www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

selbypaul wrote: ↑Fri Apr 15, 2022 1:42 pm You've managed to find more time than me since our return on Monday to post on here about the amazing species we saw!

Despite relatively low numbers of individual butterflies, those we did see were very special, even to someone like me who has visited other nearby parts of Greece twice before, both in June!

Working from home allows me a fair bit of latitude, Paul!

The species range was excellent (the best ever for this tour), but as you say for many of the butterflies seen, only low numbers were recorded. That seems to be the case almost everywhere these days, sadly. Just shows how tenuous many populations are throughout Europe.

The next butterfly was, for me, the best moment of the trip, and it happened by accident when we stopped on a hairpin bend on the way up to the Nestos viewing point to take a closer look at this large bird of prey that was hovering fairly close to the hillside:
I can't remember what the others said it was, but I was very grateful to it as it led to a sighting of a butterfly I doubted I'd ever see.

Notable species - Eastern Greenish Black Tip

This rare species had never been recorded on this trip prior to this year, and I largely dismissed the chances of it turning up this time. However, after watching the above raptor, we were admiring the views towards the coast and the island of Thassos in the distance, when suddenly a small, yellowish butterfly started buzzing around us:
It seemed very interested in the vans that were parked nearby, and at one stage even briefly flew inside one. Eventually, it came down a few times (but never for long) and gave us all the chance to take a few images of a rarely seen butterfly:
Another one was seen at the viewing point itself a few hundred metres further up, although this one was impossible to photograph as it flew continually through the scrub.

I think the last time I experienced such elation at seeing a butterfly was when I saw my first Violet Copper a few years ago. This was an unexpected and wholly serendipitous moment, and a great addition to the evening's butterfly checklist!!

The Eastern Greenish Black Tip was indeed a really special butterfly. Like you, I thought I'd never see this one, or it would be one of the "final 50" still on my "To See" list in around 10 years time. But thanks to those who wanted to photograph the raptor, we had this amazing sighting.

Subsequent to seeing it, I looked up the latest Greece distribution maps from Lazaros Pamperis and it had been seen before where we saw it, but its the further east location in the whole of Greece, and quite isolated from the main population.

Thanks, Paul. Yes, it was a sighting to rival helle and zapateri, and its behaviour was fascinating too. I'm glad we didn't shut the van door when it flew inside briefly - it settled several times after it had investigated things before going on its way.

Notable species - Powdered Brimstone

Have to thank Mr Selby for this one, as it was he that pursued it up a hill whereupon it settled and he beckoned us over.

Hard to know how many of them are around due to its close resemblance to the rhamni Brimstone, but when close it seemed a little larger and a touch paler.

Hesperiidae

Just 3 of this family seen, and all in fairly low numbers:

1. Dingy Skipper
2. Grizzled Skipper
3. Mallow Skipper

Papilionidae

Apart from the dozens of False Apollos and 5 Eastern Festoons, there were also small numbers of both Swallowtails and Scarce Swallowtails (neither reaching double figures). In addition, there were 30-50 Southern Festoons seen over the course of the week:
4. Southern Festoon
5. Eastern Festoon
6. False Apollo
7. Swallowtail
8. Scarce Swallowtail

Your bird of prey was a Short-Toed Eagle. Roughly buzzard sized and frequently hovers. Nice shot!

Thanks, Pettsfb. I recall someone saying Short-Toed Eagle at the time but I soon forgot after the surprise appearance by the Eastern Greenish Black Tip.

Short-Toed Eagle, Col de Tourmel, 12-09-2014 The mention of the Short-Toed Eagle brought back good memories of a visit to the Col de Tourmalet,  it is also a very good location for butterflies. also seen on the visit , coming towards me a low flying Bearded Vulture ,Lammergeier or Gypaète Barbu in my haste to get to my 500 lens I tripped and fell (many expletives) and missed the shot of a lifetime, however at the Col du Soulor, better luck, a magnificent Booted Eagle
numerous Griffon Vultures and migrating Black Storks, this Col is famous as a migration observation point
I have hopes of returning this year, if all goes well. La Vallée d'Ossau,falaise aux vultures.
Vulturs party, a short video
https://jamesgibbs6929.zenfolio.com/p72 ... #h5dbd60d5
https://jamesgibbs6929.zenfolio.com

Thanks for the images, Jim. Nice to see what these birds look like.

Pieridae

This trip was something of a Pierid-fest, with plenty of them getting their spring broods underway.

