The Irish Naturalist

By Owen Beckett

Tag: wildlife (Page 1 of 2)

Siskin

January and February 2021: some highlights…

March 1, 2021 /

For the wildlife enthusiast, winter can be a dull affair. Many insects will be hibernating, migrant birds such as warblers, Swifts and Swallows will have left our shores and I could count on one hand the numbers of wildflower species which are brave enough to bloom during these cold, short days!

For many, attention is drawn naturally to the animals which remain conspicuous at this time of year, especially birds.ย  I am no different. Whilst dreaming of warmer days ahead filled with colourful flowers and a wealth of insects, I content myself during the interim with the birds that are attracted to the bird feeders in my garden and occasionally, further afield.

This winter, I decided to experiment a bit with the bird food I put out. Usually, peanut feeders and breadcrumbs on the ground would attract Blackbirds, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Coal Tits, Robins, Chaffinches and Dunnocks, with Song Thrushes, Long-tailed Tits, Jays and Goldfinches visiting occasionally.

I decided to add some sunflower hearts and it wasn’t long before the variety increased substantially. Within the last month, Siskins have become regular visitors. These are typically found less frequently in gardens and tend to live in wooded areas with Alder and coniferous trees. Redpolls often inhabit similar areas and they too have been seen in the garden recently. The other new regular visitor is a lone female Greenfinch, which despite only appearing on her own is a nice observation to make as this species has fallen dramatically in numbers due to Trichomonosis, a disease which first appeared here in 2006.

The Song Thrush appears to have become a more frequent visitor, as have the Long-tailed Tits and Pied Wagtails (although this could be down to food availability in the wider area, rather than the greater variety of foodstuffs in my garden). Goldfinches too are more abundant than ever, with counts into double figures not uncommon. It is interesting to watch the bird hierarchy at the feeders, as Goldfinches tend to rule the roost and feed first, followed by Great Tits, Blue Tits then Coal Tits. The Siskins and Redpolls seem to be on the same level as the Goldfinches, but when the Greenfinch appears, all the aforementioned birds quickly make way! Blackbirds and Song Thrushes seem to ignore this, whilst Robins, Dunnocks and Chaffinches seem willing to tolerate other species but display a complex hierarchy amongst their own.

There are several other species which have appeared once or twice this winter, one of them being the Mistle Thrush. This robust thrush is paler and stockier than the Song Thrush and during the winter will associate with other thrushes in large flocks. It seldom visits gardens, preferring to feed in fields, along hedgerows or on the edges of woodlands, so to see a few individuals gorging on the Privet berries beside my house was a nice surprise!

The Collared Dove and Jay are two larger birds which only visit periodically. The former is a recent colonist in Ireland although can be found commonly in farmland and urban areas across the country. The Jay is a reclusive woodland-dwelling crow, which sometimes nests in the copse close to my house. They visit the garden searching for bread or peanuts periodically throughout the year and when they do, there is often little left by the time they have finished!

The Yellowhammer too has been seen for the first time in the garden this winter, as has the rare Brambling. Yellowhammers have undergone a rather stark decline in recent decades, likely as a result of hedgerow removal and and the increasingly common practice of ploughing and sowing fields in autumn, which removes the stubble which sustains them during the winter. They can be heard singing in my local area in spring, but to see a female in the garden was special! The Brambling on the other hand is a rare winter visitor from Scandinavia. It often wanders from its breeding range looking for food and during this time it will often associate with its close relative the Chaffinch. Unfortunately my new longer range lens did not arrive in time to photograph either species well, so my rather poor shots will have to suffice until next winter when I will (hopefully) get some better shots.

Moving on, some recent mild weather towards the end of February has tempted to early spring flowers to bloom. Colt’s Foot has appeared over the past few days. This flower looks similar to a Dandelion but blooms earlier and interestingly, it produces flowers before its leaves, the opposite of most other flowering plants. Hazel catkins have also appeared and a few shy Lesser Celandines are tentatively opening their petals in response to the mild sunshine. I’ve also seen a few early insects on the wing, notably several Honey Bee workers foraging on Gorse and winter Heather and a few Droneflies (Eristalis tenax).

I couldn’t finish without mentioning the humble Common Frog. During a visit to Breen Wood in Co. Antrim recently, I came across many croaking adults in some of the shallow pools along the main trail. One of these was buff-coloured with a greenish tinge, which I have been told is a rare colour variation. Frogspawn was abundant here, indeed I don’t think I have ever seen so much in all my life! There is also a smaller amount of fresh spawn in some patches of shallow water close to my house, which I will monitor over the coming weeks to check on the progress of the next generation!

Spring is just around the corner and after a winter under lockdown, I can scarcely remember a time when I have been looking forward to it so much. Bees and butterflies will soon be on the wing and hopefully I will be able to write about some new sightings in my next post!

Common Blue, Killard Point, Ireland, June 2020

Killard Point: Some recent highlights from one of Ireland’s finest nature reserves.

September 16, 2020 /

Killard Point is a small headland situated south of Strangford Lough along the coast of County Down. It is comprised mostly of coastal meadows with smaller areas of dune, scrub and cliff-face, each with their own highlights. Its primary drawing card is its plant diversity but in my opinion it is also very much an underrated site for insects, something which kept me coming back throughout the summer!

Butterflies

The variety of butterflies which occur here is not exceptional, but it is a definite hotspot for several more localised species and the numbers of such species here can be exceptional. Dark Green Fritillaries can be found in unimproved grasslands and rough heathy sites across Ireland, but are often much more abundant at the coast and here they can be seen in good numbers throughout June and July. They are joined during this time by the Common Blue, which linger on until August. There are two Satyrid species which occur here in large numbers; the Small Heath and Meadow Brown. The former is seen mostly in May and June, then again in smaller numbers in August whilst the latter is seen from June-August, with a definite peak in July.ย  The Grayling (which is local in Ireland) also occurs here although I have never seen it. The site also attracts several other ‘generalist’ species like Red Admiral, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Large White, Small White and Painted Lady, whilst the migratory Clouded Yellow also occurs here in the autumn in favourable years.

