Saturday 18th June
It rained again all night and we woke to grey skies and downpours. Having failed to find the Monday market in Allemont, (we since discovered it is summer only, so maybe it runs from July), we got up early and went to the (all year round) Saturday market in le Bourg d’Oisans. It was lovely to see all the traditional French produce on offer (none of the cheap tat you get in English markets) and had we not eaten our own body weight in cheese and cold meats since we had been here we probably would have bought some of it.
It was still raining by 10.30 when we got back and so it continued all day. The only change in the weather was when it rained more heavily, in a 'comedy rain' fashion, and when a massive thunderstorm erupted early in the afternoon. Occasionally the sky would turn from dark, dull grey to a brighter, dull grey and tease us with the prospect of brightening up only for it to chuck it down once again.
At precisely 15.20 it stopped raining and some blue sky appeared. It was time.
Just in case it did nothing but rain again for the rest of our trip I went back to my two favourite places so far. First up was the alpine meadow.
I drove across the iron bridge and was amazed by the amount the river had risen, although it had rained heavily on and off for 3 days. Compare these views with those taken on Sunday 12th June - Part 3!
And finally, here’s the iron bridge, with my car in the background.
I nipped into the quarry site as it was on the way and the butterflies were just waking up and basking in some sun at last. Seen here: 6 Marbled Fritillary, 2 Lesser Marbled Fritillary, 1 Marbled White, 6 Ringlet, 1 Small Skipper and 2 Green Veined White.
I carried on to the alpine meadow. The sun was in and out and there was a stiff breeze but things were coming back to life. I think this Black Veined White had chosen the wrong spot to rest though.
Thankfully, there were some happier looking individuals.
There was one Apollo flying and another basking:
There was also this one which I think must have just emerged. I think she is a she. She didn’t move much and I waited to see if I could watch her take her maiden flight but she hadn’t moved in ages, despite the sun.
I overlooked this Geranium Argus at the time, thinking it was a Mazarine Blue, (thanks Guy!).
Heath Fritillaries were once again present.
Marbled Whites were very common.
Seen in the alpine meadow: 3 Apollo, 1 White Admiral, 7 Heath Fritillary, 3 Weaver’s Fritillary, 25+ Marbled White, 2 Pearly Heath, 1 Meadow Brown, 20+ Ringlet, 3 Black Veined White, 2 Green Veined White, 1 Geranium Argus, 1 female Common Blue, 1 Large Skipper, 5 Small Skipper, 5 Essex Skipper.
I then moved on to the track that led to Baton Mogen from La Perniere. Again, things were still waking up and there were Fritillaries of at least 6 types everywhere vibrating their wings in the sun.
Different species were sharing basking spots as they warmed up again.
- High Brown and Marbled
The Silver Washed Fritillaries had come out in good numbers and I even saw a female f. valenzina.
Heath Fritillaries were in large and small varieties.
- Little
- Large
I wondered what nearly 3 days of heavy rain would do to butterfly numbers and while they were down on last time, there were still mostly very fresh individuals about and in very good numbers. I was also later in the day and not out for as long of course.
Once again the corner where the track turned was the hot spot and I caught a glimpse of the Southern White Admiral again. The bramble was covered in Browns, Whites, Skippers, Commas and Fritillaries; Silver Washed, High Brown, Marbled, Heath and Weaver’s. But this pristine fresh Spotted Fritillary really took my breath away.
Another highlight was this fabulously marked female Adonis Blue; I’d never seen one with so much orange. But on checking Guy’s, Roger’s and Matt’s websites, it seems they can look like this in Europe.
A little way round the corner there were two oak trees and sure enough, on the bigger tree, I saw at least 3 Purple Hairstreaks enjoying the late afternoon sun along with an unidentified darker Hairstreak.
Finally, there was a little reminder of home.
Sightings for here: 8 Silver Washed Fritillary, including 1 female valenzina, 6 High Brown Fritillary, 25+ Marbled Fritillary, 25+ Heath Fritillary, 15+ Weaver’s Fritillary, 1 Spotted Fritillary, 1 White Admiral, 1 Southern White Admiral, 6 Comma, 40+ Marbled White, 5 Meadow Brown, 20+ Ringlet, 3 Pearly Heath, 6 Black Veined White, 10+ Green Veined White, 1 Southern Small White, 3 Purple Hairstreak, 1 female Adonis Blue, 3 Small Blue, 2 male Common Blue, 5 Large Skipper, 5 Small Skipper, 3 Essex Skipper.
There was also a Short Toed Eagle flying above the mountains and this beautiful damselfly at my feet at one point.
There were a family of Coal Tits in the tree outside when I got back.
Species added today:
Geranium Argus
Adonis Blue
Purple Hairstreak
To butterfly meadows, chalk downlands and leafy glades; to summers eternal.
