www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Absolutely fabulous stuff Bugboy Those POTs are so vivid they almost seem faked And I know what you mean about the continental Specklie - you could almost be forgiven for mistaking them for Walls Looking forward tot eh next installment in eager anticipation

Have a goodun

Wurzel

ps The idea of an extension didn't pass the mustard either, the "No" was quite emphatic and would probably require a small Bungalow for there to be any shift

You might want to look away now then Max
There's some great stuff out there isn't there Trevor, and a great place to go and kick start the season early too
Thanks Wurzel, and wait no longer, here is the next instalment

Spain, March 2019 part 2 cont.

18th March
More Speckled Woods were enjoying the dappled light of the path before it opened out into a meadow with some patchy scrub. Several Festoons frolicked here with occasional skirmishes and Provence Orange-tips patrolled along the edge of the scrubby areas so whilst my friend sat down in the sun and read a book I went exploring. I was hoping for some new species, some Marbled White perhaps or some Blues but none seemed to be around. I did catch sight of my one and only female Provence Orange-tip of the trip but she never sat long enough for a snap. There was however some excellent avian action going on above my head, and unlike the previous day, significantly closer . Griffin Vultures are seriously big birds but impressively, barely flap to stay air born.

We stayed here for around an hour or so but it was now getting rather warm and most the butterflies were too active for pictures. Also a group of very frisky horses had appeared who seemed very surprised to find strange people in their field, it clearly was a very rare occurrence for them. I did find a rather large grasshopper nymph before we left though. We continued along the path which didn’t go much further before turning into what looked like some sort of driveway towards some buildings and since we were starting to get a bit peckish for something more substantial than the snacks we had we turned to make our way back to the car. Almost immediately something small flitting to one side caught my eye. Another Provence Hairstreak. This one in very good nick and a right little stunner and easily identifiable as a female, the large orange splodges on the upperside of the female are clearly visible in flight. She sat well and allowed for close approach as she flitted from flower to flower. After a few minutes I left her but the return journey proved rather fruitful for them with another 3 turning up sporadically. I suspect a more careful walk along this track would find them to be rather numerous. Also turning up for a brief appearance was my first Blue. It was tiny, about the size of your average Small Blue but I suspect it was just a very small Southern Blue P. Celina, still a new species for me though . We ended the day in Algeciras where, late in the day we found another area that looked worth exploring, Parque del Centenario, which sticks out from the city looking across the bay at Gibraltar. Here, as it seems everywhere else, Spanish Festoons could be found and no, I was still far from bored of them! There were other butterflies here too, lycids of some kind and perhaps more than one species but I never got more than a fleeting glance of any so no hope of identifying them unfortunately.

I did however manage to stalk up on a couple of Gecko’s, I think they were the Moorish Gecko Tarentola mauritanica. The little red dots between the toes are mites.

More fantastic and tantalising stuff Bugboy I was tempted to say that the Griffon was the wow factor of this report but then you revisit the Provence Hairstreak

Have a goodun

Wurzel

What can I say, BB? Breathless stuff.

The raptor sequence is mightily impressive and you've a couple of other interesting critters there too!

I'm glad you caught up with Provence Hairstreak; it's a fascinating little butterfly, isn't it?

I note Guy Padfield saw Monarchs in southern Spain a few days ago. Did you spot any?

Fantastic shots Buggy and I've really fell for that two in one Butterfly, the Provence Hair streak Goldie

Thanks Wurzel, it's impossible to pick a highlight to be honest, there was just too much going on
Thanks David, it is a great little butterfly, I'm glad I stumbled across a site where they seemed to be quite numerous . I couldn't possibly say whether I did or didn't see any monarchs though, don't want to spoil the saga for everyone
Thanks Goldie, it's perfectly understandable, they are a very pretty little thing

