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After a couple of days of cloud, wind and rain, and also rain this morning, I went out this afternoon even though it was cloudy. I went down to my local quarry on the outskirts of which I saw a couple of Orange-tips, several unidentified whites and this female Wall Brown, the only butterfly that stayed put long enough to be photographed.
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Colin

This morning was quite warm, which was confirmed by the number of butterflies, but still a limited number of species.

Many Wall Browns and Orange-tips,
a couple of Speckled Woods, several Green Hairstreaks,
my first Peacock of the year (#12), in fact the first since two years ago,
one Painted Lady with a chunk missing from one wing,
several Cleopatras and several Brimstones, this one being a male.
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Colin

CFB wrote:...my first Peacock of the year, in fact the first since two years ago...

Amazing statistic. I wonder why Peacocks are so scarce in that part of SE France?

Hello David,

I seem to remember Chris saying that they were somewhat uncommon around Marseilles as well.

This morning in the Bois de Darbousson I saw my first Wood Whites (#13)
and Provence Orange-tip (#14) of the year. Isn't she cute!
There were also several Wall Browns, regular Orange-tips and Brimstones, and a few Speckled Woods and Cleopatras.

And when I got home I saw my first Swallowtail (#15) of the year among the Violas in the garden. But no photo.
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Colin

You lucky devil seeing a Peacock, Colin , I wonder where it came from.
They are not uncommon over my way, they are non-existent.
That is almost worth a Provence Orange Tip - and you have both !!
Cheers, Chris

It was raining this morning, and when I went out this afternoon it was cloudy and windy, but I encountered a solitary male Provence Orange-tip. Half an hour later it was still in the same place.
The only other butterfly seen was a tatty Painted Lady.
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Colin

Is it possible Peacocks are scarce because the nettles shrivel during the summer,just when they are needed by the caterpillars? If there are any nettles!

CFB wrote:It was raining this morning, and when I went out this afternoon it was cloudy and windy, but I encountered a solitary male Provence Orange-tip. Half an hour later it was still in the same place.

So, cloud, rain and wind is crucial to obtaining stunning open-wing images of male Provence OTs? Shame they don't occur in Wales as we have plenty of the aforementioned.

Lovely shot, Colin.

essexbuzzard wrote:Is it possible Peacocks are scarce because the nettles shrivel during the summer,just when they are needed by the caterpillars? If there are any nettles!

What is strange is that nettles are probably more uncommon than Peacocks in my area .

David M wrote:Lovely shot, Colin.

Thanks David.
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Colin

Another lovely sunny day with four first-sightings of the year .

Clouded Yellow (#16):
Green-veined White (#17):
Small White (#18) (though I won't argue if someone says it's something else):
Mallow Skipper (#19) on Common mallow (Malva sylvestris):
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Colin

In the Parc de la Brague this morning there were several Small Heaths, the first of the year #20,
many Wall Browns and Speckled Woods, and several Green Hairstreaks. They seem to like French lavender (Lavandula stoechas),
Several Orange-tips, a few Brimstones, this one being a female,
and a couple of Wood Whites.

Also two Speckled Yellow Moths (this photo is from a couple of days ago),
and several Green-winged Orchids (Orchis morio or Anacamptis morio)
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Colin

Seems to be a productive period for you down there right now, Colin.

I wish we had a similar diversity of species here in the UK.

This morning around the Pont des Dones I saw three firsts-of-the-year: what is probably a Grizzled Skipper #21,

a Spanish Festoon #22, which wouldn't let me get close up,
and a few Bath Whites #23, this one being a male.
I also saw Wall Browns, Speckled Woods, a Red Admiral, Wood Whites, Orange-tips and some Brimstones.
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Colin

Hi Colin,
You are seeing more and more species. Spring seems to be gathering speed over your way.
Lucky you for the Brimstone, I have to go outside the Bouches du Rhone to see one .
I have potential spots within 40 kms from Marseilles for Southern and Spanish Festoon, so I can't wait to get back home from La Drôme to go and check them out, because now is the moment.
Your Skipper may be 'Southern Grizzled Skipper' (Pyrgus malvoides). Nowadays, they seem to make a difference between malvae / malvoides = north / south. I'm no expert, just passing on info.
Cheers, Chris

This morning, despite quite a strong wind, I saw three more first-of-the-years. First of all, Baton Blues (#24) in three different locations,
a Scarce Swallowtail (#25), no photo, and when I got home I saw another one in the garden, floating around in the wind.

And a female Green-underside Blue (#26). I think the underside distinguishes it from Black-eyed Blue even though the upper-side is bluer than usual.
I also saw a couple of Spanish Festoons. I followed this one for several minutes before I was able to get a good shot of it,
many Orange-tips and Wall Browns, several Green Hairstreaks and Brimstones, and a couple of Wood Whites and Small Whites.
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Colin

Wish we had them over here Colin Goldie

CFB wrote: ... I think the underside distinguishes it from Black-eyed Blue even though the upper-side is bluer than usual ...
Colin

Hi Colin,
Here is an interesting observation made by Guy:
viewtopic.php?f=20&t=8715&start=60
Scroll down to Wed Mar 30, 2016 9:12 am if it doesn't show directly.
Cheers, Chris

Hello Chris,

Now I have some doubts, so I've posted the two photos to the Identification forum.
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Colin

Hi Colin,
I see that your butterfly is indeed alexis. I'm glad your original analysis was correct and am looking forward to seeing more images.
I will be keeping an eye open for alexis over my way.
Cheers, Chris

This morning around the Pont des Dones I saw my first Weaver's Fritillary (#27) of the year.
Also seen were a couple of Scarce Swallowtails,
one Spanish Festoon, which on comparing photos turned out to be the same one as yesterday, a few Baton Blues, Small Heaths, Wood Whites, Green Hairstreaks and Brimstones, and several Orange-tips and Wall Browns.

Also in flight were some Owlfly Sulphur (Libelloides coccajus), a sure sign that it is getting hotter.
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Colin