www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Thistle patches, both large and small, were a magnet for feeding butterflies in the Montes Universales. Large thistle beds were dripping with familiar and unfamiliar species, so this is the habitat we will look at next. Here is the habitat. Thanks David, yes, I just managed it. A visit a week or so later would be productive, though this might be at the expense of other butterfly species.

More fantastic sights Essex really looking forward to the next instalment
Have a goodun

Wurzel

Coming right up, Wurzel!

When I took this picture I thought it was Bergers Clouded Yellow, but it may be helice CY. Great Banded Grayling were seen in many places, but reached their greatest numbers on the thistles. Esper’s Marbled White were much scarcer than Iberian Marbled White, with only a few seen. We’ve already seen Rock Grayling but here is another, feeding from the thistles. Black-veined Whites were coming to the end of their flight period, so I was pleased to find a couple, their wings almost transparent.

More cracking stuff Essex I reckon your Cloudy could be a Berger's as I was under the impression that Helice looked white on the fore wing and yellow on the underside whereas your one seems to have the same tone top and bottom as it were? But then I accept that I have very limited experience of this species

Have a goodun

Wurzel

The magnificent Cardinal Fritillary was here in good numbers, giving plenty of photo opportunities and completely dwarfing the nearby SWF’s and High Browns. Here is a Twin-spot Fritillary. I always like to see the Cleopatra, and a couple were feeding here, among many Brimstones. The Spanish Chestnut Heath was here, too, as well as in other places. And lastly for now, a Swallowtail. We saw them most days, but this one briefly paused for nectar.

Lovely Butterflies essex, great shot of the Swallow Tail, Goldie

More class butterflies Essex I like the fact that the Twin Ppot Fritillary has been given a sensible name, a Cuprinol name even; twin spots with twin spots

Have a goodun

Wurzel

The last habitat in Espana is the watery one. Ponds, lakes, rivers and streams. One of the greatest pleasures of butterflies in Europe is the gathering of mud-pudlers. Whites, Blues and Skippers in particular do this, but Fritillaries, Browns and others sometimes gather at damp mud as well. Here is one of the sites we visited. Here is a group picture, showing Oburther’s Anomolous Blues among others. Chapmans Blues were common at some mud sites.

Here is a group of mud-puddling Azure Chalkhill Blues. And these are Scarce Swallowtails, now given specific species status by some, the Southern Scarce Swallowtail.

Just when I think the envy-o-meter can't go any higher... Love the shot of the Chapmans', there's even a sneaky Common in there to allow comparison of the underside

Have a goodun

Wurzel

WoW! essex, fantastic shots, Goldie

Where did you see that Twin Spot, Mark? All the ones I got close to looked way past their best.

Nice Cardinal too. It’s a tricky species to photograph because it’s so huge it fills your viewfinder!!

I reckon your ‘possible’ helice is Berger’s, as the former has distinctive hindwing margins that aren’t visible on this particular specimen.

You must go there, Wurzel-you’ll be amazed. All you have to do is persuade Mrs. Wurzel it’s in her interest, too...

Thanks Goldie, we had a fabulous time, glad you are enjoying the pictures.

I agree, David. Helice CY is usually off-white too, this was lemon yellow so I think a male. The white spots in the black wingtips threw me.

The Twin-spot was at the Zapater’s site, but further down the track to the left, in those meadows.

So, we come to my last round of pictures from the Montes Universales. To sum up, this little known area was not on my radar until recently, but if anyone is thinking of going I would thoroughly recommend it. Quiet roads, peaceful surroundings and reliable weather make it a great destination for the butterfly lover and sun seeker alike!

Here is a Long-tailed Blue, seen in low numbers in places. Here is a mud-puddling group of mainly Cinquefoil Skippers. And, to finish off, here are a few more mud puddlers. Enjoy!

Ah, now you've come to the crux of the problem Essex Mind you with scenes like those I'm going to have to come up with a pretty good sales pitch

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Fabulous, Mark. What a week it was! I don't think I've ever seen so many butterflies 'puddling' and I guess that's down to how few and far between damp sites occur in this part of Spain.

There was so much going on I couldn't even justify taking an image of Long Tailed Blue (mainly because Spanish Purple Hairstreak was around simultaneously).

A few more Zapater's Ringlets would have been nice, but you can't have everything!

How many Butterflies can you cram in a frame ?. A question you've just answered !.
Love the Chestnut Heath shot.

Trevor.

Thanks everyone, and I’m glad to have given just a glimpse into what is available in this part of Spain. It was certainly a fabulous week! In contrast...


DORSET 2018.

Shortly after returning from Spain, we headed off to our annual trip to the isle of Purbeck, Dorset. The weather could hardly have been more different to ESP, and in recent years our holiday there has been bedevilled by cloud, rain and low temperatures. We even went a month earlier last year in an attempt to break the cycle, but it was little better then!

This time, of the six days we spent in Dorset, the first three were washed out by wind and rain. Staying just five minutes walk from Lulworth Cove, I usually like to take an early morning walk up Bindon Hill. But this year, only one day was remotely suitable, and there was precious little up there, though this lovely Chalkhill Blue lifted my spirits.

That's a lovely Chalkhill Blue essex, Goldie

That is indeed a cracking Chalkhill Essex I know what you mean about the 'come down' from the holiday, it's not only the weather though I reckon you're suffering from butterfly-lag

Have a goodun

Wurzel

On another day, on the hill opposite Bindon, I found a couple of Common Blues.