Dordogne TR 12-ammended - The Travelling Naturalist

The Dordogne : Butterflies, Birds, Orchids and Prehistory
Saturday 5th – Friday 11th May 2012
Leader: David Simpson
Day 1 (Sat 5th May) – Arrival Bergerac Airport
and travel to Hotel Le Barrage, Mauzac
I always wait for the flight arrival towards the
eastern boundary of the airport so I know when the
flight comes in - but also to do a spot of birding. It
is often a good area for birds of prey. This time did
not disappoint: 6 Kestrels, 4 Buzzards, 4 Black
Kites and a Hobby were a nice haul (the week
before I watched two Short-toed Eagles
hunting)….and a Nightingale was singing in the car
park as usual.
River Dordogne: Morning mist at Mauzac (DP)
The flight landed on time and our Travelling
Naturalist group were soon emerging from
the small ‘Arrivals’ building to be greeted by
David. Bergerac is the perfect type of airport:
small but efficient. After quick introductions
we all climbed aboard the minibus and
headed swiftly to the pretty Hotel Le Barrage
at Mauzac on the banks of the Dordogne
River, our base for the week.
River Dordogne: Mute Swans above Mauzac Dam (DP)
At the hotel we were warmly greeted by
Amanda, our hostess for the week. After
dropping off suitcases we soon reconvened
back in the hotel dining room for the first of
many lovely meals. Our backdrop through
the picture window was a mass of Mute
Swans gently drifting to and fro on the river
beyond the quay. A soothing way to end the
day!
Day 2 (Sun 6th May) – Local Dordogne Valley
For the first full day we visited local sites to familiarise
the group with landscapes and species – and to help
orientate ourselves. What better place to start than
outside the front door! We began with a gentle stroll to
the Mauzac Barrage or dam. Normally at this time of
year there are gravel banks attractive to birds, however
with the Dordogne in full spate, bird watching was a
little more problematical. However we did have a nice
view of the Grey Heronry downstream and noted two
Yellow-legged Gulls, a Little Egret and several Black
Kites along the river. The riverside vegetation was
encouraging with three singing Nightingales, a Turtle
Dove showing nicely and a Firecrest.
Grey Heron (DP)
Next we continued downstream along the riverbank road, bird watching as we went. It was
nice to find a group of Sand Martins around us, showing their white bellies and brown breast-
band clearly. Further on we stopped at the
attractive fortified town (bastide) of Lalinde. This
was the first English bastide of the Hundred Years
War in the 13th century. At the church we found a
couple of Crag Martins, with nice views of one on
a ledge through the ‘scope. It was helpful to
contrast this species with the Swallows, Swifts
and House Martins (and the Sand Martins we had
just seen). As we walked around the town we saw
many Tree Sparrows on the gutters, rooves and in
gardens, including a pair mating! A Hobby dashed
across the sky above us to complete the picture.
Then it was time to return to the hotel for a nice
by the river.
River Dordogne: Lalinde (JL)
After lunch we visited the hill next to David’s house and
gite. The weather improved and we fancied our luck with
butterflies. The habitat here is limestone grassland and
scrub surrounded by oak forest. Berger’s Pale Clouded
Yellows were common, as were Small Heaths. Wood
White, Speckled Wood (very orangey spots) and Green
Hairstreak were also seen. A large, pale, little-marked
female Wall Brown was probably just that – after high
hopes from David that we had found the rare Large Wall
Brown (thanks for the photo Julian), which was checked
by European butterfly expert Matt Rowlings). All the
while many beautiful black and yellow Ascalaphids
Libelloides coccajus skimmed over the grass tops like
dragonflies, predating small insects. We had more luck
with the orchids. In quick succession on the grassland
areas we found Green-winged, Lady, Pyramidal, Fly and
Burnt Orchids plus Sword-leaved Helleborine, as well as
the leaves of Greater Butterfly and Lizard Orchids and
Broad-leaved Helleborine. The prize however, was the
rare Sombre Bee Orchid almost hidden amongst grass
tussocks beneath our feet along the track. As we walked
Lady Orchid (DP)
on another Hobby graced us with a fly-by. In the forest
we added the beautiful Violet Limodore (or Violet Birds-nest Orchid) and the strange
colourless Common Birds-nest Orchid - both saprophytes.
