Istrian Peninsula 21st May - 28th May 2024

[Stevieb]

After a thoroughly miserable start to the spring, I was looking forward to getting away with a bit of warmth and perhaps some butterfly lifers with a week in Croatia staying in Medulin

Medulin is a charming seaside town at the tip of Istria, one of the most scenic regions of Croatia. It is a perfect destination for myself and Claire as she could enjoy the beaches and crystal-clear waters whilst I could head into the fields and woods to explore.
The town also has a rich history and culture with ancient Roman villas at Vižules to the old windmills by the sea.

We also took the local bus to Pula, the largest city in the peninsula, where we visited the impressive Roman amphitheatre.

Pula Arena

Pula Arena

Pula Arena

May 21st

Flying out of Bristol we arrived in Pula just over 2 hrs later. The short flight time was one of the considerations in choosing this destination. Medulin was just a short 20-minute transfer from Pula airport.

We spent the rest of the day settling in and getting used to our surroundings.
First impressions were that Medulin, and the surrounding countryside was how we remember Cyprus forty years ago pre it’s tourism boom. It is unspoilt with a very laid-back vibe.

[Stevieb]

May 22nd
Prior to our departure I did the usual research via the net. I came across the excellent website www.butterfliesofcroatia.com. This proved an excellent resource especially the calendar feature that showed what butterflies to expect in May and where they occur .

I had also used Google Earth and Google Maps to identify any promising areas around our hotel. I had decided not to hire a car and just concentrate on the local environs.

One such area was a promising looking off road cycle track that traversed through open fields and wooded rides. It was a 45-minute walk from the hotel, and in rather warm conditions it was hard going. Once there though the rewards were excellent.

First butterfly lifer was a nice fresh Knapweed Fritillary Melitaea phoebe in a patch of scrubby field which I duly named fritillary field. It was alive with Knapweed Frits, Clouded Yellow and Common Blues.

Knapweed Fritillary Melitaea phoebe

Knapweed Fritillary Melitaea phoebe

Clouded Yellow Colias crocea

[Stevieb]

Dragging myself away I continued to follow the cycle track to where it entered woodland. At the start of the woodland ride I came across my second lifer of the day Ilex Hairstreak Satyrium ilicis

Ilex Hairstreak Satyrium ilicis

Continuing along the track I was always in the company of Southern White Admirals Limenitis reducta.

Southern White Admiral Limenitis reducta

Southern White Admiral Limenitis reducta

Also seen in some of the clearings were Comma, Adonis Blue and Green-underside Blue Glaucopsyche alexis

Green-underside Blue Glaucopsyche alexis

A constant companion was the many Red-backed Shrikes that lined the route.

Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio

[Stevieb]

I didn’t venture too far as I knew I had to walk back to the hotel in the continuing heat, so I retraced my steps back to the fritillary field for a quick last look and then headed back.

May 23rd
Claire came up with a cracking suggestion, why didn’t I take a taxi out to the start of the track this morning. I checked on Uber and booked a cab which was available to pick up from the hotel in 15 minutes. After what seemed about 10 minutes after pick up I found myself standing in the fritillary field. It was certainly worth the 5-euro fare.
The same species as yesterday were still present along with a couple of smart Swallowtails Papilio machaon

Swallowtail Papilio machaon

With the time saved using Uber I had more time to explore further along the woodland rides. Again, Southern White Admirals were the predominant species, but a nice flowering meadow held Glanville Fritillary Melitaea cinxia, Small Heath and Cleopatra

Glanville Fritillary Melitaea cinxia

Glanville Fritillary Melitaea cinxia

Southern White Admiral Limenitis reducta

Cleopatra Gonepteryx cleopatra

[Stevieb]

May 24th
After taking an Uber again I was once more in the fritillary field. New for the list was a Scarce Swallowtail Iphiclides podalirius joining the Knapweed Frits plus more Clouded Yellows.

Scarce Swallowtail Iphiclides podalirius

Scarce Swallowtail Iphiclides podalirius

Along the track clearings there were more Ilex Hairstreaks, Southern White Admirals and another lifer, Southern Grizzled Skipper Pyrgus malvoides. Also seen was a single Mallow Skipper and various orange Skippers.

Ilex Hairstreak Satyrium ilicis

Southern Grizzled Skipper Pyrgus malvoides

Southern Grizzled Skipper Pyrgus malvoides

After another excellent couple of hours, I called a cab to take me back to the hotel. Whilst waiting at the side of road watching a male Cleopatra nectoring on a geranium bush a nice Blue-spot Hairstreak Satyrium spini dropped in for only a minute but just enough time to get off a couple of shots. Another lifer for the trip.

Blue-spot Hairstreak Satyrium spini

Blue-spot Hairstreak Satyrium spini

[Stevieb]

May 25th
After overnight rain the tracks were quite muddy this morning which the Southern White Admirals found to their liking. A Green Hairstreak was new for the list.