Bumblebees

The density and variety of wild flowers are a big attraction for bumblebee species and I have recorded several species here, some common and others scarce. One of the commonest bees here is the Red-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius). This species has declined in Ireland and shies away from areas of intensive agriculture, but is abundant here due to the pristine unimproved meadows. It is commonly seen feeding on Bird’s-foot Trefoil, Restharrow, Common Knapweed and Field Scabious. The Red-tailed Cuckoo Bee (Bombus rupestris) which uses the previous species as its host occurred here at one stage, although it is not known whether it still exists at the site. Although I have yet to find it, the strong host populations would suggest that it is certainly possible. Other common species include the Garden Bumblebee (Bombus hortorum), Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) and the White-tailed Bumblebee complex (Bombus lucorum agg.), a group of closely related bees that cannot be separated without DNA testing.ย  The Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum) is also very abundant and occurs here alongside the similar yet much rarer Moss Carder Bee (Bombus muscorum). The latter is a much-declined bumblebee of damp unimproved grassland and flowery meadows and Killard Point is one of the few sites in NI which is still inhabited by this species.

Solitary Bees

Killard Point has several south-facing glacial till and sandy cliff faces, as well as numerousย  consolidated sandy patches, all of which are prime nesting areas for a variety of solitary bees. It is a very important site in a national context with dozens of species recorded here. This year I managed to see a good variety of these, including the rediscovery of the very rare Colletes daviesanus, which had not been seen in Ireland for 40 years. Other less common species seen here included Andrena nigroaenea, Nomada goodeniana and Lasioglossum nitidiusculum, in addition to commoner species like Halictus rubicundus, Lasioglossum villosulum and Lasioglossum calceatum, in addition to various Sphecodes species. The site offers great potential to find new populations of solitary bees and I intend to return in the spring to see if I can add to my list of species seen here.

Other Insects

For me personally, bees and butterflies are the main focus but I still keep an eye out for any other insects that happen to cross my path. Whilst walking across Killard during the summer months, it would be hard not to notice the numbers of Cinnabar and Six-spot Burnet Moths. They are both medium-sized, black and red day-flyers that favour open grassy areas, with the Cinnabar emerging in May and the Burnet in June. Other moths I have seen here include the migratory Hummingbird Hawkmoth and the local Yellowtail Moth.

Grasshopper species include the Common Green and Field Grasshoppers, which in turn attract the predatory solitary wasp Tachysphex pompiliformis. The site in general is great for solitary wasps, as I have also seen potter wasps (Ancistrocerus sp.), Ruby-tailed Wasps (Chrysis sp.) and the impressive Amblyjoppa fuscipennis. Social wasps include the Norwegian Wasp (Dolichovespula norwegica).

Birds and other animals

Admittedly, species under this category do not draw my attention as much as they perhaps should, as I tend to be looking towards the ground during my walks here, not skyward! Nevertheless i have still managed to come across a few local or less common bird species whilst I have been here,ย  the chief among these being the Sand Martin. Whilst not rare, it is a patchy species in Ireland and requires large sand or clay banks for nesting. The Skylark is a much-declined bird in Ireland and has suffered due to changes in crop cycles and agricultural intensification, although it still occurs at Killard Point. Meadow Pipits share the long Marram grass with the Skylarks, whilst the Kestrel can be seen hunting in these open areas, sometimes in threes or fours. Along the shoreline, Oystercatchers are a common sight and Common Seals sometimes beach themselves when it’s quiet.

Plants

As an area of unimproved grassland devoid of herbicides or fertiliser, Killard supports a wonderful array of plant species. In spring it sees a mass-flowering of the attractive Spring Squill, along with its relative the Bluebell which creates a wonderful carpet of pale blue across parts of the reserve. The meadows support several legumes such as Kidney Vetch, Bird’s-foot Trefoil and Restharrow whilst Tufted Vetch grows in some of the more scrubby areas. Other plants in the meadows include Wild Thyme, Field Scabious, Common Knapweed, Eyebright, Lady’s Bedstraw and various Hawkweeds. Thrift, Scarlet Pimpernel, Wild Carrot and Wild Radish grow close to the sea here whilst White Stonecrop grows along the old stone walls nearby. The main attraction for botanists however is the variety of orchids that occur here, particularly the presence of the elusive and stunning Bee Orchid. Other commoner orchids include the Common Spotted Orchid, Twayblade and Pyramidal Orchid.

 

Andalusian Anomalous Blue, Sierra de Almijara, Spain, July 2020

Hidden Treasures of the Sierra de Almijara, Part 2: July 2020

July 30, 2020 /

Aside from the section of the Sierra de Almijara around Nerja, there were two other areas of these mountains that I travelled to whilst I was in the region: Frigiliana and Canillas de Abaida. These two attractive white-washed hilltop towns offered something slightly different than the hills around Nerja and I was keen to get out and explore them.

The day during which I was looking for wildlife near Frigiliana was brief and admittedly I spent much of my time exploring the quaint white-washed streets. I did manage to take a short walk into the adjacent hills where I found a number of interesting butterfly species. Top of the list was the magnificent Two-tailedย  Pasha. This stunning butterfly is the only representative of the Charaxes genus in Europe and I was treated to the sighting of three individuals, hilltoping in an open clearing. ‘Hiltopping’ is the name for the habit that certain butterflies have of flying to the tops of hills and often finding a prominent perch and driving off any other butterflies that happen to fly past. I like to think of it as the butterfly equivalent of playing ‘king of the castle’.

Other species I found were the ever-present Wall Brown, Small Copper and Dusky Heath, but a surprise for me was the Large Wall Brown. Unlike the regular Wall Brown this species is generally harder to find, particularly in southern Spain and is limited to rockier areas in the hills. I found it feeding on some Mediterranean Thyme but only managed a few photos as it was rather wary, although it never flew far when disturbed.

The other area I explored was a higher-altitude site near the village of Canillas de Anaida. After the windy road up to the village, a narrow lane led me to the little recreation area of Fabrica de la Luz, or ‘Factory of the Light’. I arrived here quite early in the morning and the sun had not yet risen sufficiently to bring out many butterflies, so I began my walk up into the mountains. After about 45 minutes of walking things were starting to warm up and I saw my first Dusky Heaths and Wall Browns of the day, species which seem to be common in these mountains. After around 15 minutes or so I made it to a prominent ridge where the sun was shining fully, so there were many more species in flight here. A Small Copper was feeding on Field Eryngo, which was by far the most popular nectar plant in this area. Also joining it was a Southern Gatekeeper, which was surprisingly sparse during my time here.

