What's flying in Marseilles 2015
- Charles Nicol
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Re: What's flying in Marseilles 2015
have just caught up with your most recent sets of pics. The Spanish Gatekeeper and the False Ilex were especially formidable !
the spider was amazing.
keep 'em coming !
PS hope your shirt works with the GBGs. they especially liked my red stripy shirt.
Charles
the spider was amazing.
keep 'em coming !
PS hope your shirt works with the GBGs. they especially liked my red stripy shirt.
Charles
- Chris Jackson
- Posts: 1929
- Joined: Mon May 06, 2013 6:35 am
- Location: Marseilles, France
Re: What's flying in Marseilles 2015
Nice shirt, Charles, I'll have a word with my stylist.
Today, June 10th, down in the Olive Grove next to my office
After the thunderstorms of these last couple of days, the temperature has dropped back from 30+ to 25°C.
Here are some pics of Glanville caterpillars in their silk web, feeding on plantain: Also flying, Holly Blue Marbled Frit Marbled White and plenty of Meadow Brown, False Ilex, Dusky Heath, Cleopatras, blues .. whites ... and a sudden large resurgence of Wall Browns.
Cheers, Chris
Today, June 10th, down in the Olive Grove next to my office
After the thunderstorms of these last couple of days, the temperature has dropped back from 30+ to 25°C.
Here are some pics of Glanville caterpillars in their silk web, feeding on plantain: Also flying, Holly Blue Marbled Frit Marbled White and plenty of Meadow Brown, False Ilex, Dusky Heath, Cleopatras, blues .. whites ... and a sudden large resurgence of Wall Browns.
Cheers, Chris
- Chris Jackson
- Posts: 1929
- Joined: Mon May 06, 2013 6:35 am
- Location: Marseilles, France
Re: What's flying in Marseilles 2015
South of France - hot and sweaty 33°C
This week I had my first sighting of a Southern Gatekeeper this season, and today my first photo: also flying, Brown Argus in this place, near work in Vitrolles Earlier in the week on my home patch in Marseilles:
Silver-studded blue False Ilex Hairstreak Pair of Spanish Gatekeepers and a spider in my local park In the garden:
Geranium Bronze (groggy, probably because it had received a blast of insecticide from the neighbour who is furious about these "pests" on his geraniums) There are definitely less GBs in my garden this year than last.
Chris
This week I had my first sighting of a Southern Gatekeeper this season, and today my first photo: also flying, Brown Argus in this place, near work in Vitrolles Earlier in the week on my home patch in Marseilles:
Silver-studded blue False Ilex Hairstreak Pair of Spanish Gatekeepers and a spider in my local park In the garden:
Geranium Bronze (groggy, probably because it had received a blast of insecticide from the neighbour who is furious about these "pests" on his geraniums) There are definitely less GBs in my garden this year than last.
Chris
Last edited by Chris Jackson on Thu Jun 11, 2015 1:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: What's flying in Marseilles 2015
Hi Chris,
Tell me about pesticides !! Don't worry if your neighbour uses them, he's also getting his dose of neonicotinoids...
There is an urge also for the public to sign the petition against the lifting of the ban of these powerful pesticicdes in the UK which is due to take place in the autumn.
Already 300 000 people have signed the petition and it is advised to email your MP also and state your views. The focus is on bees but there are also a lot of other pollinators out there (hoverflies, wasps and butterflies).
You can see (and sign if you haven’t already!) the petition here:
https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/keep-the-ban
Sylvie
Tell me about pesticides !! Don't worry if your neighbour uses them, he's also getting his dose of neonicotinoids...
There is an urge also for the public to sign the petition against the lifting of the ban of these powerful pesticicdes in the UK which is due to take place in the autumn.
Already 300 000 people have signed the petition and it is advised to email your MP also and state your views. The focus is on bees but there are also a lot of other pollinators out there (hoverflies, wasps and butterflies).
You can see (and sign if you haven’t already!) the petition here:
https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/keep-the-ban
Sylvie
Re: What's flying in Marseilles 2015
Thanks for bringing that to our attention, Sylvie. I thought we'd left all this hardcore poison behind us?
