www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

This morning along the Piste du Collet des Espéres I saw several Baton Blues, including this female and this male, a couple of Wood Whites, at least one Black-eyed Blue, and, at last, two Spanish Festoons. There were also many Brimstones and Wall Browns, a single Small Copper, several Speckled Woods and Orange-tips, and some Clouded Yellows and Green Hairstreaks.
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Colin

Well done Colin.
Good photos. Now you're coming up with the goodies.
Chris

I finally got a photo of a Provence Orange-tip, which have been eluding my camera for two weeks or so. This female is on Biscutella laevigata, the larval food plant of this species. Also seen were regular Orange-tips, some Small Coppers, a Green-veined White, and several Brimstones, Clouded Yellows, Cleopatras, Wall Browns and Speckled Woods.
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Colin

That's a great image of the female Provence Orange Tip, Colin. I believe it deserves a place in the species specific albums, although Vince Massimo will be the ultimate judge of that!

David M wrote:That's a great image of the female Provence Orange Tip, Colin. I believe it deserves a place in the species specific albums, although Vince Massimo will be the ultimate judge of that!

I agree that it is a beautiful image of a stunning butterfly, but unfortunately this species has never been reported in the British Isles, so cannot be included in the Species-Specific Album. Shame ...............

Vince

Fair enough, Vince, it has never been a UK species, though given its difficulty to photograph, that image could well be a useful one to have on file.

Thanks, David and Vince.

This morning I saw at least three male and three female Provence Orange-tips, including this courting couple. Heavily cropped and a bit blurred due to the wind, their activity and my shaking hands, but beggars can't be choosers .
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Colin

You're rubbing it in now, Colin.

Vince Massimo wrote:

David M wrote:That's a great image of the female Provence Orange Tip, Colin.

I agree that it is a beautiful image of a stunning butterfly, but unfortunately this species has never been reported in the British Isles, so cannot be included in the Species-Specific Album. Shame ...............

Vince

Agreed, on both counts!

Cheers,

- Pete

Excellent shots of the female Provence Orange Tip and of the courting pair.
Chris

Thanks Chris.

There wasn't much activity this morning, presumably due to a cool wind.

I did however see and photograph a Dingy Skipper,
and a Brown Argus.
Other butterflies seen included a couple of Orange-tips, a few Wall Browns, a few Speckled Woods, two or three Berger's Clouded Yellows and a Southern White Admiral. Still no Painted Ladies though.
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Colin

Still not many butterflies due to a coolish breeze.

I saw my first Adonis Blue of the year, so summer can't be far away.
Also seen were a Green-underside Blue,
a Scarce Swallowtail, some Berger's Clouded Yellows, a couple of Orange-tips, Speckled Woods and Wall Browns.
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Colin

CFB wrote:I saw my first Adonis Blue of the year, so summer can't be far away.

I wish summer over here was as mild as your spring, Colin!! Adonis Blues in late April? What a charmed life you lead!

Having seen Glanville Fritillaries during the last few days, this morning I at last managed to photograph one:
There were several male Provence Chalkhill Blues, the first of the year,
and a damaged female Green-underside Blue:
Also, but no photos, male Adonis Blues, male Orange-tips, Wall Browns, Speckled Woods and Berger's Clouded Yellows.
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Colin

You are clearly the forerunner in the butterfly season, Colin.
I am now on the look-out for Adonis and Provence Chalkhill.
Chris

Chris Jackson wrote:You are clearly the forerunner in the butterfly season

Hello Chris,

I don't think so. I've seen 36 species so far. I bet you've seen a lot more.
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Colin

This morning I encountered this male Baton Blue, one of my favorite butterflies, who allowed me to photograph both upper-side and under-side, and to get very close.
There were a few Weaver's Fritillaries,
a couple of what I think are Grizzled Skippers,
and a large number of Owlfly Sulphurs.
Seen but not photographed were Provence Chalkhill Blues, Glanville Fritillaries, Small Heaths, Wall Browns and Speckled Woods.
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Colin

Yet another sunny day, but still not many different species. There were probably more Owlfly Sulphurs than the total number of butterflies.

But I did see one male Green-underside Blue (?),
many Glanville Fritillaries,
one impeccable Scarce Swallowtail,
one Spanish Festoon, one Small Copper, one male Brimstone, a few male Adonis Blues, two or three Berger's Clouded Yellows, one or two Clouded Yellows, one or two Small Heaths, several Wall Browns and some Speckled Woods.

I also heard a cuckoo, which I don't often hear.

And this is an Ophrys bertolonii orchid from yesterday.
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Colin

This morning was nice and sunny after the heavy rain yesterday.

I saw several Painted Ladies, the first of the year.
Also seen were one Southern White Admiral, one Orange-tip, one Adonis Blue, one Spanish Festoon, several Small Heaths, several Wall Browns and a few Glanville Fritillaries.
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Colin

I also had one this morning, very fresh. Hopefully its grandchildren will make it to England. Also a first Meadow Brown, bring the season's total to 48, although the weather has been terrible (by south of France standards) and I hadn't made any trips to see specific species such as Chapman's Green Hairstreak or Spring Ringlet. This compares to 56 by the end of April last year.

I haven't yet seen a (ex hibernating) Camberwell Beauty or a Large Tortoiseshell, which is the first time I have seen neither in twelve years. It is a very strange year with very good weather until about 20 April and cold and wet almost ever since. The early emergers seem to have done well, and the second generation of Dappled White is already on the wing.

Roger