Greenwings: French Alps, Mercantour, Queyras, 24 June to 9 July 2022

[David M]

Lycaenidae - Coppers

108. Purple Shot Copper
109. Small Copper
110. Purple Edged Copper
111. Sooty Copper
112. Scarce Copper

[David M]

Lycaenidae - Hairstreaks

Fairly dismal in all honesty. Apart from Blue Spot Hairstreak, the only other member of this group we saw in decent numbers was during one hot afternoon on the forest track, when there were good numbers of Purple Hairstreaks low down in a large deciduous tree, looking to take some shade:

During the first week, we went up to the meadows at the top of the village to see the White Letter Hairstreak colony on the elms. They weren't coming down to nectar though, as the area had been grazed to death, so the only images were the usual ones of them perching in the trees:

[David M]

Lycaenidae - Hairstreaks

113. Green Hairstreak
114. Purple Hairstreak
115. White Letter Hairstreak
116. Sloe Hairstreak
117. Ilex Hairstreak
118. False Ilex Hairstreak
119. Blue Spot Hairstreak

[David M]

Hesperiidae

An excellent range of these seen, including a few strong desirables such as Alpine & Dusky Grizzled Skipper.

The latter was found in decent numbers on the approach to Col Agnel:

The lavenders in Rimplas also gave us Foulquier's Grizzled Skipper:

The early season also meant we found a few Carline Skippers:

[David M]

Hesperiidae

120. Mallow Skipper
121. Tufted Marbled Skipper
122. Marbled Skipper
123. Dingy Skipper
124. Large Skipper
125. Silver Spotted Skipper
126. Essex Skipper
127. Small Skipper
128. Lulworth Skipper
129. Foulquier's Grizzled Skipper
130. Large Grizzled Skipper
131. Alpine Grizzled Skipper
132. Carline Skipper
133. Safflower Skipper
134. Southern Grizzled Skipper
135. Dusky Grizzled Skipper
136. Olive Skipper
137. Red Underwing Skipper

[David M]

Almost 140 species in a fortnight is good going anywhere in Europe and it was nice not to have much in the way of adverse weather to hamper our efforts.

As ever, one of the main highlights was the range of butterflies nectaring away on several ornamental lavender bushes a few yards up the road from the hotel in Rimplas:

The general wildlife is good too, and whilst I don't tend to take many images of it, I couldn't resist this Snowfinch at the top of Col de la Bonette:

It was also very satisfying to get back to some kind of normality after two summers beset with the pandemic. Things are pretty much back to normal on the continent...and long may that remain!

[selbypaul]

Such an impressive species total, even apart from the views and the scenery. Including 14 species I've never seen before, despite me having visited three different parts of the Alps previously (Italian Dolomites, Switzerland and Austria).

Just shows the sheer diversity there is in the Alps, something I know some of us know, but not everyone does.

Thanks as ever David for sharing your reports.

[Andy02]

Agree Paul. I always enjoy the reports David. They are a great learning tool . You make all of the tours look so inviting that it’s difficult to choose one over another.

[David M]

...Just shows the sheer diversity there is in the Alps, something I know some of us know, but not everyone does.

Sure does, Paul. The range is spectacular, something that was reinforced by the Pyrenees trip immediately after, which only yielded 80-90 rather than 130+.

[Roger Gibbons]

I recall that 2014/15/16 we had around 120 species each year, and not just the same species - the species total for the three years was around 138. That was just the Mercantour and Cayolle and only the first week in July.

I have recorded 87 species from the Col de la Cayolle and 95 from Isola (from the village up to the Col de la Lombarde). And every visit, something new.

Roger

[David M]

Agree Paul. I always enjoy the reports David. They are a great learning tool . You make all of the tours look so inviting that it’s difficult to choose one over another.

Thanks, Andy. Each area I visit is inviting in its own way - that's why I do so many!

[David M]

I recall that 2014/15/16 we had around 120 species each year, and not just the same species - the species total for the three years was around 138. That was just the Mercantour and Cayolle and only the first week in July.

I have recorded 87 species from the Col de la Cayolle and 95 from Isola (from the village up to the Col de la Lombarde). And every visit, something new.

It's a stupendous area, Roger, for sure. I remember one day whilst staying at La Vallière, we managed 102 species in a single day, including 71 at the Estenc Lake, both of which remain records for me.

I doubt you could top half of that in a single day in England.