The pathway zig-zagged its way up a hill between pine woodland and dry open clearings. In such clearings the insect diversity was impressive, with a range of butterflies, bugs, beetles, wasps and bees all being seen. One particular bug which caught my attention was an Assassin Bug, Rhynocoris cuspidatus. These bugs lie in wait on flowers and pounce on any visiting insects. Other insects here included the attractive Longhorn Beetle, Chlorophorus trifasciatus and a species of leafcutter bee, Megachile sp. which I think was Megachile rotundata.

As I continued up the hill I was treated to a nice variety of butterflies. Tree Graylings, Wall Brown and more Dusky Heaths were present in the wooded areas whilst in the open areas species like the Small Copper, Long-tailed Blue and Bath White were seen, attracted in particular to Field Eryngo, Curryplant and various thistles.

Another new butterfly for me was the Spanish Gatekeeper. I was pleased to find this species as it was a new one for me and very much a target for the trip. I managed to get a shot as it basked in some dappled shade in one of the patches of woodland. A few Iberian Marbled Whites were also in flight further along this path, which were a nice surprise and one species I had not seen since doing the Camino in northern Spain. The Mountain Argus, a species I had seen for the first time the previous year in the French Pyrenees was also seen in this general area as were both the Blue-spot and False Ilex Hairstreaks, the latter being a new species and one which I had again been very much hoping to find on my trip.

After about two-and-a-half hours of walking I reached a particular clearing where I found one of the most special of all Spanish butterflies; the Andalusian Anomalous Blue. Although not the most striking species this butterfly is a real rarity even within Spain, being classed as vulnerable, endemic to Spain and confined to just a few mountains in the south of the country. I was delighted when I came across a fresh male feeding once again on Field Eryngo.

I spent some time photographing and enjoying watching this lovely butterfly before I decided to head back down. It was not long after I began my descent that a larger orange butterfly caught my eye. I immediately thought fritillary, but which one? As I approached carefully I was able to recognise it as a Niobe Fritillary, a nice bonus! There aren’t many fritillaries that fly during July in this part of Spain and this species in particular is limited to mountainous areas here. After getting some shots of it feeding on thistles I happened across the humble Sage Skipper. Although not many were seen on this particular walk, overall it was the commonest skipper in the area during my visit.

Continuing back through one of the patches of woodland, I caught sight of a rather drab-brown medium-sized butterfly. It landed once or twice on the dry ground and exposed rock where it blended in rather well and as I was photographing it, I was thinking to myself that it was just a local variation of the Meadow Brown. It was only afterwards whilst I was sorting through my photos that I realised that I had in fact been looking at its scarcer continental relative, the Dusky Meadow Brown. This was a surprise find and which I really didn’t expect to see, so once again I was delighted and couldn’t believe my luck!

I stopped every-so-often to take a look at some of the butterflies that were flying around the path; Bath White, Small Copper, Iberian Marbled White and Dusky Heath were all seen in relative abundance and whilst I was really in my element just watching them all, I didn’t want to keep my mum (who had kindly accompanied me on this trip) waiting for too much longer back at the recreational area as there was only so much sketching she could do! I did have to stop at one stage however and photograph a pristine Clouded Yellow. This species can be common over much of southern and central Europe during the summer and in my experience it had always been difficult to photograph, so I was glad to finally get close enough to get some nice photos of one nectaring happily on one of the several varieties of thistle that grew in the open areas.

After a brisk walk down the mountain I eventually reached the lush floor of the valley where the butterfly activity was much greater than when I had walked along here earlier that morning. Small Whites, Southern Blues and Holly Blues were mudpuddling here as well as flitting around the clumps of bramble that lined the riverbanks. The beautiful ford near the buildings at the recreational area was lined with pink Oleander blossoms and the crystal clear water made this area utterly blissful. A few more species of butterfly were seen here, mostly fixated on obtaining salts from the damp earth. Holly Blues were common as were Long-tailed and Lang’s Short-tailed Blues. A few Southern Marbled Skippers and Clouded Yellows also made an appearance before an Iberian Scarce Swallowtail came swooping by. Unfortunately it didn’t land so it evaded my camera, but it was another nice species to see at this lovely site.

Overall I had a fantastic trip to this lovely region of Spain and was chuffed with my findings. I would definitely recommend it for butterfly lovers but there is plenty for anyone with an interest in wildlife, and indeed anyone who enjoys warm weather, picturesque scenery, good food and quaint villages. I hope I can return someday to sample some of the riches during the spring or visit some of the higher mountains like the Sierra Nevada. Until then, a glass of Tinto de Verano and looking back through my photos will help me savour the memories!

 

Hidden treasures of the Sierra de Almijara, Part 1: July 2020

July 27, 2020 /

The Sierra de Almijara is one of Spain’s lesser-known mountain ranges located in the provinces of Malaga and Granada in the south of the country. In contrast to mountains like the Pyrenees or the Sierra Nevada, this range receives far fewer visitors each year and consequently it is a true wilderness with much unspoiled landscape.

The underlying geology of the area is calcareous marble with many steep valleys and sharp ridges whilst the climate is variable depending on the altitude, but generally winters are mild and wet whilst summers are hot with virtually no rainfall. The lime-rich soil and warm conditions create a wonderful habitat for many species of flowering plant. These in turn attract a myriad of insects quite unlike what I would be used to in Ireland, with many commoner continental andย  Mediterranean butterfliesย  together with a few rarer species, a large range of bees and wasps, bugs, dragonflies, grasshoppers and many other insects. The area is also home to the locally scarce Cabras Montes, or Spanish Ibex which is an endemic species of wild mountain goat. Other animals include the Betic Midwife Toad (an endemic frog species), Common Genet, Wild Boar and Jewelled Lizard, whilst birds of the area include the Bonelli’s Eagle, Griffon Vulture and Golden Oriole. On my first day in the area I took a hike into the mountains starting in the town of Nerja to see what they had to offer.

