A week in Najac, in the Aveyron, France

[Chris Jackson]

Hi folks.
Here we are for a week's holiday in the Aveyron départment, in France.
We are staying in the medieval village of Najac, in the middle of nowhere:

It is cloudy and rainy but mild with sunny spells, and during one of these spells I managed to find a spot in an overgrown field that attracts Sooty Copper - a new species for me. The conditions were such that I managed to get male and female upperside and underside views in just one photo session.
male:

male:

female:

female:

Abandoned overgrown field with Sooty Coppers:

Grassy patches within the overgrown field, about 8 meters in diameter, each patrolled by a male Sooty Copper.

However, here is the problem, I also spotted this butterfly which intrigues me. It was in the same field as the Sooty Coppers, and was the same size as them. At a first glance the markings reminded me of a Small Copper, but this individual was as big as a Sooty. Could it be an oversize Small Copper, or an aberrant Sooty Copper? It was BIG compared to those Small Coppers I usually see in the Med . Comments welcome:

Cheers, Chris

[David M]

Small Coppers vary in size, Chris. I've seen tiny ones and I've also seen large ones.

At Glasdrum Wood last May I saw a Small Copper so big that I initially thought it was a Cinnabar moth!

What's interesting is how scanty the markings are on this individual for a southern French phlaeas. Usually, they're much bolder than their UK counterparts.

[Chris Jackson]

Hi David,
The markings are scanty, however I will class this individual as a Small Copper.
Thanks,
Chris

[Charles Nicol]

an excellent read Chris ! i look forward to seeing more pics of the unfeasibly large butterflies of Najac

[Chris Jackson]

an excellent read Chris ! i look forward to seeing more pics of the unfeasibly large butterflies of Najac

Hi there Charles,
Regarding the "Small" Copper above, I think that the butterflies in this region must feed very well to reach such a size .

(Talking about feeding well, tomorrow, instead of self-catering, we humans hope to be eating out and feasting on local Canard confit (duck) and 'aligot'. Miam miam!!. ).

Meanwhile, in the same abandoned field as the Sooty Coppers above, I think I've found Heath Fritillaries although I'm not 100% sure:
1st individual - male ?:

I don't remember but this underside possibly belongs to the 1st individual :

2nd individual - female ?:

This is the Château of Najac, overlooking the medieval village near where we are staying:

More about 'aligot' tomorrow .
Cheers, Chris

[Padfield]

I would say those are both male heath fritillaries.

Guy

[Chris Jackson]

Thanks Guy.
One individual appears a little darker than the other, though I admit there is little in it.
I must try other spots in the vicinity tomorrow whilst the weather holds.
Cheers, Chris

[David M]

If Heath Fritillaries are just emerging, Chris, I expect you to be almost sick of the sight of them in a few days.

They really are beyond ubiquitous in southern France come late spring and through early to mid summer.

[Charles Nicol]

am really enjoying these pics. is that a river below the village ?

i had aligot in Montpellier... it certainly fills you up

Charles

[Chris Jackson]

Hi David,
Yesterday the Heath Fritillaries were certainly in number and 'getting in the way' slightly, along with the Glanvilles.

Yes, Charles,
The Château of Najac is situated in a meander of the Aveyron river and is protected on nearly all sides by it. A train line also runs alongside the river. I recommend a visit to the top of the tower with the view all around .

Well that about wraps up our week in Najac. The only remarkable species of butterfly for me were the Sooty Copper and Heath Fritillary . Apart from that I saw Small Copper, Small Heath, Common Blue, Glanville, Wood White, Wall, 1 Swallowtail + 1 Scarce Swallowtail = nothing out of the ordinary for France. I was hoping for something more exotic in this area, but this was only 1 week out of a whole season .

Small Heath:

Eating out for the gourmets - this is for Charles :
Starters - Salade de Gésiers (duck's stomach salad):

Mains - Canard confit (duck) and aligot
(aligot is basically mashed spuds with left-over cheese mixed in (no wasted cheese) - this, amongst others, is what gives the people of the Aveyron their national reputation of being 'very close to their money').

Pud - Croustillade aux pommes (apple tart):

Can't wait to get back to Marseilles and see what's new on the BF scene - Meadow Browns should be out now .
Cheers, Chris

[Charles Nicol]

thanks for the foodie pics Chris !

i came across Salade de Gésiers in Carcassonne... unusual

aligot is nice with a crisp white wine ?

the apple croustillade looks scrumptieux

hope to see some more of your butterflies soon

Charles

[Tony Moore]

Most French supermarkets carry tinned confit de gesiers (gizzards to them as speaks English). They are very cheap and absolutely delicious. Always worth bringing a couple of tins back .

Antoine M.

[David M]

Much as I love France, these are definitely not on my shopping list.