Wurzel

[Wurzel]

Cheers Guy I don;t think travelling with some Dutch druggies would have gone down to well with my wife but I'd have been game It was an enjoyable holiday but as it was city based opportunities for butterflies were limited . We're heading back to Portugal, in the Guarda area this year (fingers crossed because of Brexit) so hopefully the butterflying will be a little easier and productive

Thursday 11th August Castello da Sao Jorge

View from the Castle

I wasn’t hopeful for todays’ haul of butterflies as we were set to have a ‘quiet day’ and just spend time up at the Castle. There were stunning views, a visit to the camera obscura and preserved archaeological digs. It was a fantastic place to visit and I leant so much about Portuguese and Lisbon’s history however on the wildlife front it was pretty dire – 2 Whites, a Brimstone, Specklie and LTB all seen and not one photographed. Again because of the high temperature everything was hyper. I did enjoy the Parrots (Monks) as did Little L but I still can’t see how the butterflying is going to improve. Hopefully the parks at the weekend or a visit to Sintra will be better and I can maybe persuade to the girls to visit the huge national park near Lisbon’s centre…

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Wurzel]

Friday 12th August The Oceanarium

I doubted whether we would make the visit to the Oceanarium. It didn’t start well with a baking Metro journey and then a walk across concrete and tarmac in the roiling heat. Having gotten the tickets we headed back out to have our lunch in the nicely shaded picnic area. Whilst the girls let their lunch go down I had a quick mooch around the tiny park which was actually more like a small collection of bushes. There were plenty of lizards around, a few dragonflies and two butterflies. One blue which flew away almost as soon as I’d noticed it and a Geranium Bronze. I was joined by Little L who was intent on feeding some of her lettuce to the lizards which she did manage a couple of times before I was quick enough to catch it on film.

After the Oceanarium my wife wanted a sit down and the girls had their ice creams so I nipped off for 15 minutes and found another park just over the road. A few whites flew by here and there along with several blues including a new species for the trip - a (Southern) Common Blue as well as a Swallowtail. I followed it as it drifted down the three levels of terrace but decided not to follow it across than the busy main road. Instead I made my way back to the top of the terraces and latched onto a Lang’s egg laying.

Fifteen minutes up and back with the family the girls had finished their ice creams and fancied a dip/mess around in the fountains so I was let loose for another 15 minutes back at the Terraces. Again there were a couple of whites to greet me with the usual collection of Blues and up at the top a Clouded Yellow bombed on by. A small patch on Terrace two held the usual suspects including a Long-tail which actually stopped for long enough to enable a few shots. If only could find a Scarce Swallowtail or some of the Gatekeepers?

Oh well pleased with what I’d got I headed back to rejoin the family again by which time the girls were completely soaked. It didn’t matter though as in the stupendous heat they were dry in the 10 minutes it took to walk back to the Metro station.

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Goldie M]

Hi! Wurzel, pity you missed the Swallow Tail, I loved the time I spent in Norfolk watching them they're so lovely, maybe this year on your next holiday you'll see even more. Goldie

[Philzoid]

Some great Long-tailed Blue photos there Wurzel and plenty of them I knew my bet was safe

Your Dragonfly is Sympetrum fonscolombii Red-veined Darter

[trevor]

You are tempting me to grow some Geraniums, after all a Geranium Bronze
was discovered in nearby Lewes some years back. As for Long Tailed Blues,
your challenge is to obtain some shots of one over here!.
Hope your 2019 hols.are as productive as last year.

Trevor.

[Wurzel]

Cheers Goldie I was sightly annoyed that I didn't follow the Swallowtail but it would have meant either getting arrested for Jaywalking or getting flattened under the traffic - I just hoped that I might catch up with another one
Cheers Philzoid Cheers for the ID I bet the thought of not shelling out for a crate of Badger made my pics seem even sweeter
Cheers Trevor I'm heading to the garden centre tomorrow Fingers crossed for 2019 and the LTBs

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Wurzel]

Saturday 13th August – Round and about Lisbon

This was to be the big one – not for butterflies but for sightseeing. We started off on the Number 28 Tram which rumbled right the way through Lisbon before we alighted back at Estrela Park and wandered down to Tampodes do Neumides. Well it was more of a hike than a wander as it seems that all the street maps and the very helpful people on the internet that gave directions have no idea of scale/time. Still when we finally reached the park it was thankfully in the shade and as we enjoyed our lunch a Specklie landed and settled for some closed wing shots. I know this is a different race but it could almost be a different species, a Wall x Speckled Wood hybrid almost. Round the rest of the garden there were the ever present Geranium Bronze along with the usual ‘couple of blues’ but nothing was landing or settling in the blistering heat.