The track I took led through woodland consisting primarily of Aleppo Pine and small clearings where plants like Anthyllis tejedensis and Mediterranean Thyme (the former is a particularly rare and attractive little flower with pale furry leaves, restricted to these mountains). The sun soon rose over the rocky ridge to the east which brought out the first butterflies of the day. By far the commonest species was the Dusky Heath, a species which is restricted to south-western Europe but can be common where found. Indeed, it was the most abundant butterfly at all of the locations that I visited in these mountains. Another species which I encountered frequently was the Striped Grayling, again restricted to the southwest of Europe:

Further along the trail, more butterflies started to appear such as the familiar Wall Brown, the diminutive Lulworth Skipper and a fresh male Southern Blue. The Wall Brown is a butterfly I had seen several times before but always in ones and twos, whereas here it was rather abundant. It was nice to see a species which is now so scarce back home doing so well here. On the other hand the Lulworth Skipper I saw was the only individual of the trip and a species that I had not seen before, so I was glad to get a few photos of this widespread European skipper.

During the hot summer months many of the plants here have finished flowering but there were still a few on display, such as Delphinium gracile, Dianthus broteri and the Spurge Olive (an inedible wild berry more closely related to oranges than olives). I also found the Western Prickly Juniper, a spiny shrub found in southwest Europe used to make Cade Oil, a type of incense.

The next area was more open with less shade which eventually led downhill towards a dry riverbed. It was here that I found two more species of skipper; the Red-underwing Skipper and the Southern Marbled Skipper. The first of these was one which I had seen previously in southern Portugal but the Southern Marbled Skipper was completely new for me. It is the rarer of the two, being confined mostly to Spain but with a few scattered populations in southern France and Italy too. It can be differentiated from similar species by its whitish underside veins and prominent white markings on the upperside.

Walking up from the dry riverbed took me towards an area of open scrub and maquis where I found some interesting insects. The Semipunctated Shieldbug was found on certain Fennel plants here, whilst a species of Mylabris beetle and the Antlion Myrmecaelurus trigrammus were also found here. Bees of the area included the large and impressive Xylocopa cantabrita (a type of carpenter bee) as well as an attractive little black and white Thyreus bee. Interestingly, there a large and robust fly feeding on the Mediterranean Thyme just like Xylocopa cantabrita which mimicked it rather well. This is a common trend in nature, where harmless flies have evolved to resemble species of bees and wasps which have the capacity to sting, thus allowing them to fool would-be predators. Wasps I saw here were similar to those seen at lower altitudes near Maro, such as Stizus ruficornis but in addition I also saw a large species of cutworm wasp, a member of the genus Sphex. Along the path I also stumbled across an Erodius beetle, otherwise known as a Dune Beetle. It was a large and sluggish beetle which I decided to place off the path in case it was trodden on! Further up the hillside again I came across a large dragonfly which I later identifies as a Large Pincertail, another new species for me.ย 

Close to this area was the Fuente del Esparto, a mountain spring upon which a small stone outlet has been constructed. It was almost strange to hear running water when so much of the surrounding countryside was so warm and dry. Around this area too I encountered one of the highlights of the trip, a mother Spanish Ibex and her young. Unfortunately my camera was kitted out primarily for close-up work on insects and flowers, which combined with their wary nature meant that I couldn’t get too close and the photos are a tad fuzzy, but it was a lovely animal to have seen for even the few seconds that i was treated with.

I ended up climbing up to around 800m, but at this point there was a lot of thick mist and cloud and the previously abundant insects had mostly disappeared for the time being. I decided to make my way down and among some patches of flowers there were still a few butterflies feeding on the Mediterranean Thyme, notably the Blue-spot Hairstreak.ย  This feisty little butterfly was rather abundant along the majority of the trail, often chasing off other Blue-spots as well as much bigger butterflies like Striped Graylings! Sage Skippers were also present in this area, as was a lone Bath White.

Admittedly there wasn’t a lot that I stopped and photographed on the way down as fatigue was starting to get the better of me, but here are a few final photos of some other plants and insects that I found along the way. In my next post I’ll be documenting my finds in another section of the Sierra de Almijara further inland, which threw up a few local specialities!

Mediterranean Skipper, Nerja, Spain, July 2020

Nerja and Maro: wildlife highlights July 2020

July 23, 2020 /

Nerja and Maro are two towns nestled along the Costa del Sol in Andalusia in southern Spain, an area which sees droves of tourists flock their each year, especially in the summer to avail of the abundant sunshine and pristine beaches. One of the lesser-known facets of the region is its wonderfully rich wildlife. The Sierra Nevada near Granada (some 50 km away) is a popular site for ecotourism, but Nerja and its neighbour still receive little attention by comparison. This July I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to explore the area and see what it had to offer.

Andalusia is one of the hottest regions in Europe and come July much of the land (particularly that which is low-lying or near the coast) can look parched and barren. A closer look however can reveal a community ofย  plants and insects which are well-adapted to survive the intense summer sunshine. In some of the areas of wasteground and scrub outside the towns plants such as Mediterranean Thyme, Sand Viper’s Bugloss and Arabian Pea can be found:

The Mediterranean Thyme in particular is a popular nectar source for the various insects which inhabit the area, especially butterflies. Typical Mediterranean species such as the European Swallowtail, Long-tailed Blue, Southern Blue, Southern Brown Argus, Small Copper and Bath White were all attracted to the profusion of lilac flowers. The Southern Blue and Southern Brown Argus are Iberian counterparts of the Common Blue and Brown Argus respectively, which occur elsewhere in Europe and it was nice to see both again after finding them in southern Portugal a few years ago.ย  ย The Geranium Bronze is another butterfly species which can be readily seen in the area, although more often in parks and gardens. It is a non-native species from South Africa which arrived in Europe in the 1980s via imported Geraniums (its larval foodplant) and is now very much a Mediterranean denizen.

