Spain - 21 April to 3 May 2022

[David M]

Pieridae

Unsurprisingly, given the time of year, Pierids were the commonest group, with a nice variety and some real rarities.

Green Striped White was very common in the SE of Andalusia, although Western Dappled White was ubiquitous almost everywhere.

Provence Orange Tips cropped up in low numbers throughout the trip, as did Clouded Yellows and Wood Whites.

Of course, Spanish Greenish Black Tip and Sooty Orange Tip were the standouts, although we never got a confirmed sighting of Portuguese Dappled White, which was a little disappointing.

48. Green Striped White
49. Western Dappled White
50. Provence Orange Tip
51. Orange Tip
52. Large White
53. Small White
54. Green Veined White
55. Bath White
56. Cleopatra
57. Brimstone
58. Clouded Yellow
59. Berger's Clouded Yellow
60. Wood White
61. Spanish Greenish Black Tip
62. Sooty Orange Tip

[selbypaul]

That's a list that already comprises 16 species that I've never seen before David! Despite the bad weather.

[David M]

8 new ones for me too, Paul: Chapman's Green Hairstreak, Common Tiger Blue, False Baton Blue, Spanish Marbled White, Spring Ringlet, Green Striped White, Sooty Orange Tip & Spanish Greenish Black Tip.

There are lots of species in Spain that can't be seen elsewhere in Europe which makes it a special place.

[David M]

Summary

62 species of butterfly in late April/early May is a good return. I had anticipated seeing as many as 70, as I had potentially factored in the likes of Dingy Skipper, African Grass Blue, Desert Orange Tip, Lorquin's Blue, Oberthur's Grizzled Skipper, Portuguese Dappled White, Aetherie Fritillary, Southern Small White & Long Tailed Blue.

Had I known beforehand that the weather would have been so unseasonably cool I would have been happy with 50 species, so no complaints regarding the tally achieved, and it will be interesting to go back in future years to see what changes, should the April period be more opportune for butterflies.

The orchids seen were spectacular, and there was plenty of other wildlife to enchant us, with numerous bee-eaters recorded, including a couple of nesting colonies, and many raptors patrolling the skies, as well as on the ground, as these amazing scenes show, with a large group of Griffon Vultures on terra firma next to an animal carcass:

It was also nice to see the area around Albarracin so green and lush, compared to the arid, baked nature in August. It's always a delight to stay in this beautiful town:

[petesmith]

That's a pretty impressive species list David, particularly given the most unseasonable weather both before and during parts of your trip.
8 lifers is not to be sniffed at!

And you certainly covered some miles...

Some pretty special species in amongst your finds also.

I would say congratulations are in order!

[David M]

Thanks, Pete. I'm pretty happy with the way things turned out. I confess I'd never imagined spending time butterflying in southern Spain in late April when daytime maxima were as little as 12c and snow was dumped overnight down to 500m in the hills just north of Almeria!!!

As you know, these unexpected obstacles simply have to be overcome, and at least in the future I'll be able to enshrine this trip as being the epitome of the very worst that can happen!

8 lifers is very satisfying, but the quality of those eight is right up there.

I shall be back next year to indulge in much the same thing!

[essexbuzzard]

Wow David, you sure get about, well done. Some great butterflies species and images there. And with Jon’s presence, a bit of botany, which is a great bonus.

I’m not jealous in the slightest. Honest!

[David M]

Thanks, Mark. You would have loved the orchids as much as the butterflies.

Maybe you should join us at some point.

[Chris L]

I really enjoyed the narrative and the photos David. Thank you for sharing that with us all. What is remarkable for me is that one is able to see more butterfly species in less than a fortnight in spring than one can see here in a year - and even then it is deemed a notable achievement seeing all of ours in a year. And you expected to see 70 too - and probably would have done had it not been for the weather.

[OwenE]

great thread David, having recently been to spain myself it really made me want to get back there.

[David M]

I really enjoyed the narrative and the photos David. Thank you for sharing that with us all. What is remarkable for me is that one is able to see more butterfly species in less than a fortnight in spring than one can see here in a year - and even then it is deemed a notable achievement seeing all of ours in a year. And you expected to see 70 too - and probably would have done had it not been for the weather.

I'm sure 70 is easily attainable in an 'average' year, Otep, so long as you know where to go, which we do now.

In another 6 weeks there'll be places in the Alps where more than DOUBLE the number of UK species can be seen in a single week. That's why I prefer to decamp to the continent in high summer.

[David M]

great thread David, having recently been to spain myself it really made me want to get back there.

Thanks, Owen. I never thought I'd say it but Spain is becoming my favoured destination for butterflies. Helps that it's much cheaper than France too!