Cuckoos, Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and Bonelli’s Warblers
sang and Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers called from
the forest (as they did all week). Common Wall Lizards
rustled amongst the vegetation as we walked – a very
common species in Dordogne in almost all habitats. A dead
shrew was found which was almost certainly Greater Whitetoothed, and a Red Squirrel was seen from the minibus. Field
Crickets also serenaded us all the while and one of these
large brown insects showed itself briefly.
After all these orchids we turned to a little amphibian
spotting. First we called in on the little pond at Pechambert,
cut out of the limestone to water stock years ago. Here we
were treated to splendid views of Marbled Newts, the size of
Great-Cresteds, but with startling yellowy-green females and
darker green males (with crest). Also present were Palmate
Newts (not restricted to acid waters as in UK) and large green
frogs. A Broad-bodied Chaser dragonfly had recently
Broad-bodied Chaser (DP)
emerged – a good photo opportunity - and a small unknown fritillary butterfly zoomed away
from us (probably Weaver’s).
Last stop before returning to the hotel was my local hamlet of Saint Meyme de Rozens, where
we found several small Fire Salamander larvae in the spring pool.
Day 3 (Mon 7th May) – Causse de Daglan
The weather was forecast warm and sunny and so we planned a butterfly day. We headed off
to the Causse de Daglan in south-eastern Dordogne. These dry stony limestone hills are a
Natura 2000 site and particularly noted for their butterflies.
As we parked up under the walnut tree by the little quarry we saw a male Stonechat with food
on a bush. We walked across the meadow and up the track into the site. Several fritillaries
flitted past, posing briefly on flowers – Weaver’s (so easy to confuse with other ‘PearlBordered types’), and Queen of Spain (showing the large silver spots on the underside). A
Duke of Burgundy was a nice surprise. Skippers were showing well near the truffle-oak
orchard with Dingy, Grizzled, Mallow and Red-underwing (similar to Grizzled). A search for
a possible Subalpine Warbler singing could not confirm this species but it led to nice views of
a male Adonis Blue for some of the group. Other butterflies included European and Scarce
Swallowtails, Orange-tip, Berger’s and Common Clouded Yellows, Common Blue, Brown
Argus, Red Admiral, Comma and Wall Brown. Latticed Heath and Burnet Companion Moths
were common and large noisy Violet Carpenter Bees buzzed about. A Roman Snail was
found by the track together with an interesting Yellow Crab Spider and many Ascalaphids
patrolled the grasslands. Two nice orchids were found: Lady and Military.
Overhead various raptors appeared as we searched for butterflies: Kestrel, Buzzard,
Sparrowhawk and Hobby – but pride of place must go to the Short-toed Eagle which graced
us with its presence, showing its dark head, pale underside and barring nicely.
Small and Sooty Coppers whizzed around the
flowers – the dark males of the latter species
posing obligingly for the camera. On our way
back to the vehicle we picked up another blue
species – the attractive Green-underside Blue
plus the weak-flying Wood White. Numbers
and diversity of butterflies seemed low –
perhaps due to the cold, wet spring and
exceptionally cold February.
All the while Nightingales, Bonelli’s Warbler,
Blackcap and Cuckoo sang from the
surrounding scrub and forest. Firecrest, Shorttoed Treecreeper, Woodlark, Cirl Bunting and
Meadow at Saint Pompon (JL)
a migrant Willow Warbler were heard to
singing. A Brown Hare briefly showed itself as we walked back down the track.
We drove to Daglan, a lovely village in the heart of the ‘pays de pierre-seche’ (dry-stone wall
country) and had our picnic lunch by the pretty Ceou River. A lovely male Black Redstart
appeared for a while, a Hoopoe and Common Redstart sang in the distance and another
fritillary turned out to be Weaver’s. By the river near the alders and willows, the mass of
purple flowers erupting from the ground were Purple Toothwort – a parasite of alders.
