In late October, we joined Naturetek on their Wallcreepers and Cranes tour in northern Spain. I’m pleased to say we saw both species, and a lot more besides!
Spain is a wonderfully diverse and scenic country and, inland, still relatively unspoilt. Indeed, the human population in rural Spain is decreasing, as more people move to the cities and coast.
The weather for the week was rather cloudy and chilly, which is a pity, for the previous week had seen some wonderfully warm, sunny conditions.
This was a bird tour, and I will indulge a little in that later. Of more relevance here, were a decent sprinkling of autumn butterfly species. One particular stubble field had lots of crucifers growing. Some were in flower, and these were attracting Bath Whites. Lots of them. Many of the females were egg-laying, choosing small, rosette plants. In this field alone there must have been dozens, if not hundreds of eggs, caterpillars, chrysalis and adults present, and there were several similar fields in the area.