In addition to these commoner species, I was treated to a couple of local specialities; the Monarch,ย  Mediterranean Skipper and Desert Orange Tip. The former is probably the most famous butterfly in the world, due to its large size and annual migration across North America, when thousands of individuals cross en masse from the north to the south of the continent. In Europe however it is somewhat of a rarity and such migrations are not undertaken, as it is a resident in the south of Spain as well as the Canary Islands. It is another relatively recent coloniser, thanks in part due to the widespread planting of its foodplant, Milkweed in parks and gardens throughout the area over the last few decades. The Mediterranean Skipper on the other hand is native, but quite patchy throughout the Mediterranean region. It is a small nondescript species but a very fast flier, so I was lucky to get a few shots of this rarity before it flew off! The Desert Orange Tip is more of a north African species, but it just manages to creep onto the European continent here in southern Spain. It likes very hot, rocky areas and a managed to find an individual near one of Maro’s beaches, a fine male basking in the sun.

Other than butterflies, the area was also home to several different varieties of dragonfly as well as spiders, wasps and shieldbugs. The Violet Dropwing was the standout dragonfly species, with its rich red and violet colouration it was the most spectacular dragonfly I’ve ever seen. The Keeled Skimmer was also present and whilst not as striking as the previous species its rich blue colour makes it an attractive dragonfly in its own right. Striped Shieldbugs were present on some of the Fennel plants growing in the area, whilst the impressive Violet Carpenter Bee (one of Europe’s largest bees) was seen a few times on the Mediterranean Thyme and Yellow Restharrow.

Although they terrify some people, the wasps and spiders of the area are in reality quite harmless as long as they aren’t pestered and are usually much more interested in flowers or catching other insects than they are in people. The most impressive spider in the region (and the largest in Europe) is the Gibraltar Funnel-web Spider. It is a large, black spider which constructs cylindrical webs deep among the dry vegetation. They are not a particularly common species and consequently are protected in Spain. Another spider of interest was the Napoleon Spider. This species is much smaller but thanks to its striking red and black colouration, it can be spotted easily. The wasps I found in the outskirts of Nerja included the Red-horned Sand Digger, the French Paper Wasp and the formidable Beewolf. The latter is a particularly interesting species, as it creates burrows in areas of sandy soil before catching and paralysing honeybees to deposit in the burrows for its larvae, which develop safely within the burrow and feed on the honeybees. Gruesome, but a fascinating life cycle.

As expected, bird activity was quite low. A few Starlings, Spanish Sparrows and Spotted Flycatchers were seen in the vicinity of where I was staying, likely availing of the abundance of insects around! I also managed to find some kind of hawk or falcon patrolling the area close to the Maro Aqueduct, but I didn’t get close enough views to determine an ID. Reptiles were also present (as they often are in Mediterranean climes), in particular lizards. The Large Psammodromus was the most commonly seen lizard, visible almost everywhere on hot rocky surfaces particularly in the morning. A few Moorish Geckos were also present in our postbox of all places! I also managed to find a frog near one of the irrigation channels beside the Avocado groves nearby, as well as a snake beside the Cuevas de Nerja, but unfortunately I wasn’t able to get a good enough look at either to figure out what species they were. All in all however it was a very rich area in wildlife and I would recommend it to anyone with an interest in nature, particularly insects as there were far more species present in addition to those I have mentioned, and this was only during July. I am certain there would be a whole host of other species here during the spring in particular. Someday I hope to go back here in April or May to witness the fine display of spring flowers and butterflies that Andalusia is known for. In the next post I will document some of my hikes into the nearby Sierra de Almijara, which had a few surprises of their own…

 

The French Pyrenees – Part 2 – July 2019

August 18, 2019 /

On the third and fourth days of our trip to Gavarnie, we decided to walk up the Val d’Ossoue, a meandering valley which ultimately leads to Vignemale, the highest of the French Pyrenees. Our goal however was not this peak but a picturesque reservoir about 9km along the valley; one which would hopefully be much more achievable! What was interesting about this valley was that despite its close proximity to the Cirque, the scenery and wildlife were rather contrasting.

After stopping in the shop to stock up on food and water we made our way to the foot of the valley on what was looking like a much nicer day. A small meadow near the Gavarnie carpark was alive with butterflies including dozens of Marbled Whites, a few Meadow Browns, Silver-washed Fritillaries, Heath Fritillaries and a few fresh Scarce Coppers. The road led through a small patch of woodland where we saw our first few False Heath Fritillaries of the trip. A couple of damp patches on the road attracted some beautifully-marked Marbled Skippers, as well as more Silver-washed Fritillaries, Chalkhill Blues and Safflower Skippers.

The wooded area soon gave way to more open meadows adjacent to rocky slopes. We were treated to some soaring Lammergeiers and Griffon Vulturesย  overhead, whilst we heard some calling Marmots further up the hillsides. A Comma was found nectaring by the pathway whilst a rotting bone attracted several Chalkhill Blues as well as an unexpected Amanda’s Blue! Butterflies have a gruesome side too it would seem!

A flowery area beside a small car park had some mudpuddling Spotted Fritillaries, Turquoise Blues and Silver-studded Blues, whilst a rather active Purple-shot Copper of the Iberian race gordius rested only briefly on a flowerhead before zooming away down the valley. It wasn’t long before the first Meadow Fritillary was seen, another target species similar to the Heath Fritillary but with a much less heavily-marked upperside.

With all the butterflies I’ll admit I was a little distracted, but I did manage to spot some Houseleek plants, as well as Round-headed Leek and St. Bruno’s Lily. Past this open area the pathway sticks close to a rock face which continues for a few kilometres. The sun was angled on the rocks which attracted a basking Wall Lizard. Some damp patches by the edges of the road attracted more Spotted Fritillaries as well some Small Skippers, Silver-studded Blues and one or two Escher’s Blues, the first of the trip and another target species!

Near the boundary of the national park there was a small rope bridge where we had a late lunch lunch in the company of several ringlet species, including the Western Brassy Ringlet, Piedmont Ringlet, Lefebvre’s Ringlet and Mountain Ringlet. After lunch we decided to explore the damp riverside areas where we encountered dozens of mudpuddling butterflies. Most were Silver-studded Blues but there were a few Small, Essex and Silver-spotted Skippers, Heath and Meadow Fritillaries, Escher’s Blues, Chalkhill Blues and a solitary Mazarine Blue. Nearby on Yarrow we also noted a beautiful male Scarce Copper, showing off its stunning upperside whilst feeding rather obliviously to us.