After lunch we travelled to the little valley below Montalieu where we walked along the
quarry track. A male bright yellow Brimstone appeared, followed soon after by several
spectacular Cleopatra males (southern cousin of the Brimstone with an orange flash on the
forewing). Other butterflies noted included Wood White, Weaver’s Fritillary and a possible
False Heath Fritillary in the wet meadow. A small ‘Holly Blue-type’ proved to be Provencal
Short-tailed Blue, shown by the tiny black spot at the base of the vestigial tails on the
hindwing). A raptor calling alerted us to a pair of Kestrels at their nest in a high poplar.
We moved on to a small lake near St Laurent
where we found a nice Woodcock Orchid, similar
to Bee but with the yellow node at the base of the
lip pointing forwards (not down or backwards).
Several Sooty Coppers were in evidence and there
was another Provencal Short-tailed Blue. A
Melodious Warbler sang from the scrub whilst
green frogs (probably Iberian Water Frog) cackled
in the pond.
Lake at St Laurent (JL)
Sooty Copper (JL)
Fritillary posed on the flowers.
Further on we visited my old campsite at Les
Hauts de Ratebout near Belvès where they
have a beautiful meadow. Here we had nice
views of that pretty little canary-like finch, the
Serin. In the meadow were the unusual
Tongue Orchids (though fewer than normal)
plus Pyramidal and masses of Green-winged
Orchids in all shades from white to the normal
purple colour. Several Burnt-tip Orchids
completed the picture whilst a Meadow
We made a final stop at the marvellous viewpoint across the Dordogne Valley from the cliffs
above Tremolat – also a good location to watch Black Kites and other raptors.
Day 4 (Tues 8th May) – Grotte de Rouffignac and the Vézère Valley
With poor weather forecast it seemed best to visit a prehistoric cave in the morning and then
after lunch concentrate on orchid and bird watching.
Rouffigniac Cave is not a world famous cave like
Lascaux, but to me more interesting due to the
variety of features present. We arrived on a wet
grey morning at the cave entrance on time for the
first trip of the day. We walked down into the cave
and through the security door to the waiting train!
Because the cave is so long it was necessary for the
owners to install a simple electric train to take
visitors to the places of interest. The geology and
geomorphology of the cave system is fascinating:
tunnels created by glacial rivers through the
limestone rock with regular horizontal bands of
hard flint showing up clearly. On each side smaller
tunnels disappeared in to the gloom whilst above us
River Dordogne: Viewpoint Cingle de Tremolat (JL)
circular holes created by the swirling long-gone
river adorned the natural ceiling. On the side walls
we saw where Cave Bears had scratched the rock to
sharpen their claws, further on in the hard mud of the base of the cave were masses of closely
packed bear-sized holes – where these animals had hibernated 20,000 years ago! Further on
were our first images created by mankind (around 17,000 years ago): beautifully carved
engravings of mammoths and bison. A surprising sight was rather neat 18th century graffiti
left by earlier visitors – with names and dates e.g. 1776 – fortunately most had not spoiled the
prehistoric engravings. However natural formation of calcite has been responsible for
covering areas of engravings. Finally we reached the end of the line – literally – the end of
the cave tunnel, a kilometre into the hillside. Here we were invited to disembark. We walked
a short way to the final chamber with a fabulous rock canvas across the ceiling of horses,
reindeer, mammoths, ibex, bison and rhinoceros. All skilfully painted in black manganese by
artists who clearly knew their subjects well. When one thinks that this was done by artists
lying on their backs, by the light of tallow lamps, with the rock ceiling a few feet above head
height, (and after crawling for a kilometre or so) the feat is even more impressive. One horse
is so large that the artist could never have seen the whole creation himself – the floor was only
excavated a metre or two in the last century to enable visitors to reach the paintings easily.