Spain, March 2019 part 3

19th March
A new day, a new destination. We decided to go into the mountains today and look for the Great Malaga Path. A section passes near a town called Casares so that was where we headed. Vultures were a regular feature in the early morning misty skies and it was decidedly chilly when we arrived, just in time to find the town waking up. The narrow streets proved to rather challenging as we drove around looking for a parking spot in our rental 4X4 but somehow my friend managed to navigate the maze without a scratch and find a café to have a light breakfast at. We had seen one plaque on the wall stating the Great Malaga Path was somewhere but where we couldn’t say. A look on google maps gave us some ideas but we didn’t really now where we were heading as we wandered out of town. After 10 minutes we found what looked like a path leading off to one side and in the absence of anything more obvious we took it. It was still quite chilly so I took to looking for roosting butterflies, finding none but up on some crags the vultures were having a meeting to discuss where best to find some dead things . After 10 minutes or so the path opened out next to an orange orchard and diverged in two directions. One path was (sort of) fenced off, the other seemed to climb higher into the hills and had some green and white markers painted onto some rocks along the side. We found out (well my friend found out) from a chap working in the orchard that the owners of the fenced off path hadn’t been seen for years and since the fence was in a certain amount of disrepair, we thought we’d have a little nose around up there. Within seconds I noticed a couple of roosting Provence Orange-tips. It was mostly cloudy with the occasional sunny spell and just like our own Orange-tips their wings opened and closed in unison with the ever-changing light levels. The path didn’t go very far and opened out into a mini plateau where I found some rather pretty blue Orchids. During a brief sunny spell a small coppery butterfly turned up, just a Small Copper but still nice to see. We also found a roosting Festoon who provided a very amenable subject . After a sit down and light snack we set off to explore the other path, stopping halfway down when I spotted a Blue of some sort flitting around an unknown legume. From the behaviour I surmised it was a female but of what species I had no idea. Landing and basking didn’t give my inexperienced eyes many clues either, it was only when I got a view of the underside that I concluded I was looking at my first Black-eyed Blue . Just a few paces down a few Speckled Wood (got it right this time) were busy fighting before both settling up on the bank to the side. I managed to clamber up to get a better look at where they were basking and I’m glad I made the effort when I found this one waiting for me Tbc (with some more lifers still to come )

A cool, misty morning is sometimes just what you need to get close to the flightier species. You were right to check for roosting Provence Orange Tips. They are often to be found on the buckler’s mustard plants just like our OTs can be reliably seen on cuckoo flower.

Black-Eyed Blue for sure, BB, and that’s not a species you’ll see in too many places!

I’m looking forward to your next posting….I have a feeling there could be something very interesting!

bugboy wrote:

NickMorgan wrote:You're getting me excited. Only 18 days till we're off to Malaga!

I can pm you some specific site details when I get home later if you're interested?

That would be fantastic, if you wouldn't mind. We will be staying at Alora, about 45km north west of Malaga. I was thinking about going to Torcal de Antequera. This will be the first time we have been there at this time of year. We have visited Alora four times previously, but always in July because of school holidays. Now that the kids have left home we have the luxury of choosing when we go away! Previously, I have never found anywhere other than small areas close to the village and, of course, my pilgrimage to the Sierra Nevada!

Spain, March 2019 part 3 cont

19th March
It had warmed up considerably since we’d arrived and the Orange-tips were now all in full blown patrol mode as we started the climb up the second path. I’ve done a bit of research since returning and apparently we were on the Crestería de Sierra Crestellina del Cerro de Las Chapas al Sierra de Casares (Roughly translated “a walk up the little mountain that sits at the foot of the big mountain next to Casares Town”).
In the shadier areas Speckled Wood flitted around and in the open parts we found more Black-eyed Blue, mostly males far to active to photograph, a Painted Lady also too active, and the occasional Festoon. Layers were shed as we climbed, the day was warming up nicely. Lunch time arrived as we came across a building, Refugio de Sierra Crestellina, all locked up but there were some benches in the shade. It was set under a ridge which the ever present Vultures were using to catch thermals, at times they glided in from their ‘hunting’ over the plains so low you could almost reach up and touch them! Also up on the peak I noticed a tiny dot that kept flitting back and forth. The resulting image has been brutally cropped and severely processed but I’m pretty sure it was a Blue Rock Thrush, an avian lifer for me. After we’d rested a bit and eaten we continued our climb, aiming for a viewpoint we’d found on google maps, Mirador de Cosalba. We were about 2000 feet now, I think our starting point when we left the road was a little over 1000 feet. Anyway the views were pretty damn spectacular now even before the viewpoint! As we approached the viewpoint a few Specklies bounced along the path in front of us which, when we got to the viewpoint, I discovered were actually Walls, I should have twigged since the habitat was rather Wall friendly . I hoped this spot would be attractive for a spot of hilltopping, I did see something Skipperish buzz around but never land and then as I approached another Wall something very large and pale wafted up from under my feet. How on earth I hadn’t spotted an Iberian Scarce Swallowtail I have no idea but thankfully he wasn’t in any rush to leave the place. A few years ago I couldn’t have called it a lifer having seen Scarce Swallowtails in Slovenia but now it’s a separate species, on the tick list it goes . Shame he'd been slightly damaged but he was still mostly intact. A second did turn up at one point which lead to a brief aerial dogfight but this one was victorious and continued patrolling his domain.

