubunden I head for Biberbrugg in Schwyz.

This is a very interesting site because it combines two habitats - woodland and wetland.

There are common butterflies, wetland butterflies and woodland butterflies.

The common butterflies include Large Skipper and Small Skipper, Brimstone, Swallowtail, Common Blue, Whites, Small Tortoiseshell, Small Heath, Meadow Brown, Ringlet and Marbled White.

I particularly like to photograph the Brimstone on the Cabbage Thistle.

Butterflies of the wetland include Scarce Large Blue, Alcon Blue, Lesser Marbled Fritillary and Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary.

I have yet to see Cranberry Fritillary and Dusky Large Blue, but they are supposed to be present.

Woodland butterflies include Map, White Admiral, Pearl-bordered Fritilary, Silver-washed Fritillary.

I have seen Purple Emperor here twice, but not recently and I did see a very new Camberwell Beauty once - it flew away very fast.

[jasonsargerson]

On another day in my proposed holiday I would visit Versam-Safien beside the River Rhine.

I usually go to Oberalppass in the morning and visit Versam on the way back, but it might be a good idea to visit Versam first in the morning.

Versam is a lowland woodland site with typical butterflies such as Silver-washed Fritillary, High Brown Fritillary and White Admiral.

There is a good buddleia near the railway station that is usually well patronised by Fritillaries.

Other butterflies to look for include Map, Red Admiral and Comma and the Dryad also likes the buddleia.

Walking along the railway line should turn up Chalkhill Blue, Common Blue, Marbled White, Pale Clouded Yellow, Large skipper, Wall Brown and Meadow Brown.

Scotch Argus and Arran Brown can be found on the buddleia or on the pathway.

[jasonsargerson]

The last place I am visiting on my virtual tour is Val Roseg - a walk from Pontresina.

I have visited here the last three years and found Amanda's Blue each time, long may it continue.

This site is good for Fritillaries, including Niobe, Titanias and Lesser Marbled.

Purple-edged Copper is present and Scarce Copper arrives later in the season.

Skippers include Small, Silver-spotted, Large Grizzled and Chequered.

Ringlets are the usual common ones: Large, Lesser Mountain and Almond-eyed - and sometimes Swiss Brassy.

Alpine Heath is common, and you may spot a Mountain Clouded Yellow.

[David M]

Fabulous once again, Jason.

I really need to investigate the possibility of living abroad!

[jasonsargerson]

That is the end of my three trips to Switzerland - I hope to do as well for real next year.

Hopefully this has given you some inspiration for a visit to Switzerland.

There is more information about Swiss Butterflies and a good overview by buying both my books: Swiss Butterflies and Swiss Butterflies Site Guide.

Buy both direct from me for £18.00, including postage.

Alternatively, if you prefer live butterflies, try my DVDs: Swiss Butterflies East and Swiss Butterflies West.

Buy both direct from me for £21.00, including postage.

[jasonsargerson]

The summer has been disappointing - I have not seen any Holly Blues or Speckled Woods in my garden this August.

The buddleias have flowered and not seen any Peacocks, Red Admirals or Small Tortoiseshells.

My Red Valerian has seen a single Small Tortoiseshell a few days ago, and a slightly damaged Red Admiral today.

[jasonsargerson]

For those of you who prefer the Fox diary to the Butterfly diary.

The Fox was sunning itself again in the back garden at lunchtime today (about 1315).

One day I will set up the camera trap I bought a couple of years ago!!

[David M]

Shame you've not seen too many butterflies lately, Jason. This last couple of weeks numbers have been pretty good round my way.

Gorgeous images of the fox. More often, if I see them at all, they tend to look a bit scruffy & battle scarred but that one seems to be in prime condition.

[jasonsargerson]

Continuing the wildlife theme - a rather sad looking crow was perched in my pear tree the other day.

The squirrels like the pears - I have to keep chasing them off.

There was a nice black cat giving one of the squirrels a good chasing around the garden yesterday.

I hope my oak tree produces acorns this year - maybe this will keep the squirrels occupied.

[jasonsargerson]

For those of you interested in the Fox diary.

On Monday 28th of September, the fox appeared in the garden at lunchtime.

It decided to investigate my rockery, instead of sunbathing, so of course when I took its picture, it made haste.

Yesterday just after breakfast, another fox appeared - very wet and sorry for itself - it seemed to have a damaged tail.

Another fox appeared and the first fox was very upset - snarling and crying - the other fox disappeared.

Maybe there is a territory dispute or mating problem?