Petition duly signed.
Petition duly signed.
Re: What's flying in Marseilles 2015
Thanks David.
Sylvie
Sylvie
- Charles Nicol
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- Location: Cambridge
Re: What's flying in Marseilles 2015
Moi aussiSylvie_h wrote:Thanks David.
Sylvie
- Chris Jackson
- Posts: 1929
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- Location: Marseilles, France
Re: What's flying in Marseilles 2015
I have been absent from my local stomping ground in Marseilles for a week due to 'obligations' in the Pyrenees.
As soon as I got back I noted that the Great Banded Grayling and the Grayling are present in Marseilles - a sure sign of summer: Cheers, Chris
As soon as I got back I noted that the Great Banded Grayling and the Grayling are present in Marseilles - a sure sign of summer: Cheers, Chris
- Chris Jackson
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- Location: Marseilles, France
Re: What's flying in Marseilles 2015
I would like to share this upperside shot I managed 10 days ago.
Its lacking some clarity and is heavily cropped - I'm aiming for better : (Panasonic FZ150)
An ID for this skipper please ? Cheers, Chris
Its lacking some clarity and is heavily cropped - I'm aiming for better : (Panasonic FZ150)
An ID for this skipper please ? Cheers, Chris
Re: What's flying in Marseilles 2015
Your Cleopatra image is pretty sharp, Chris. Well done.
As for your skipper, I'm not certain but its apparent small size and extended abdomen shouts 'Lulworth' at me, although I am probably wrong!
As for your skipper, I'm not certain but its apparent small size and extended abdomen shouts 'Lulworth' at me, although I am probably wrong!
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Re: What's flying in Marseilles 2015
The Skipper is for sure a T. acteon ( Lulworth Skipper)
- Chris Jackson
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- Location: Marseilles, France
Re: What's flying in Marseilles 2015
Thank you David and John,
I think I've come to the conclusion that, amongst the 'orangies', I only have Lulworth and Small in my neck of the woods.
I suppose my Cleopatra is 'relatively' sharp, David, considering the bridge camera I use - imagine the results if I was kitted out with more 'professional' gear, and if I knew how to use it
You yourself David have had some good in-flight upperside shots.
Cheers, Chris
I think I've come to the conclusion that, amongst the 'orangies', I only have Lulworth and Small in my neck of the woods.
I suppose my Cleopatra is 'relatively' sharp, David, considering the bridge camera I use - imagine the results if I was kitted out with more 'professional' gear, and if I knew how to use it
You yourself David have had some good in-flight upperside shots.
Cheers, Chris
- Charles Nicol
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Re: What's flying in Marseilles 2015
Great Cleopatra pic there Chris !cjackson wrote:I would like to share this upperside shot I managed 10 days ago.
Its lacking some clarity and is heavily cropped - I'm aiming for better : (Panasonic FZ150)
An ID for this skipper please ? Cheers, Chris
i have just booked my hols in France
Charles
- NickMorgan
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Re: What's flying in Marseilles 2015
Yes, I would be very happy with a Cleopatra shot like that! Looks great to me.
- Chris Jackson
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- Location: Marseilles, France
Re: What's flying in Marseilles 2015
A gastronomic butterflying holiday, Charles ? My tummy is rumbling already !!Charles Nicol wrote: ... i have just booked my hols in France Charles
Nick, have you made plans to get away butterflying this summer (farther South) ?
26th June - 31°C and the odd cloud (fortunately)
Today I moved inland and uphill from Marseilles. Fifty minutes drive and at an altitude of 650 meters everything changes.
I visited Plan d'Aups which is on the border between the Bouches du Rhone and the Var.
Any confirmation of ID is welcome.
