Swiss Alps

[Paul Wetton]

Ok so this follows on from the French Alps post but I thought a new topic was in order as I have decided on the Swiss Alps for definite and Michael appears to be thinking seriously about the same.

We really would like some information on sites to visit at altitude in the mountains plus a couple of good sites in the Rhone Valley where we would be able to walk and butterfly.

This would maximise the number of species available to us all.

We are hoping to spend the best part of three weeks in Switzerland with two weeks in the Val D'Herens around Evolene and Arolla followed by somewhere in the Rhone Valley dependant on replies to this post. Day trips to the valley could be a possibility as I hate moving tent mid holiday.

Advise on timing would be appreciated but between late June to August would be our options. I was thinking of early to mid July.

Cheers

Paul

[Padfield]

You can't go wrong in the Evolène/Arolla region. I can't release individual sites, but that Val, like all the Vals on that side of the Rhône Valley, is full of excellent species. Explore and you will be richly rewarded.

If I'm around when you come I'll gladly take you to particular sites (you will then be sworn to secrecy, of course), but to be honest, you'll see more than you can take in even without me. All the mountain passes in that region are fantastic. Sites in the Rhône Valley floor are more difficult to find, as it is obviously more developed, but again, if I'm around I can show you some if you would like. There are also one or two very well known sites in the valley floor I wouldn't mind putting in an e-mail or PM.

Swiss butterfly records are not put in the public domain at better than 5km x 5km precision and I never publish sites at all. If that sounds a bit precious, you should read my e-mails and see the number of requests for information I get daily!! I turn them all down, without exception. Nevertheless, I am always happy to take people I trust to the best sites (except sites for super rare things like E. christi!! ).

Guy

[Paul Wetton]

Hello Guy

Many thanks for replying to my request.

If you could email me any sites that are not too sensitive for species I may not find easily on my own I would be extremely grateful. I will PM my email address to you.

The offer of assistance is fantastic and I will contact you when I finalise the details of our trip. It would be great to meet you.

Many many thanks

Paul