After we had finished exploring the river banks it was nearing 4pm and with the descent still to complete, we decided not to press any further and turned back with the intention of getting a well deserved drink! The journey back down the valley also proved very productive, with the milder temperatures resulting in more sedated butterflies. Several Apollos glided down from the hillsides to feed on Knapweed and they were joined by Marbled Whites and a few Lesser Marbled Fritillaries. I spotted an Escher’s Blue perched nicely on a Scabious flower which was soon followed by a Turquoise Blue sunning itself by the roadside. Several other species were roosting or basking in the meadows on the journey down, including Spotted, Meadow and False Heath Fritillaries, Silver-spotted, Small, Safflower and Marbled Skippers, a Southern White Admiral, Large Wall Browns and several Chalkhill Blues.

After taking a few final photos we made our way to our B&B before dinner. I was delighted after such a successful day but I still wanted to get to the picturesque Barrage d’Ossoue and Anna agreed so the next morning we set off again.

Due to how long it took us yesterday we decided to try our luck at hitch hiking our way there and back. We only had to wait 5 minutes before an obliging French couple agreed to take us most of the way; to around 3km before the dam itself. It was another beautiful day and after walking for only a few minutes we were treated to the sighting of a rather inquisitive Marmot who sat on the dirt track quite obediently. A couple of hundred metres further up the track were some small mountain streams flowing across our path which attracted a cluster of mupuddling blues. Among them was a real alpine specialist and one which I was delighted to see, the Glandon Blue. A solitary female was unremarkable in appearance but this rare species is only found in sub-alpine and alpine areas of the Alps and Pyrenees, making it a wonderful find.

I was chuffed after finding the Glandon Blue, however seeing it was somewhat eclipsed by the sighting of its even scarcer mountain-dwelling relative, the Gavarnie Blue. This similar species has a brighter upperside with little or no black on its underside hindwing spots, helping confirm its identity. It is only found in a few sites in the Pyrenees and the Picos de Europe in northern Spain and was by far the find of the trip.

In the final kilometre or so before the dam there were numerous other species of butterfly, such as the Apollo, Clouded Yellow, Chalkhill Blue, Turquoise Blue, Heath Fritillary, Dark Green Fritillary and Marbled Skipper, mostly taking minerals from the damp ground. By the time we reached the dam we were ready for lunch which we had on a grassy bank surrounded by Turquoise, Escher’s and Silver-studded Blues, Apollos, Safflower Skippers, Lefebvre’s Ringlets and a few new species such as the Large Grizzled Skipper and the mountain dwelling Shepherd’s Fritillary, two lovely additions which capped off a fabulous butterfly list for the holiday. With cloudless skies, pristine alpine water and abundant wildlife, I can’t imagine that it will be long before I’m back here; a truly magical spot. OB

Cluj-napoca, Romania, June 2019

July 4, 2019 /
  • After spending nearly two weeks in the remote Apuseni Mountains in the north-west of Transylvania, I ended up spending two days in Cluj-napoca, Romania’s second city. After reading the word ‘city’ you would be forgiven for thinking that that would spell the end of my butterflying for the trip; but to go Cluj in early summer and not look for butterflies would be too good an opportunity to miss.

Cluj lies within walking distance of one of Romania’s top butterfly hotspots; a small wildlife reserve known as Fรขnaศ›ele Clujului which translates loosely as the “Fountains of Cluj”. An odd name considering that there are no fountains or springs! It is a small area with a wide range of habitats such as calcareous grassland, fens, light scrub and species-rich meadows.ย  I was able to find out that some rare species occurred in this area, including the Tessellated Skipper, Spinose Skipper, Zephyr Blue, Eastern Short-tailed Blue and Lesser Clouded Yellow, as well as 90 or so other species.

On the 2nd of June I set off from my hotel early in the morning to allow myself plenty of time to stop and take photos along the way. The city was very quiet at this time which made my walk all the more pleasant. My first job was to climb up a rather lengthy slope, which was a tough job in the increasingly hot morning sun! Some mist was building up as the slope levelled off and it was at this point that I found my first butterflies. A construction site entrance adjacent to a wonderfully rich meadow was home to dozens of roosting blues and Chestnut Heaths. The blues were mostly Silver-studded Blues, but there were a few Idas, Chapman’s and Osiris Blues in the mix, all of which were new species for me. They were also joined by a Wood White and what I believe was a Nickerl’s Fritillary. The mist had made them a bit groggy, so photography was relatively easy for once!

I spent around half an hour photographing the sleepy blues before continuing along the pathway where the meadow opened up and by this stage the mist had almost vanished. The sward here was short and there were fewer butterflies around, but after I passed some locals picking herbs I walked into a more sheltered scrubby area which was teaming with all sorts of species. In addition to the butterflies I had already seen that morning, I found Common Blues, a Knapweed Fritillary, Glanville Fritillary and a Painted Lady and it wasn’t even 10 o’clock yet!

After another 20 minutes I eventually reached the crest of the hill, offering me a nice view over Cluj. Yellowhammers,ย  Meadow Pipits, Whitethroats, Blackbirds and other songsters were in full swing which made for a wonderful ambience. Here the landscape was slightly different; with fields of lucerne and other fallow crops growing beside damp boggy patches. Walking along the field margins I caught sight of a small orange butterfly, which I immediately thought was some type of copper. I followed it and it landed nicely for me on some low-growing crops and I was able to identify it as a female Lesser Fiery Copper. I was stoked at finding this species as it is only found in SE Europe and within Romania it is rather scarce.

At a small crossroad I noticed again what was another fairly small orange species, but slightly bigger than the Lesser Fiery Copper. It landed in a patch of long grass next to some Greater Water Dock and just as I spotted my very first Large Copper and was about to photograph it it flew away! Despite searching for a good 15 minutes I couldn’t find it again, which left me a little bit frustrated. My frustration soon left me however when I caught sight of a small dark fritillary, which I believe was an Assmann’s Fritillary, a local eastern European species similar to the Heath Fritillary and one of my targets for the trip.ย  Continuing along the path towards a hamlet I came across a meadow rich in wildlflowers such as Sainfoin, Clover, Nodding Sage and Ox-eye Daisy which in turn hosted numerous butterfly species. Meadows like this are few and far between in Ireland so I spent plenty of time here just appreciating the shear level of biodiversity in such a small space. In addition to the various blues I’d seen earlier that morning, I caught sight of my first Black-veined White, a Pale/Berger’s Clouded Yellow, a Wall Brown and a small brown Lycaenidae butterfly which I recognised as a Geranium Argus, another fairly scarce species in Romania.

