CFB

[CFB]

I saw no butterflies this morning even though it was sunny and warm with however a coolish breeze. But this afternoon there was a female Brimstone in the garden for quite a long time going from one Rock Rose (Cistus albidus) plant to another, and from one flower to another on the same plant.

--
Colin

[Chris Jackson]

Seeing that Rock Rose is quite amazing Colin.
Rock Rose is a long way off flowering over here in the Bouches du Rhone.
I hope the Mistral wind will soon calm down so that Orange Tips can venture out.
Chris

[CFB]

It was sunny this morning but with some thin high cloud, which made it cooler than the last couple of days. As a result of which the only butterflies seen were two or three Speckled Woods. This one was in very good condition.

This afternoon in the garden we found this female Wall Brown. She was not very active, presumably due to the large piece missing on the starboard wing.

--
Colin

[CFB]

Once again sun, no clouds, but a cool breeze, the latter still apparently retarding the butterflies. But I did see my first Orange-tip #12 of the year. It was the only one I saw, and it never stopped flying. There were also a few Green Hairstreaks hiding in prickly bushes or in the grass, a couple of Speckled Woods which also never stopped flying, and a Wall Brown.

So, no photos .
--
Colin

[CFB]

This morning was warm and sunny, but I saw no butterflies at all during the first 45 minutes. However on the way back, at and near the Pont des Dones there were several Orange-tips ...

... one Comma ...

... my first Wood White #13 of the year (I don't know what the brown mark on the wing is) ...

... and my first Small White #14 of the year ...

There was a good crop of Italian bluebells or Italian squills (Hyacinthoides italica) which make up a bit for the absence of "real" bluebells in my area ...

--
Colin

[CFB]

Another sunny day, with a few small clouds in the afternoon. During my walk in the Parc de la Brague this morning I saw very few butterflies: two or three Wall Browns, two or three Green Hairstreaks ...

... and one Wood White ...

Close investigation reveals what looks like a mosquito on it left antenna .
--
Colin

[CFB]

Along the Brague this morning there were very few butterflies to be seen. There was however my first Small Heath #15 of the year. I didn't manage to get very close to it:

Nearby there were two Orange-tips taking advantage of the Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata):

I also saw one Wall Brown.
--
Colin

[CFB]

I was very pleased this morning to encounter my first Spanish Festoon #16 of the year. It was at one of the two sites where I manage to see them every year.

I also saw a few Wood Whites, one male Cleopatra, several Brimstones and one or two Wall Browns. But the Orange-tips were the most numerous.
--
Colin

[Chris Jackson]

Great shots Colin.
I will be keeping my eyes open for Spanish Festoon and Small Heath then. Neither are common over my way, but I'll know what to be looking out for.
Chris

[CFB]

Chris,

In my ignorance I assumed that Small Heaths were pretty common everywhere, but I see from my "Papillons de jour Atlas de PACA" that it's not very common even in the south of the Var.

Today, particularly this afternoon, has been very hot. This morning I managed zero photos even though there were very many male Orange-tips, many Wood Whites, one Wall Brown, one high-speed non-stop Scarce Swallowtail #17, and one tiny male Baton Blue #18.
--
Colin

[CFB]

Another sunny, warm day .

This morning I saw my first Small Copper #19 of the year, in fact there were two of them in close proximity of each other.

Other than that, there were several male Orange-tips, several Speckled Woods and an unidentified Blue, presumably a Holly Blue.

I had hoped to see some Western Dappled White, bit didn't .
--
Colin

[CFB]

No photos today . But I did see my first Western Dappled White #20 of the year . In fact there were several of them. Also my first Provence Orange-tip #21 of the year . Also several Speckled Woods and a couple of Small Whites.
--
Colin

[Goldie M]

Just gone through your postings Colin and I think your photo's are great especially the Orange tip and the Brimstones which I've yet to see, it's been too cold here so they seem rather late this year compared to last when I'd got loads of photos by now.Goldie

[CFB]

Thanks Goldie. Things here also seem to be slow compared to last year, 21 species compared to 27 so far. And also, several of this year's sightings were of just one individual. And this morning it is cloudy and cool. Let's hope that things get better soon.
--
Colin

[CFB]

Well things did get better in the afternoon. After rain in the night and clouds this morning, this afternoon it was sunny and warm around the Vallon des Dones.

I saw my first Painted Ladies #22 of the year (4 of them, but no photos ), 2 Spanish Festoons with photos of underside and upperside,

2 Small Heaths, 2 or 3 Speckled Woods, a few Wood Whites including this courting couple,

several Brimstones, a couple of male Cleopatras, including this one with lots of additional spots on all underside wings,

1 Western Dappled White,

many Orange-tips including this lovely female,

1 Baton Blue,

1 Comma, and, for the first time this year, several Berger's Clouded Yellows #23.

--
Colin

[CFB]

Very few butterflies flying this morning, but there were a couple of Speckled Yellow moths (Pseudopanthera macularia).

--
Colin

[Chris Jackson]

Those Festoon photos are great, Colin.
Glad to see your tally is increasing progressively - a sign that Spring is getting into gear.
Your 'freckled' Cleopatra IS intriguing.
I have seen Painted Ladies over my way, on and off since the start of the year - they breeze on by and are never localized.

Cheers, Chris

[CFB]

I'm glad you liked my Spanish Festoons, Chris. Have you not seen any yet this year? What is interesting as well is that there is at present absolutely no sign of their LHP Aristolochia pistolochia. But I suppose they know what they are doing .
--
Colin

[CFB]

This morning, which was sunny with some wind, I went via the Pont des Dones to Roche d'Ardy.
I saw 4 or 5 Painted Ladies who were very active, though one did eventually allow me to take several photos,

several Brimstones including this female which I think I probably woke-up,

one Speckled Wood,

and several Wood Whites, including this courting couple.

I also saw one Baton Blue, a couple of Wall Browns, a few Berger's Clouded Yellows, two Spanish Festoons (no photos today), several Orange-tips and one Small Heath.
--
Colin

[CFB]

It was sunny and warm (about 19°C) but with a little wind this morning along the Piste du Collet des Espéres.

I saw my first Black-eyed Blue #24 of the year, a male, a butterfly I don't often see. It didn't stay around for very long, but I did manage to get photos of the upperside and underside.

There were still plenty of Painted Ladies, around 6 or 7.

There were a couple of Baton Blues in the same place as the Black-eyed Blue, enjoying the thyme.

And of course there were several Spanish Festoons.

Other butterflies seen were several Orange-tips and Brimstones, a couple of Wall Browns, a couple of Green Hairstreaks, several Wood Whites and many Berger's Clouded Yellows.

I also found this Libelloides coccajus. I think it must have just emerged from pupation (if that is the word), as it showed no sign of flying away.

--
Colin