We then got the bus to Rato and walked down the Liberade. On one small grass verge at Pombal a Geranium Bronze and three blues were around. One actually landed and settled for long enough for a couple of shots, a Long-tail. It was clearly evident what the selective advantage was of those ‘tails’ as most of the Long-tails that I’d seen, including this one, actually lacked their tail, taken perhaps during a bird strike. After this there wasn’t much to tell nature wise as we adapted to our urban setting perusing shops, observing the street life and absorbing the way things are done in Portugal.

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Wurzel]

Sunday 14th August Out and about in Lisbon…

This turned into a quiet day as after the very busy day yesterday the girls were starting to flag. So the morning was spent toodling round in the town picking up some bits and bobs and getting tram, bus and train times to various places for out final day tomorrow. We kept to the shaded side of the streets and ducked into shops where possible to take advantage of the air-conditioning.

After lunch I headed out solo while the others had a siesta. I’d checked the map and followed a route which would take in a couple more of the small parks. The first stop was at Martim Monchoz which was more a piazza with a few areas of vegetation. Despite the very poor concrete to vegetation ratio I was still able to find a Geranium Bronze.

I then made my way to the promising looking Jardim de Torrell. Set on the side of the hill it stepped down the slope in a series of terraces which on the map had been coloured green but in reality were more a beige of dried vegetation and grey of concrete . I didn’t see a single butterfly here but consoled myself with some Wall Lizards and the sighting of a Black Redstart.

The final and furthest garden of my solo jaunt – Campo dos Marities da Patria – was flatter, greener and great. As I arrived and crossed the road to start following the little path round a Swallowtail glided into view and landed long enough for a couple of shots. It then fluttered a little further away and again landed for a few photos before sailing off down the hill heading where I did not know. Also here were the usual Geranium Bronze, Lang’s and Long-tails as well as a Small White (I’ve checked and it’s not a Southern Small White) as well as a Yellow Legged Gull.

I headed home hoping for a final massive trip to Sintra and set to researching. My hopes were quickly shattered as the combined cost of the return train journey and smallest of the available tours was prohibitive. My hopes of some non-urban Portuguese butterflying disappeared. Maybe tomorrow I could get to the National Park or some other parks?

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[trevor]

A definate for that Swallowtail, especially as it seems to be pristine.
We saw a few in France but none settled. Off to Wilts. today for half term.
Will check the rubbish heap.

All the best,
Trevor.

[Goldie M]

You got the Swallow Tail Wurzel with out being knocked down I see I must say though I love the Purple flower shot
best Goldie

[Wurzel]

Cheers Trevor The rubbish heap is definitely worth a check, typical though I'm in Wales this week See a few Small Torts for me
Cheers Goldie Yep got there in the end I was chuffed with the GE on the purple flower - though I did get some funny looks from the people enjoying their coffee on the piazza

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Wurzel]

Monday 15th August Praia de Tamariz Close to Estoril

As this was the final day it would have been a shame to have just ‘toodled’ around in the city again so we did what a lot of Portuguese families did and took the train to the beach. We headed to Tamariz. On the journey I eagerly watched out of the window for any butterflies and apart from a large orangey butterfly (a possible Monarch?) nothing was showing.

Upon arrival we strolled down the concourse, took the underpass and there we were already on the beach. We set of camp and the girls went for a paddle and made sand shapes in between strolling around the rocks looking for fishes. I took myself off to examine the grounds of the local park/casino gardens and inviting looking oasis of greenery surrounded by building s on three sides and the sea on the fourth. I soon discovered that what had looked like an oasis was more like a mirage as there was nothing about not even a pigeon! I carried on checking out any and every available plant holder and shrub but only turned up a Black Redstart and a Painted Lady.

Once the girls were sated with sun and sea we took the train back and had a stroll round the local markets before heading back. While the girls got cleaned up I packed and then while they rested I took a final trip out. This time I was heading towards the Botanical Gardens. The local guides that I’d read online all seemed to suggest that this was a must visit site and so I entered hopefully. Traipsing around in the heat I was surprised by the lack of butterflies. I arrived at the ‘butterfly house’, a large greenhouse open to the elements and planted with a host of native plant species to encourage local butterflies to breed here, was closed for repairs. This was probably the biggest blow of the holiday. I peered through the gate and could just make out a Monarch at the furthest end of the enclosure but I couldn’t get my camera to focus on it as it was so far away and the also because of the close proximity of the gate panels. So there was one of the lifers that I’d hoped for just out of reach. I checked out the other areas finding a few Lang’s and Long-tails but nothing stopped. So I headed home dusted and dead tried.

The following morning we packed up and shipped out back home. So from this trip I learnt an important lesson – on city holidays take your camera just in case but don’t expect too much! Still I did manage to pick up 4 lifers and get photos of three so in terms of butterflies it wasn’t all bad and in terms of a family holiday it was excellent!