Southern White Admiral Limenitis reducta mud puddling

I decided to walk back to the hotel as on the first day I’d noticed a large pond and thought it be worth a look to see what odanata was about. I found good numbers of Scarlet Darter along with Black-tailed Skimmer, Emperor Dragonflies and Lesser Emperors. All in all a nice diversion and certainly worth the visit.

Scarlet Darter Crocothemis erythraea

Scarlet Darter Crocothemis erythraea

Emperor Dragonfly Anax imperator

Lesser Emperor Anax parthenope

[Stevieb]

May 26th
All the usual species today with nothing new seen so my time was spent trying to separate Small Whites Pieris rapae from Southern Small Whites Pieris mannii. Not an easy task! Thanks to the UK Butterfliers for your input. I believe these to be mannii

Southern Small White Pieris mannii

Southern Small White Pieris mannii

Southern Small White Pieris mannii

Southern Small White Pieris mannii

Southern Small White Pieris mannii

[Stevieb]

A lovely fresh Green-underside Blue was nice to see too

Green-underside Blue Glaucopsyche alexis

May 27th
My last day out. Plenty of the regular species still about including a few newly immerged Marbled Whites, the first I’d seen during the week. I spent a while watching a Southern White Admiral ovipositing on honeysuckle before returning down the track where I was happy to find my final lifer of the holiday, Sloe Hairstreak Satyrium acaciae plus three Ilex Hairstreaks. A fitting end to what had been a very enjoyable week.

Sloe Hairstreak Satyrium acaciae

Sloe Hairstreak Satyrium acaciae

Southern White Admiral Limenitis reducta ovipositing

Southern White Admiral Limenitis reducta eggs

[Stevieb]

Birds around the hotel were numerous, with Red-backed Shrike being particularly prominent. Nightingales were also common though impossible to photograph. Scops Owl was heard nightly. Here’s just a few

Hoopoe Upupa epops

Eurasian Wryneck Jynx torquilla

Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur

Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio

Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio

European Serin Serinus serinus

Cirl Bunting Emberiza cirlus

[Padfield]

Great start, Stevie. I look forward to seeing more of your Croatian discoveries.

Guy

EDIT - between my starting to write that and clicking 'submit' you added a whole pile more! So it was a great continuation too! G

[Stevieb]

Great start, Stevie. I look forward to seeing more of your Croatian discoveries.

Guy

EDIT - between my starting to write that and clicking 'submit' you added a whole pile more! So it was a great continuation too! G

Sorry Guy

Last one, promise

[Stevieb]

Other wildlife seen around the hotel

Balkan Whip Snake Hierophis gemonensis

Balkan Whip Snake Hierophis gemonensis

Italian Wall Lizard Podarcis siculus

European Hare Lepus europaeus

Green Rose Chafer Cetonia aurata

Butterfly species seen:

Mallow Skipper Carcharodus alceae
Southern Grizzled Skipper Pyrgus malvoides Lifer
Essex Skipper Thymelicus lineola
Small Skipper Thymelicus sylvestris
Lulworth Skipper Thymelicus acteon
Large Skipper Ochlodes sylvanus
Scarce Swallowtail Iphiclides podalirius
Swallowtail Papilio machaon
Large White Pieris brassicae
Southern Small White Pieris mannii Lifer
Small White Pieris rapae
Clouded Yellow Colias crocea
Brimstone Gonepteryx rhamni
Cleopatra Gonepteryx cleopatra
Small Copper Lycaena phlaeas
Green Hairstreak Callophrys rubi
Blue-spot Hairstreak Satyrium spini Lifer
Ilex Hairstreak Satyrium ilicis Lifer
Sloe Hairstreak Satyrium acaciae Lifer
Holly Blue Celastrina argiolus
Green-underside Blue Glaucopsyche alexis
Brown Argus Plebeius agestis
Common Blue Polyommatus icarus
Adonis Blue Polyommatus bellargus
Painted Lady Vanessa cardui
Comma Polygonia album
Glanville Fritillary Melitaea cinxia
Knapweed Fritillary Melitaea phoebe Lifer
Southern White Admiral Limenitis reducta
Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria
Small Heath Coenonympha pamphilus
Meadow Brown Maniola jurtino
Marbled White Melanargia galathea

[essexbuzzard]

That’s a really nice report, Stevie, with a good blend of wildlife, culture and relaxation.

Glad you had such a nice time. Thanks for sharing.

[Charles Nicol]

A great read Stevie ! i especially liked the Turtle Dove pic

Charles

[Stevieb]

That’s a really nice report, Stevie, with a good blend of wildlife, culture and relaxation.

Glad you had such a nice time. Thanks for sharing.

A great read Stevie ! i especially liked the Turtle Dove pic

Charles

Thank you both. Glad you enjoyed it

Kind regards

Steve

[David M]

Good stuff, Steve. Always nice to pick up mannii and that latter Green Underside Blue is a beauty!

[Stevieb]

Good stuff, Steve. Always nice to pick up mannii and that latter Green Underside Blue is a beauty!

Thank you David

[petesmith]

Great stuff Steve - a nice selection of central southern European wildlife and culture there!

[Stevieb]

Great stuff Steve - a nice selection of central southern European wildlife and culture there!

Thank you Pete