From this last area, a large swallow hole drops away and we were told that there were more
images out of sight, including symbols and a human form. Our French guide was very
enthusiastic and excellent at lighting the features, however unfortunately his English was
rather unusual - which made understanding the finer points rather tricky.
We returned via train to the entrance suitably impressed by this incredible cave. It was good
to see the light and warmth of day again – it is a constant 13°C in the cave. Outside we
quickly found a couple of nice birds, Nuthatch and Short-toed Treecreeper, showing well.
Lunch was taken at the very pleasant Chateaubriant Restaurant in Les Eyzies – in the winter
months you can sometimes see a Wallcreeper from a window table! This time however a
couple of Crag Martins were patrolling the cliffs.
The weather had cleared somewhat after lunch and it was warming up. We drove over to a
reed-marsh in the Beune Valley. Walking across the causeway we soon heard Reed and
Cetti’s Warblers (and a Moorhen), but they proved impossible to see. A Grey Wagtail flew up
and was soon gone. We walked up the hill to a meadow where there was a nice display of
Early Purple Orchids and a few Green-winged. A couple of Roe Deer disappeared in to the
wood before most of us saw them and a Brown Hare and some Rabbits showed briefly. A
Weaver’s Fritillary and the moths Latticed Heath, Speckled Yellow and Burnet Companion
braved the dull conditions and a Beautiful Demoiselle briefly appeared, not Western
Demoiselle as first thought. Small blue damselflies by the stream were probably the Azure
Bluet. A Marsh Tit called from the trees above us and rather bizarrely a Tawny Owl hooted
briefly in broad daylight. A rather nice horned black beetle proved to be the Minatour
Typhaenus typhous (thanks Peter).
Next we crossed over to the other nearby
Beune Valley and a good wet meadow site.
Here there was a fine display of Early Marsh
Orchids. Weaver’s Fritillary and Small
Heath butterflies took to the wing in the
improving conditions. Peter and David found
a frog in the wet grass, this turned out to be
an Agile Frog, the southern counterpart of
our Common Frog in UK.
Further up the valley we stopped at a
roadside grassland with views towards the
Weaver's Fritillary (DP)
dramatic ruined Knights Templar castle of
Commarque, seemingly lost in this now
isolated wooded valley. Here the range of orchids was made up of Green-winged, Fly,
Pyramidal, Lady, Lizard (in leaf) and some fresh spikes of (rather late!) Early Spider plus
Sword-leaved Helleborine. Butterflies were becoming active with the sunnier spells and
included Wall, Sooty Copper, Weaver’s Fritillary, Berger’s Clouded Yellow and Wood
White, plus Dingy and Grizzled Skippers.
The final stop of the day was a quarry where
Eagle Owls have nested for the past few years.
Unfortunately they did not show but we were
recompensed with brief views of a Black
Woodpecker (which also called strangely)
plus two Short-toed Eagles. Comma, Speckled
Wood and Large White butterflies were noted
and a Common Clubtail dragonfly perched
briefly on a bush above our heads.
Day 5 (Weds 9th May) – Landais Forest
Today we visited the Landais Forest north of
Commarque Castle (JL)
Bergerac, a nice mosaic of pine and deciduous
forest with heathland on sandy ground, crisscrossed by little streams. Truly off the beaten track. On route we saw the Crag Martins flying
around the spire of the church at Lalinde.
As soon as we got out of the minibus, Golden
Oriole and Hoopoe could be heard singing in
nearby trees. As we walked through the giant
Tree Heath scrub, a Tree Pipit performed its
parachute songflight for us. A Common
Redstart sang its sad little ditty from a pine
branch and gave good views through the
‘scope. A Hoopoe gave us a nice fly past and
then a rather fine Cuckoo posed on a bare
branch. A couple of Roe Deer appeared for a
few seconds before melting back in to the
forest. Further along in a group of pines we had
tantalising views of a couple of Crested Tits
busy amongst the foliage, their soft purred trill
Walking in the Landais Forest (DP)
giving their presence away. As we reached a
junction in the tracks a pair of Hen Harriers drifted
past to our left – beautiful birds. As we reached the
end of the forest section a Black Woodpecker flew
out in front of the trees to our right before
disappearing again. Passing a section of oak
woodland we listened for Wood Warbler - which I
had recently heard singing here – initially there
seemed nothing but Richard thought he had briefly
heard something. Two Dartford Warblers sang from
dense gorse scrub on the way back, but sadly did
not show themselves.