The path led me through a small hamlet where I again saw Silver-studded and Osiris Blues flitting amongst the verges, along with a European Swallowtail. By this stage it was getting rather warm; great for the butterflies but maybe not for the walker! The dirt track led me down past a few more houses and a church, across a river and back up another hill where I could now see the reserve and its distinctive dirt mounds, or ‘Copรขrsaie’ quite clearly. The area where I entered the reserve was an area of short, dry grassland which was alive with blues, mostly Silver-studded and Idas, as well as Black-veined Whites and a few Green Hairstreaks and Chestnut Heaths. I also noticed a large number of Cockchafer Beetles buzzing around and clambering amongst the rose and hawthorn bushes. The dense scrub made parts of the reserve hard to get to but I was able to find a large gap which led to me towards the northern parts behind the copรขrsaie where the meadows were much more lush and varied. It was here that I encountered a few skippers which I frantically followed trying to see if and of themย  were the elusive Spinose or Tessellated Skippers. Unfortunately I was to come away from the reserve having seen neither, but on a more positive note I identified them as Safflower Skippers and Oberthur’s Grizzled Skipper; both new species for me! I spent a good hour or two exploring the rest of this area where I was able to find another target species, the Eastern Short-tailed Blue. As its name suggests it is an eastern European species and it has a patchy distribution so I was delighted to get some got shots of a nice female. Scrambling through some of the dense scrub I disturbed a Black Hairstreak which just hung around long enough for a photo and a lovely male Osiris Blue.

By this stage it had reached around 3 in the afternoon and I decided to head back, as the walk itself would take several hours. Whilst leaving the reserve I managed to get some photographs of the Black-veined White, which despite me seeing many of them earlier that day this individual was the only one that actually landed for me! The salts and moisture on the stony pathway seemed to entice it to stop for a minute or two at last. The walk back past some Lucerne fields threw up another interesting species, an Eastern Pale Clouded Yellow. This species is similar to the Clouded Yellow but has unmarked dark borders and is slightly paler in colour. This is another scarce eastern species which is much more abundant in parts of Asia but migrates north and westwards each year, and another one I’d been hoping to see!

Further back along the path towards the hill I once again searched without success for the Large Copper. In addition to the other species I had failed to find this made me determined to come back some year and try and find them. After another hour or two of walking I was back at my hotel and discovered on my phone that I had walked over 21km, which explained the sore feet! I spent the following day resting bar one small walk I did at the back of the hotel which extended out across a flat grassy plainย  adjacent to the airport. It was a cloudier day with little butterfly activity however I was able to add the Provencal Short-tailed Blue to my list of new species. I initially thought it was just a Holly Blue but it was behaving slightly differently and when I got up close I noticed the distinctive underside and was jubilant that once again, I had found a new species that wasn’t particularly common in this part of Romania! All in all it was a fantastic few days during which I managed to see nearly 40 species including a whole mass of first-timers for me. Add into this the species I had seen in the Apuseni Mts and it makes for an impressive list.

I hope this helps to highlight Transylvania’s fantastic biodiversity as well as the fact that Romania is in fact a premier butterfly destination with a huge wealth of different species. It is somewhere I would love to go back to so here’s hoping I get the chance!

Irish Shieldbugs

May 18, 2019 /

Shieldbugs are some of Ireland’s most familiar insects , getting their name from their shield-like body. They belong to the order Hemiptera or ‘True Bugs’, which also includes other familiar insects like Pond Skaters, Water Scorpions, Aphids and Flower Bugs.

Most shieldbugs are herbivorous, using their pointed mouthparts to feed on sap from a variety of plants but some may be carnivorous, feeding on soft-bodied moth or beetle larvae. They mostly hibernate as adults, hiding away in sheltered places to emerge and breed in the spring. The eggs are laid either individually or in clusters and the nymphs which subsequently emerge resemble the adults but are smaller, with no wings and a more rounded shape and are often seen in the summer months. They will spend 6-10 weeks in this stage before moulting and reaching the adult stage.

In Ireland there are 17 species of Shieldbug present, but only 6 of these have been recorded in my area. The commonest species in my garden is the Green Shield Bug, Palomena prasina which frequents hedgerows, shrubs and trees, feeding in particular on bramble. It is found throughout Ireland but is rare in the north and the central counties.

Another common species in the garden is the Gorse Shieldbug (Piezodorus lituratus) which is almost always found on gorse bushes. It is slightly smaller than the previous species with varying shades of green, blending in with gorse seed pods rather well. It is common in Ireland in areas of heath, scrub and gardens.

The third is the appropriately named Forest Shieldbug,ย Pentatoma rufipes.ย It is easy to identify being the only brown coloured shieldbug in the garden. It is fond of feeding on Oak and Alder trees but I suspect the ones that I have observed are feeding on Willow, Ash or Hazel. It is typically seen in the Autumn.

Two other similar-looking species that occur in the garden from time to time are the Hawthorn (Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale) and Birch (Elasmostethus interstinctus) Shieldbugs. As their names would suggest they feed primarily on Hawthorn and Birch respectively, but will also take Hazel, Oak and Aspen. Both species are predominantly green with brown markings, with the Birch Shieldbug being slightly smaller and brighter.

The final species, the Hairy Shieldbug (Dolycoris baccarum) is a recently established species, having spread northwards from the south of Ireland; my observations are possibly Ireland’s northernmost record! It is a peculiar member of this family being the only representative covered in hairs (hence its name). It is reportedly found in tall grassland, scrub and woodland edges and feeds mainly on Blackthorn.

I would suspect that the habitat in my local area would be suitable for a few other species, such as the Bronze and Parent Shieldbugs, but I am yet to see them. Maybe if I spend enough time clambering through thickets and scrub I’ll find a few to add to the list!

Spring Butterflies 2019

May 4, 2019 /

After a long winter, the first few days of warm sun and clear skies were very welcome. With it, there came the first few butterflies of the year. In the north of Ireland, it’s Peacocks and Small Tortoiseshells which emerge first, usually in late March where they will be found sunning themselves and feeding on dandelions. They often are quite tattered and dull, due a long winter spent in a tree hollow or shed having emerged the previous summer. It’s only in late April or early May however that the variety of butterflies starts to really increase.