The return walk was much the same with very little settling. A male Cleopatra passed by and settled briefly but was off again before I could train my lens on him, he looked in good nick though.

Back at the Orchard where we had started the walk I wanted another nose around the first path to see if the day had woken anything up. The copper was still lurking where I’d left him that morning but nothing else was around but then on the way back down the path I disturbed a couple of small brownish butterflies who were busy having a tussle. When they landed I realised I had some Green Hairstreaks on my hand, but what flavour were they It took a while to get close to either of them, and the best conditioned one did a runner after only a few shots but the other gradually allowed me to get closer, and based on the fluffy gingery head I do believe these were avis, the Chapman’s Green Hairstreak. Feel free to tell me I’m wrong though. It was time to head back to town to grab something to eat and head off before it got dark but safe to say, another great day walking in the wilds of Spain.

Loving your report, buggy! Your Provence Hairstreaks are to die for-I think they have now been elevated to the top of my European wish list! And a blue rock thrush, I saw those on Gibraltar a few years ago so I’m not surprised you have them there. Wish I was there! You get a thousand of these .

Absolutely stunning close up of the Festoon in the last post Bugboy Some of those butterflies are delectable but especially the Scarce Swallowtail - fantastic shots - hopefully I can catch up with that species later in the year...

Have a goodun

Wurzel

I've always thought the south of France was a good place to visit in April for spring butterflies, but it's abundantly clear that southern Spain is an option in March!

The joy you experienced transmits itself all through these posts, BB....and there's still more to come!

Very enjoyable reports BB, what a trip! Accompanied by some excellent shots, particularly of the Festoons.

Thanks Essex, I know what you mean, I'd happily go back just for them
Thanks Wurzel, fingers crossed for you on catching up with them, and whatever other local specialties that happen to lurk at your chosen destination.
Thanks David, The south of Spain does seem to be a good place to start the butterfly season off
Thanks Andrew, it's worth the trip, and out of season nice and cheap too

Spain, March 2019 part 4

20th March
This post is significantly shorter than previous ones owing to an unfortunate deterioration of weather conditions. The wind had picked up and would be a feature for the rest of the trip around the Gibraltar area. The day was also plagued by thick cloud so to find anything we had to go further afield. Whilst having a bite to eat before leaving Casares the previous day we got chatting to a local ex pat who recommended a few places to visit should we so desire. Castillo de Castellar sounded like an interesting place, a village set inside a medieval fortress and since it was only a slight detour on the way home from Casares we ended our day by having a wander round. I was most taken by a colony of Kestrel that were nesting in holes in one of the walls, I had no idea kestrels would colony breed. Anyway there seemed to be lots of good habitat around so we decided to visit the following day. There were a few breaks in the cloud but nowhere near enough to warm the air for some activity to take place so after an hour or so we decided to visit another recommendation, Bolonia which had some Roman Ruins to look at. Over here the sun was out but we were still blighted by the strong wind. There were some rather large green lizards lurking but each one scarped down it’s hole before I could get a shot off. A few Clouded Yellows fought bravely against the wind and a few birds were around but, apart from the ruins, what caught my eye here were some Larks, I’m pretty sure they were Crested Larks rather than Thekla Larks, but whatever species, another avian lifer . As we were leaving I saw a Festoon and rather than end the day with no butterfly pictures I recorded him/her for posterity. I suspect it was a her as it seemed to sniff out the one sprout of Aristolochia in a sea of dead grass Don't worry, things do liven up a bit again before we left Spain

This was still an enjoyable post Bugboy as it offered a little respite from the envy I had a look at the Lark and at first went for Thekla but then the longer ever so slightly hooked mandible suggested Crested so I'd go for that one, possibly, maybe - either way would be a lifer for me too and it was good to immerse myself in talk about coverts etc

Have a goodun

Wurzel

That second image is quite an eye-opener, BB. I had no idea it could be so green and lush down there!