I saw what I think is a Niobe Fritillary - rare for me ! Context - Plan d'Aups Not sure of this blue (Blue No. 1): Silver-washed Frit f. valezina (very chuffed to have seen one, although Colin in the Alpes Maritimes sees many more than me and manages much clearer photos) Now here is a scoop, if I'm not wrong this may be a Spanish Purple Hairstreak !!! Wow, a lifer for me Context Blue ? (Blue No. 2) (unders and uppers) Southern White Admiral Another lifer - Ilex Hairstreak
This may be the first time I've found my usual 'Marseilles' False Ilex Hairstreak in the same environment as an Ilex Hairstreak
ilisis ?? esculi ?? Which skipper please ? My first Pearly Heath here in the South (I usually only see Dusky Heaths) What a fun day !!
Apart from that, 20+ other species that I ignored because I see them down in Marseilles. So much to see, so little time.
Cheers, Chris
- Padfield
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Re: What's flying in Marseilles 2015
Hi Chris. Your blues are escheri. I'm afraid the ilicis is in fact spini - so not a lifer! Sorry ... Yes to the esculi and niobe too - and roboris of course. No doubt with that one!
I thought that Cleopatra ups was a great shot!
Guy
EDIT - oh - and that skipper is large skipper.
I thought that Cleopatra ups was a great shot!
Guy
EDIT - oh - and that skipper is large skipper.
Guy's Butterflies: https://www.guypadfield.com
The Butterflies of Villars-Gryon : https://www.guypadfield.com/villarsgryonbook.html
The Butterflies of Villars-Gryon : https://www.guypadfield.com/villarsgryonbook.html
- Chris Jackson
- Posts: 1929
- Joined: Mon May 06, 2013 6:35 am
- Location: Marseilles, France
Re: What's flying in Marseilles 2015
Thanks Guy,
I guess you are right about spini, I was getting over-excited.
Ah well.
Still, pretty chuffed with the Spanish Purple Hairstreak (pointed in the right direction by Roger !!)
As for my Cleopatra ups photo - glad I can make my contribution (apporter ma pierre à l'edifice) as we say
Cheers, Chris
I guess you are right about spini, I was getting over-excited.
Ah well.
Still, pretty chuffed with the Spanish Purple Hairstreak (pointed in the right direction by Roger !!)
As for my Cleopatra ups photo - glad I can make my contribution (apporter ma pierre à l'edifice) as we say
Cheers, Chris
Re: What's flying in Marseilles 2015
Well done on the Spanish Purple Hairstreak, Chris.
Great find.
Great find.
- Charles Nicol
- Posts: 1602
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- Location: Cambridge
Re: What's flying in Marseilles 2015
you have been busy Chris !
i especially liked your valezina... a splendid pic.
i shall be enjoying the délices visibles of the Aude again. looks like i can practice during next week's heatwave !
Charles
i especially liked your valezina... a splendid pic.
i shall be enjoying the délices visibles of the Aude again. looks like i can practice during next week's heatwave !
Charles
- Chris Jackson
- Posts: 1929
- Joined: Mon May 06, 2013 6:35 am
- Location: Marseilles, France
Re: What's flying in Marseilles 2015
Thanks, David, but an upperside shot is essential, and they don't seem very willing !!David M wrote: ... Well done on the Spanish Purple Hairstreak ...
A challenge met is always replaced by another challenge.
Today, once again, I moved north-east out of Marseilles and into the Var, to the Plan d'Aups, and more importantly, close to the mountain of the Sainte Baume. This mountain and its surrounds, is host to 137 species out of the 256 species of butterflies found in France.
I saw 20+ species in the space of 2 hours. Here are just a couple of pics of the prime species seen:
Spanish Purple Hairstreak: and the plant that attracts it, and that was buzzing with many other insects, Rhus coriania - Sumac: Nettle Tree Butterfly: High Brown Fritillary ? (uppers and unders): Context - near Plan d'Aups I'll spare you pics of the common cleopatra, didyma, icarus, spini, podalirius, crocea, paphia, jurtina, argiolus, niobe, daphne, arcania, reducta, esculi, phlaeas, machaon, escheri, alphacariensis.........
Temperatures should be hitting 40°C here next week, I'd rather be in the UK
Cheers, Chris