Ascalaphid Libelloides coccajus (DP)
Scarce Swallowtail (DP)
As the weather warmed and brightened,
butterflies took to the wing - firstly Provencal
Short-tailed Blue, then Short-tailed Blue (this
latter species with an orange spot by the tail
base on the rear hindwing). A lovely Southern
White Admiral glided past and briefly alighted
for photographers. Even more exciting was at
least two Chequered Skippers near the stream
– a rare species in Dordogne and not
previously recorded at this site. As we walked
on we also found Brimstone, Sooty Copper
(several), Green-veined White and a mass of Ascalaphids over the meadow. Peter found an oil
beetle Meloe proscarabaeus on the track and Patricia, a 22-spot Ladybird.
We dropped down to La Force for lunch at a
nice auberge and then suitably refreshed,
headed back into the forest near to St Georges.
A Scarce Swallowtail was around the
blackthorn near the car park and a Bee
Hawkmoth (probably Narrow-bordered)
showed briefly. Golden Oriole and Hoopoe
filled the air with their songs as we found yet
more Chequered Skippers. Searching for
Small Pearl-bordered Fritillaries, we had to be
content with only Weaver’s for sure. Other
butterflies seen here were Dingy and Grizzled
Skippers, Orange-tip, Brimstone, Wood
Chequered Skipper (JL)
White, Sooty Copper, Red Admiral and Wall.
As I walked back to the minibus I was lucky
enough to have good views of a Honey Buzzard overhead and even more excitingly, a
Western Whip Snake crossing a flooded clearing.
We moved on to another little valley nearby with a small lake, as it began to get hot. Here we
found more skippers: Chequered (again at a new site for the species in Dordogne, thanks
Richard), Grizzled and Dingy. There was another Bee Hawk-moth and a variety of
damselflies including Orange White-legged, White-legged, Blue-tailed and Winter.
We headed for the final stop of the day near St Jean. As we approached, two birds flew up off
the road. One was a thrush, the other looked suspiciously like a Wryneck – unfortunately we
shall never know (sorry Rosemary). A Stonechat scolded us near the parking area by the small
lake. In the water we could see masses of Common Toad tadpoles but by now the heat had
dissipated the wildlife, so we made our way back to Mauzac.
On our return however there was a nice surprise – an adult male Little Tern. It posed on a
buoy then quartered the pool in front of the hotel for all to view – only the second record of
this species in Dordogne over the last ten years! Richard later saw it fly off down stream
never to be seen again.
Day 6 (Thurs 10 May) – Faux Plateau morning and evening trips
This was mainly a birding day spent south of the river, on the Faux Plateau. Weather was hot
and sunny all day so we decided to have both a morning and evening session to catch the
range of species present.
Bird watching, Faux Plateau (PPL)
In twenty minutes or so we were in the fields
south of Faux on a beautiful morning with
Skylarks and Corn Buntings singing around us
– one of the latter species posing nicely on the
wire nearby. We scanned the scrubby
grassland and soon found the Red-backed
Shrikes – two males and a female (the latter
carrying nest material). All conveniently sitting
on top of bushes! Richard thought he caught a
glimpse of a Woodchat Shrike – a species I
had seen here earlier in the spring. We made a
short walk on a footpath between a field of
wheat and the scrub. A Whitethroat flew up
making its jerky songflight and we saw Linnets
and Stonechats, whilst a Brown Hare nipped
smartly through the hedge. Nightingales,
Melodious Warblers and a distant Woodlark sang whilst a Quail called repeatedly ‘wet my
lips’ from the field. A nice start to the day.