Thanks Wurzel, sounds like we're on the same page, it was the bill that swung it for me too
I guess that greener spot catches a bit more rain than nearby areas David . The whole aea looked very green, just a shame I didn't have the weather to make the most of it

Spain, March 2019 part 5

21st March
In an effort to escape the near gale force winds in the general area where we were staying we went off to one of the places we’d planned to go from the start, Ronda. Up in the mountains it was decidedly chilly and it wasn’t helped by the rather stiff breeze, not quite gale force but still not particularly butterfly friendly. On the plus side we were blessed with a cloudless sky so perhaps if we could get out of the wind I might get lucky. We spent a bit of time being tourists, browsing shops and museums and looking at the spectacular scenery . The gorge which the town is famous for was particularly attractive to me due to the flock of Choughs which were playing in the wind. These birds would become a permanent fixture for the day. I rarely saw one touch down but I’m pretty sure I never saw one flap its wings once. As equally at home in the windy gorge were a small flock of Martins/Swifts. I couldn’t get close shots but looks like they were Pallid Swift. Once we’d done the touristy bit we went off to the old town looking for a path down the western side to some green areas. I kept hearing and getting fleeting glances of small yellow finches which, once I finally managed to get my lens on one, turned out to be Serin, and like the Chough they were common as muck too ! The wind was an easterly and the high cliff upon which the town sits had the desired effect. Out of the wind the temperature soured and butterflies were suddenly plentiful. Whites showed up first in a fenced off meadow, Small and Large positively identified, but I’m pretty sure other species were flying about too, just not close enough to see anything that might narrow down the ID. As we walked along a stone wall, something orange darted off and joined the Whites in the meadow. I was pretty sure it was a Wall but what species. I didn’t know whether Large Walls go this high but in the end I managed to get a clear view and it turned out to be a female of the standard model. It was by now the hottest part of the day so finding butterflies that were willing to sit still proved predictably difficult, but there was plenty of activity to observe. At the top of a steep grassy bank a hummingbird Hawkmoth buzzed me, an Iberian Scarce Swallowtail swooped and floated around and more whites flitted here and there. One in particular caught my eye, flitting close enough for me to know it would be another lifer, I just needed it to settle to know which lifer. And it did, only briefly but long enough to see the very distinctive pattern of a Green Striped White . At the bottom of the grassy bank I did a bit of off-roading and disturbed a couple of small dark butterflies which turned out to be some more of my old friends, Provence Hairstreak. These little things were just turning up everywhere it seemed ! Nearby sat a Small Copper, all it needed was a Green Hairstreak on the other side to give the Provence Hairstreak an identity crisis A Small White was also feeding down here so a few snaps were taken, just on the off chance I’d stumbled across a mannii. Nope, rapae it was . All through the trip so far I’d seen little dark Warblers that reminded a little bit of Dartford Warblers, but I’d never managed to get a clear view until today, they look like Sardinian Warblers if my guide book is to be believed. Some building work stopped us from continuing our round trip back up to the town so be retraced our steps, finding a couple of worn Painted Lady fighting over a sunny patch of rock face and then my second White lifer of the day a Bath White . The day ended back in town with more (or rather more likely the same) Serin and Chough posing and playing for my benefit. Yet another great day in Spain

More cracking stuff Bugboy - these reports along with those of Guy and Chris are really helping during this fitful Spring even if I do appear to be running out of MrGreens That would have been a competition winning shot if a Greenstreak had landed on the other side of Provency Love the Green-strip too

Have a goodun

Wurzel
ps Almost forgot a for the Pallid, not seen one of those for so long that I can't work out how long

Another great continuation, BB. First of all, I have to say that the gorge is almost vertigo-inducing. I'm surprised I've never previously heard of it.

Nice to see you catch up with Green Striped White and more Provence Hairstreaks! What with Guy Padfield posting similar exciting stuff, I'm definitely planning a spring visit to this area within the relatively near future.

I’ve been to Ronda, but couldn’t find my way to the bottom of the gorge! If only! More congratulations and s from me.