One we saw very regularly was Eastern Dappled White, which is usually extremely flighty. However, on the first full day it was cloudy and cool, and when the sun tried to break through in the afternoon we found this one which was largely becalmed:
I saw Eastern Pale Clouded Yellow and Mountain Small White, but was unable to get images (although others did). I also saw this:
It clearly wasn't something we had recorded earlier in the trip, so I asked Lazaros Pamperis if he could provide an ID. He duly informed me that it was a male Eastern Bath White, the only one knowingly seen on the tour.

Possibly the commonest species was Clouded Yellow. There were hundreds of them during the week. On the final morning, I spotted one that was an unusual colour so I trapped it in my plastic vial. It seems to be a helice but the upper forewings are a curious, pale yellow colour rather than the usual silvery-grey:
Lots of Orange Tips encountered, and as ever, when they settle it's hard to resist taking a shot or two:
9. Wood White
10. Eastern Wood White
11. Orange Tip
12. Gruner's Orange Tip
13. Eastern Dappled White
14. Eastern Greenish Black Tip
15. Large White
16. Small White
17. Green Veined White
18. Southern Small White
19. Mountain Small White
20. Eastern Bath White
21. Clouded Yellow
22. Berger's Clouded Yellow
23. Eastern Pale Clouded Yellow
24. Brimstone
25. Powdered Brimstone

Glad you had it confirmed as Eastern Bath White, David.

For two reasons! Firstly, I was 99% confident it was that species, and I'd have been gutted if my ID skills had been so out of sorts. Secondly, had I found out I'd missed out on seeing Small Bath White, despite that individual butterfly you photographed having flown past me, I'd have been sick!

Show's the value of "snapping" moving butterflies on sports mode. I may have to try that technique myself sometime.

That abbarent clouded yellow is probably ab/form aubuissoni. I had one at Newhaven Tidemills several years ago which I spent the best part of an hour trying to get an upperside in flight shot. The spots along her forewing margin look unusual too though!

https://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/album_p ... p?id=16571

selbypaul wrote: ↑Mon Apr 18, 2022 10:46 am Glad you had it confirmed as Eastern Bath White, David.

For two reasons! Firstly, I was 99% confident it was that species, and I'd have been gutted if my ID skills had been so out of sorts. Secondly, had I found out I'd missed out on seeing Small Bath White, despite that individual butterfly you photographed having flown past me, I'd have been sick!

Show's the value of "snapping" moving butterflies on sports mode. I may have to try that technique myself sometime.

I was rather hoping it was chlorodice, Paul, but we can't have everything!!

Lazaros Pamperis very kindly explained why it was edusa, and he also mentioned that seeing Dalmatian Ringlet at such low altitude wasn't something he'd ever seen himself. Useful when you can correspond with someone of his knowledge and experience.

As for 'sports mode', it's a little hit and miss, but if you take a few images you generally get one or two that show the butterfly fairly clearly. You could also film it on your mobile phone if you were close to the butterfly.

bugboy wrote: ↑Mon Apr 18, 2022 11:53 am That abbarent clouded yellow is probably ab/form aubuissoni. I had one at Newhaven Tidemills several years ago which I spent the best part of an hour trying to get an upperside in flight shot. The spots along her forewing margin look unusual too though!

https://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/album_p ... p?id=16571

Thanks for that link, Paul. I agree the submarginal markings are bizarre too. Probably the strangest Clouded Yellow I've ever seen!

Lycaenidae - Coppers and Hairstreaks

Bit early in the season for these, but the Grecian Coppers were extremely welcome:

26. Grecian Copper
27. Small Copper
28. Green Hairstreak

Lycaenidae - Blues

Again, not too many of these about given how early in the season it was. I did see a couple of Eastern Baton Blues, but I could only get this blurred image:
On the final couple of days, Green Underside Blues put in an appearance:
29. Small Blue
30. Holly Blue
31. Eastern Baton Blue
32. Green Underside Blue
33. Brown Argus
34. Mazarine Blue
35. Chapman's Blue
36. Common Blue

Nymphalidae - Satyrids

Not too many of these about. Speckled Woods were fairly scarce, and Small Heaths were only seen in one location, which was also where the Wall Brown, Large Wall Brown and Dalmatian Ringlet were seen:

37. Speckled Wood
38. Wall Brown
39. Large Wall Brown
40. Small Heath
41. Dalmatian Ringlet