Further on the road we stopped at the silo, one of the birding hotspots on the plateau. True to
form a pair of Rock Sparrows were busy with their nest in the top of the electric post. Other
birds giving good views were a handsome male Cirl Bunting and Yellowhammer, Crested
Larks and a Turtle Dove. We walked a little along the path across the road and were rewarded
with the sight of a Honey Buzzard soaring quite low overhead. Kestrel, Buzzard, Black Kite
and a Sparrowhawk were also present and a Raven was another nice surprise.
By now it was mid morning and getting very
warm, so we drove across to the reservoir
southwards. On route we had nice views of a
Hoopoe on a garden lawn and two Red-legged
Partridges scuttling away. At the reservoir were
several Great Crested Grebes, a Common
Sandpiper and yet more Nightingales singing
exuberantly from the scrub together with a Tree
Pipit! This is a good butterfly site and didn’t
disappoint us. We found Sooty Copper, Adonis,
Common and Provencal Short-tailed Blues,
Green Hairstreak, Orange-tip, Berger’s Clouded
Yellow, Red-underwing and Grizzled Skippers,
Photographing orchids (PPL)
Scarce and European Swallowtail, four species
of fritillary: Meadow, Marsh, Knapweed, Glanville plus a restricted species the pretty
Mazarine Blue. Ascalaphids were everywhere
and Broad-bodied Chaser and Common Clubtail
dragonflies were also about. The dam bank had
masses of pink Pyramidal Orchids plus smaller
numbers of the scarce Long-lipped Tongue and
the beautiful Bee Orchid.
Knapweed Fritillary (JL)
With temperatures soaring we returned to Le
Barrage Hotel at Mauzac for a nice light lunch.
Four Black-headed Gulls were on the river and
both Pearly and Small Heath were flitting about.
We then had a break during the heat of the
afternoon and re-convened for dinner at 6pm (in
the meantime Amanda and some of the group
saw a Viperine Snake at the hotel).
As the evening cooled down we drove once more on to the plateau, finding a Little Owl at the
silo and then we returned to the reservoir.
Here we found Common Sandpiper, Dunlin
and a Little Ringed Plover probably on
territory. Two Yellow-legged Gulls at the
far end of the lake displayed a little and we
saw another Cuckoo flying over. Field
Crickets were in good song with the pleasant
temperature.
As dusk started to fall we went up on to the
small hill at Montaut which gives a
commanding view over the local
countryside. We scanned the countryside to
Glanville Fritillary (JL)
the south. Amazingly I soon found an
unexpected rare bird. Sitting in a tree across
the field was what I first thought was a Kestrel with the naked eye. In the telescope it proved
to be something rather different – and very special – a Black-shouldered Kite! The population
of this species is now expanding rapidly in SW France. Before this I had seen the only
confirmed record of one in Dordogne (earlier in the spring nearby). Let’s hope they settle
down and nest successfully. Everyone had great views through the scope. Another nice male
Cirl Bunting also posed for us briefly and a Quail called. As the dusk darkened Mediterranean
Tree Frogs called loudly all around us – including one high up on a bush – but they proved
impossible to see. Several Midwife Toads made their soft short ‘poo’ calls, making easy the
comparison with Scop’s Owls (for which it is sometimes mistaken) which soon also started up
– a much louder ringing, almost electronic-sounding ‘tyuh’.
A brief walk at the silo, produced a Nightjar which flew past and gave its flight call, a very
short buzzed whistle.
A final stop near Faux as night fell, had us all listening intently for Stone Curlew that finally
obliged with rather harsh curlew-like sounds. More surprising was a Long-eared Owl: a
monotonous short soft hoot from a wood some distance away.
