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Hello,
Yesterday I spotted some skippers in the South of France on the Mountain of Sainte Baume at approx. 840 m altitude.
Could I have an opinion as to the identity of them please.
The Pyrgus photos were taken in the following order and in the space of 6 minutes, in approximately the same place, so some of them could be the same individual.
Pyrgus 1 Pyrgus 2 Pyrgus 3 Pyrgus 4a Pyrgus 4b Orange skipper Thanks, Chris

I'd only be speculating on the pyrgus, Chris, but your last specimen is Silver Spotted Skipper.

Chris, David,

I saw my first Silver-spotted Skipper of the year yesterday as well . And more today.
--
Colin

Thanks for the Silver-spotted Skipper, David - thats a new one for me then (they don't exist in Vitrolles or Marseilles).
I just need to go back and get some better photos now .
When I get a spare 5 minutes, I go through my reference books for the Pyrgus. It is getting 5 spare minutes that is the difficult bit !

Hi Colin,
Yes, I've seen your diary. And yours is a much better photo I'll say as well
Also liked your Meadow Brown uppersides.

Cheers, Chris

I think you have Foulquier's Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus bellieri) there, Chris. A male, I suspect.

The heavy markings and jagged edges are trademark bellieri but this is a species of which I have limited experience.

It flies at Ste Baume and I'm fairly certain I have seen it there.

See what Guy thinks if the picks up this thread.

Check out Mattt Rowlings' images:
http://www.eurobutterflies.com/sp/foulquieri.php

Roger

That was also my reaction (bellieri) but I thought I'd wait for Roger to step in first, as he's from the region and has made a special study of Pyrgus. I wouldn't want to get you all excited and then have Roger point out it's something much more usual!

Guy

Thank you Roger and Guy,
How lucky of me to stumble upon Foulquier's Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus bellieri).
I seem to be racking them up this year .
Chris