Orange Tips are real springtime butterflies, emerging just as their foodplant, Cuckooflower begins to bloom. Males will perch or patrol their territory in the hope of coming across a female, who tends to fly slower along the verges in search of egg-laying sites. Green-veined Whites also share this foodplant and tend to emerge around the same time. In early May they are further joined by emerging Small and Large Whites, who tend to prefer gardens and rich flowery areas and the Irish speciality the Cryptic Wood White.

In woodland areas and sometimes in gardens, Holly Blues will emerge alongside the ever-present Speckled Wood. The Holly Blue is one species in Ireland that has been steadily increasing in both range and abundance for several years now. I had never seen one in my garden until around 2012/2013 and now they are seen every spring, with the occasional one in late summer. In scrubby areas, especially near bogland, Green Hairstreaks are a welcome sight. These little green jewels dart around bilberry and gorse bushes before landing suddenly and angling their wings towards the sun to warm themselves up.

Aside from butterflies, there are many other creatures who show themselves once the days begin to lengthen and the weather picks up. Queens of the Early, Garden, Buff-tailed, White-tailed, Red-tailed and Common Carder Bumblebees awake after a long hibernation in our gardens and woodlands and immediately start searching for fresh dandelions and willow blossom to replenish their energy levels before starting a new colony. In more rugged rural areas they are joined by the Heath, Moss Carder and Red-shanked Bumblebees. Solitary bees also start to appear around this time, with species such as the Ashy Grey Mining Bee buzzing in and out of their burrows.

Along with our resident bird species, we welcome visitors from Africa and Europe such as the Cuckoo, Swallow, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Sedge Warbler and House Martin to name but a few, who soon fill the air with their songs and calls. With Daffodils blooming, tree leaves bursting out and Bluebells carpeting our woodland floors, how can you not love spring?

Zadar and Paklenica: July 2018 (Day 4)

September 18, 2018 /

Before I came to Zadar, one area I read about consistently whilst searching various websites for information on Croatia’s wildlife was Paklenica National Park. From what I could gather it was filled with interesting rock formations, pristine forests, a myriad of wildflowers and tonnes of different animal species; so when the day came where I was finally able to visit it I admit I was rather excited!

Because I only had one day to visit I planned a route which would allow me to see as wide a variety of wildlife as possible, or so I hoped. My planned route would take me from the entrance of the park, through a large gorge up 400m to a small hut. From there I would ascend a further 1000m up a valley through Beech and Pine woodland to a large, open mountain meadow called Struge and then return to the park’s entrance. All in all it would take me about 10 hours to complete so on the 28th of July I woke at 5 in the morning full of anticipation!

After a 30 minute drive I began my hike. Starting at 6:30 allowed me to get a good portion of my walking done before the sun rose above the gorge and it got too hot. After about an hour of walking I reached the Paklenica Mountain Hut, where I took a much-needed break. The temperature was creeping up steadily and it wasn’t long until I saw my first butterflies of the day. 5 minutes from the hut was a small hostel with some patches of Cream Scabious flowers, which attracted a lovely range of species, including Queen of Spain, Silver-washed and High Brown Fritillaries, Southern Small Whites and Large and Mallow Skippers. At this point the pathway became a little more ambiguous so I stopped to ask the hostel owner, who insisted that i take some local Rakija before we spoke, which I politely declined (homemade brandy before 9am before an arduous hike above steep cliffs seemed like a dodgy idea) Under the assurance that I would be back later for a drink, he guided me in the right direction and I was on my way.

From this point the path veered westwards, as I began to walk through the dense Pine and Beech woodland up the side of one of several valleys and the shade it provided was rather welcome. The odd clearing allowed for several flowers to grow, such as Wild Thyme, Italian Eryngo, Allium, Cream Scabious and Greater Knapweed, which in turn attracted many butterflies. Holly Blues were rather numerous, along with Silver-washed Fritillaries and Woodland Graylings, with the odd Marbled White and Pearly Heath making an appearance. I was delighted to find Meleager’s and Chalkhill Blues, as they were both new species for me. As I climbed higher to around 1000m, Scotch Argus butterflies became quite abundant, although they were very reluctant to settle for me!

As I continued to ascend the landscape opened up and I soon found myself among light scrub with a whole new host of species. Crag Martins and Swifts soared above the peaks, along with what I believe to be Choughs and the odd larger bird of prey, mostly Peregrine Falcons. Thyme and Scabious flowers hugged the path’s edges, which in turned were hugged by Blue-spot Hairstreaks. One or two Mountain Small Whites were about along with the usual combination of Fritillaries (Silver-washed, High Brown and Queen of Spain). A Great Sooty Satyr perched nicely on the pathway in front of me, as did several Meadow Browns, Scotch Arguses and Graylings. The star of the show was one of the prime targets of the trip: the Apollo. The large mountain butterfly glided around the rocky pass as if it was viewing its kingdom and it had a certain ‘aura’, which despite the myriad of other species flying around, managed to totally captivate me.

Just on up from the Buljma Pass was Struge, the large alpine meadow which was as far as I had planned to go. It was odd that two locations in such close proximity would display such a contrasting range of species. Gentian flowers, Thyme, Scabious and Thistles, along with several fine grasses, dominated this area, which was fringed by clumps of Dwarf Pine, a species restricted to mountains. Mountain Small Whites and High Brown Fritillaries , along with Chalkhill Blues, were very abundant here. Several Erebia species, such as the Mountain, Black and Ottoman Brassy Ringlets flew here too which was a real highlight for me. I sat there for about 45 minutes just soaking up the atmosphere, as long as I could spare before it was time for me to begin my descent.

On my way down in addition to many species mentioned already, I saw a Brimstone and a rather fierce-looking Stag Beetle, as well as a Southern Comma and a Balkan Whip Snake. I’ll admit I didn’t pay as much attention to the wildlife on the way down, as my descent was hastened by the promise of dinner by the promenade in Zadar! My only stop was for an ice-cold beer in the hostel before meeting mum again in the car park; not a bad way to finish the hike!

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