Day 7 (Fri 11 May) – Cabant hill, Bergerac boat trip, Landais Forest and departure
Bergerac Airport
Our final day started with glorious
sunshine. First we said our thank yous
and goodbyes to our excellent host
Amanda and her aunt Rosanne at the
lovely riverside hotel. Having loaded
suitcases on the minibus, we sped up to
Cabant hill near my house for a quick
walk. The south-facing open hillside was
looking its best with many Greenwinged, Fly and Burnt-tip Orchids, Redunderwing Skippers showing nicely and
several of the party had good views of a
Bonelli’s Warbler in the scrub. Returning
to the minibus we decided to stop to look
River Dordogne: Bergerac boat trip (DP)
at the Twayblade Orchids near the road
and were lucky to find Lady and Lizard Orchid (the latter
in leaf) nearby. Now it was time to drive to Bergerac, so
we set off down the main valley road. After a little time
waiting for the boat to embark, we were soon sailing
upstream. This must be one of the best ways to see Black
Kites with 20 or so in the sky above us with several in the
trees nearby next to their nests. We were informed by the
guide that this ‘reserve’ section of river holds 62 pairs. As
we returned to the port we saw a Kingfisher briefly –
alerted to its presence by its creaky ‘zii’ call. Canada
Geese and a domestic duck completed the waterfowl.
We went for a late lunch at La Force, time to chat about
the holiday and some of the things we had seen (thanks
David P for the little speech on behalf of the group) We
were soon ready to return to the forest for some final
butterflying. At the pond car park we found a Spotted
Flycatcher and Short-toed Treecreeper was singing
clearly. Rosemary chose to stay bird-watching at the car
park and was rewarded with good views of a Great
Spotted Woodpecker making its excited chattering calls.
Burnt-tip Orchid (DP)
As the rest of the group walked along the roadside a
Pheasant called and a Golden Oriole serenaded us. We
had specifically returned to try and confirm the presence of Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary.
David used his net to catch a specimen and duly confirmed the species and this also allowed
the group to examine one properly. Very similar to its close relative the Weaver’s Fritillary (a
specimen was also examined by the group) – this time flying in much reduced numbers at the
site. The hind wing underside is the key: the white pointed marginal spots and general lack of
a mauve/brown suffusion denotes Small Pearlbordered. Further butterflies followed: Glanville
Fritillary, Sooty Copper, Short-tailed Blue,
Brimstone, Scarce Swallowtail, Green-veined
White and Chequered Skipper. A Common Clubtail
dragonfly and several damselflies were also seen.
Moving on to the other nearby valley we found
more Small Pearl-bordered Fritillaries plus yet
another Chequered Skipper, Grizzled Skipper,
Common and Short-tailed Blues. A small colony of
Tongue Orchids was a nice find. Peter decided to
return to the
Meadow Fritillary (DP)
minibus via
the far side of the lake but couldn’t make the final
stream/marsh crossing, still if you don’t try…….
Now it really was time to go to the airport. On route
some of us had a quick view of a Honey Buzzard. Too
soon it was time to say our goodbyes after another very
pleasant week in the Dordogne, full of surprises. David
P was the lucky one as he still had another night at the
hotel in Mauzac before catching his flight home.
Thank you again for your company, kindness and I
hope to see you all again sometime.
Grizzled Skipper (JL)
All photos taken during this holiday by the following
participants: Julian Lawson (JL), Peter and Patricia Ling (PPL) and David Perry (DP).
