Desert Orangetip in Cadiz Province - where?

[Trik]

We shall be in Cadiz Province end Apr - beg May this year and would like to try for this species. I see in Collins Guide that they are present from Gibraltar eastwards to Murcia, in coastal regions. Our present itinerary mostly covers the west of Cadiz, but if there is a colony not too far from Gib, we might be able to squeeze in a detour, if anyone knows of one, please? We've seen them late September in Granada Province, but the site was too difficult for me to reach, unfortunately.

Thanks
Trik

[essexbuzzard]

The only place I’ve seen them is in Malaga, which is some way from Cadiz. Hopefully there is someone on UKB with knows the area west of Gibraltar better than me. Good luck.

[Trik]

It was in the Malaga area we saw them, too. We don't know the exact site, but it is apparently a regular place for them, although too steep and rocky for me to manage. I did have a female land very briefly in front of me while I was waiting by the car, but she was soon off and away on the stiff breeze. Anyway, I think we are being over-optimistic in hoping for them further west, though, especially so early in the year, but thank you for the reply.

Trik

[essexbuzzard]

Don’t give up, though. There are colonies further west, including coastal areas of Cadiz, but, being a local, patchy species,you will need a bit of luck to find those colonies. It is muti-brooded though, starting in late March, so it is possible. If you don’t succeed, then try an autumn trip to Malaga. This picture was taken near the fortress, over looking the city,in September 2018.

[Trik]

We shall be visiting Tarifa, Barbate and Bolonia along the coast, as well as inland sites, so we'll certainly keep a look-out. If we do manage to find them, I'll definitely add to this thread in due course!

Thanks again eb
Trik

[essexbuzzard]

Best of luck, as it is a lovely species. Might be worth raising this topic again a couple of weeks before you go, as more people will see it then.

Bw’s

[Trik]

Due to lockdown, we missed our planned trip to Cadiz Province. We are now hoping to return to north of Malaga in mid-September and would like to ask essexbuzzard if he can remember exactly where he saw this butterfly and what the terrain was like, please? As I mentioned before, I cannot manage steep, rocky slopes, especially if it's hot and there is nowhere to rest up for a bit en route.

Many thanks.
Trik