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Philzoid]

Hi Wurzel
Just caught up with your latest Portugal postings. That open-wing Swallowtail shot is brilliant as is the Geranium Bronze on the purple flower . Also you’ve got some nice close-ups of Scarlet Darter (Crocothemis erythraea)

Sorry to hear you missed out on the butterfly house. That would’ve left me feeling gutted too

[Wurzel]

Cheers Philzoid Thanks for the ID I was wondering what that was as it was 'blatantly' red I did wonder about climbing over the fence at the butterfly house but didn't really fancy getting the shouts of "Oi! Saia de mim terra!" (I occasionally heard this when I was a young and innocently reckless birder - something I have in common with Bill Oddie!) More importantly can I count the Monarch on my life list?

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Benjamin]

Nice Portugal report Wurzel - somehow reassuring to know others are similarly frustrated when trying to blend family holidays and butterflying!

You nailed it in France though, and it sounds like you’ll be much better placed in Portugal this year....

[millerd]

That's a great Swallowtail, and I also particularly like the Speckled Wood a bit further back. The southern version is (as you said I think) almost like a cross between a Wall and one of our Specklies. From what I remember, though, its behaviour is just the same as our familiar one.

Dave

[trevor]

Cheers, Wurzel. Unfortunately my next Wilts visit is not until April 7th ( Easter Hols ).
The weather was not suitable for Butterflies in Wilts last week.
Can you organise a field trip to Portland ?, a Large Tortoiseshell was seen there today.

All the best,
Trevor.

[Wurzel]

Cheers Benjamin The thing with family holidays and butterflying is that you have to develop a slightly different fieldcraft to make them work On our last visit to Portugal we were based in Lisbon right in the heart of the city so it was very urban - this year though we're out in the country so fingers crossed
Cheers Dave Yep the Specklies do their thing the same wherever you find them from my limited experience - the different colouring just adds to their interest
Cheers Trevor I'd love to get down to Portland again but as per usual when the weather is great and the butterflies are blooming I'm stuck in work Things will be going proper by the next time you're back in Wilts

Wales 30-07-2018

It had to happen. After 6 or so weeks of wall to wall sunshine and record temperatures, after constantly feeling like I’d been boiled in a bag by the end of the day and after watching the weather and seeing the map coloured in orange and reds I had to visit my In-laws in Wales. This could mean only one thing: it was about to get cold and wet… As we left on the Saturday the clouds gathered and driving through North Wiltshire the heavens opened and threw everything they could at us; hail, lightning and rain so heavy that I couldn’t really see through the windscreen. It passed but as we carried on towards the ‘H’ Bridge we could see a wall of thick grey cloud waiting for us on the other side. Again the heavens opened; “Welcome to Wales!” I thought.

Sunday was rain on and off pretty much all day and when the rain ceased it wasn’t for very long plus it was still dark and dingy and cool.
Monday the weather forecast was total crap! I don’t mean the weather forecasted was bad I mean the forecast was one of the most inaccurate that I’d seen. I looked out of the window at the blue sky and looked at the BBC App with its black cloud background and heavy rain “right now”. The rain carried on with the thick cloud and strong breeze so we stayed in when we should have gone to Cei Bach. But then when the App said it should be raining still later it cleared up and we were able to take a stroll up the Lane and blow away a few of the cobwebs.

At the end of the cul-de-sac I spied my first butterfly, a UFW around the Buddleia of a neighbours’ garden and also here was a Large White. On the other side of the road there were a few florets of what looked like Knapweed pushing up through the smallest of gaps between a wall and the tarmac along with a Common Blue.

As we carried on up numerous Hedge Browns flew about and some stopped and posed for me. After most of the journey was made a few more Whites also put in an appearance. It started with a fly-by Large and two Smalls and then there was also a Green-veined as well. Up at the turn around point two Red Admirals appeared and one kept bumbling round and landing on even the smallest cluster of Nettles, possibly looking to lay?

So we made the return journey with the same species in view as well as an additional Specklie in amongst the many, many Hedge Browns. Back at the Buddleia there were no butterflies but 5 Silver Y on various florets. Nothing spectacular but it was nice to get out and see butterflies after two and half days away.

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Goldie M]

Won't be long before we see the Gate Keeper's Wurzel, March on Friday
My Daughters off to Portugal in April but she's not too interested in Butterflies, I've tried my best with her but can't get through yet
I've changed my Holiday plan, Eastbourne now instead of WSM I may have a better chance with the Butterflies there. We couldn't get single rooms at WSM and I like my own space, my Sister-in-Law also, we're visiting Bexhill-On-Sea, so Hope fully I'll see some thing, hope fully a Grizzled Skipper . Goldie

[Wurzel]

Cheers Goldie Off to Portugal in April - Festoons, Nettle Tree Butterfly etc etc I reckon you should smuggle yourself into your daughters suitcase Goldie I reckon you'll get a Grizzlie

March 2019

Hopefully the weather over the weekend counts as "In like a Lion..." and then we can get back to proper butterflying from the end of the month

Have a goodun

Wurzel