David Simpson
3 June 2012
Group meal, Le Barrage Hotel, Mauzac (PPL)
River Dordogne: Mauzac Port (JL)
A CHECKLIST OF BIRDS, BUTTERFLIES AND
ORCHIDS RECORDED DORDOGNE, 5-11 MAY 2012
BIRDS
SPECIES
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
SCIENTIFIC NAME
Red-legged Partridge
Alectoris rufa
Common Quail
Coturnix coturnix
Common Pheasant
Phasianus colchicus
Grey-Lag Goose
Anser anser
Canada Goose
Branta canadensis
Mute Swan
Cygnus olor
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos
Great Crested Grebe
Podiceps cristatus
Grey Heron
Ardea cinerea
Little Egret
Egretta garzetta
Great Cormorant
Phalacrocorax carbo
European Honey Buzzard
Pernis apivorus
Black Kite
Milvus migrans
Black-Shouldered Kite
Elanus caeruleus
Short-toed (Snake) Eagle
Circaetus gallicus
Hen (Northern) Harrier
Circus cyaneus
(Eurasian) Sparrowhawk
Accipiter nisus
Common (Eurasian) Buzzard
Buteo buteo
Common (Eurasian) Kestrel
Falco tinnunculus
Eurasian Hobby
Falco subbuteo
Common Moorhen
Gallinula chloropus
European Stone Curlew
Burhinus oedicnemus
Little Ringed Plover
Charadrius dubius
Common Sandpiper
Actitis hypoleucos
Dunlin
Calidris alpina
Black-headed Gull
Croicocephalus ridibundus
Yellow-legged Gull
Larus michahelis
Little Tern
Sternula albifrons
Rock Dove (Feral Pigeon)
Columba livia
(Common) Wood Pigeon
Columba palumbus
European Turtle Dove
Streptopelia turtur
Eurasian Collared Dove
Streptoptlia decaocto
Common (Eurasian) Cuckoo
Cuculus canorus
Eurasian Scops Owl
Otus scops
Tawny Owl
Strix aluco
Little Owl
Athene noctua
Long-eared Owl
Asio otus
European Nightjar
Caprimulgus europaeus
Common Swift
Apus apus
Common Kingfisher
Alcedo atthis
(Eurasian) Hoopoe
Upupa epops
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Dendrocopos major
43
Black Woodpecker
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
(European) Green Woodpecker
Picus viridis
Red-backed Shrike
Lanius collurio
Dryocopus martius
(Eurasian) Golden Oriole
Oriolus oriolus
Eurasian Jay
Garrulus glandarius
Eurasian (Common) Magpie
Pica pica
Western Jackdaw
Corvus monedula
Carrion Crow
Corvus corone
Northern (Common) Raven
Corvus corax
Marsh Tit
Parus palustris
(European) Crested Tit
Parus cristatus
Great Tit
Parus major
Blue Tit
Parus caeruleus
Crested Lark
Galerida cristata
Wood Lark
Lullula arborea
(Eurasian) Sky Lark
Alauda arvensis
European Sand Martin
Riparia riparia
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rustica
Eurasian Crag Martin
Hirundo rupestris
Common House Martin
Delichon urbicum
Cetti's Warbler
Cettia cetti
Long-tailed (Bush) Tit
Aegithalos caudatus
Willow Warbler
Phylloscopus trochilus
Common Chiffchaff
Phylloscopus collybita
Western Bonelli's Warbler
Phylloscopus bonelli
(Eurasian) Reed Warbler
Acrocephalus scirpaceus
Melodious Warbler
Hippolais polyglotta
(Eurasian) Blackcap
Sylvia atricapilla
Common Whitethroat
Sylvia communis
Dartford Warbler
Sylvia undata
Firecrest
Regulus ignicapillus
(Winter) Wren
Troglodytes troglodytes
Eurasian Nuthatch
Sitta europaea
Short-toed Treecreeper
Certhia brachydactyla
Common (European) Starling
Sturnus vulgaris
Common (Eurasian) Blackbird
Turdus merula
Song Thrush
Turdus philomelos
Mistle Thrush
Turdus viscivorus
European Robin
Erithacus rubecula
Common Nightingale
Luscinia megarhunchos
Black Redstart
Phoenicurus ochruros
Common Redstart
Phoenicurus phoenicurus
(Common) Stonechat
Saxicola torquata
Spotted Flycatcher
Muscicapa striata
House Sparrow
Passer domesticus
Eurasian Tree Sparrow
Passer montanu
Rock Sparrow
Petronia petronia
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
Hedge Accentor (Dunnock)
Prunella modularis
Grey Wagtail
Motacilla cinereas
White Wagtail
Motacilla alba alba
Tree Pipit
Anthus trivialis
Common Chaffinch
Fringilla coelebs
European Serin
Serinus serinus
European Greenfinch
Carduelis chloris
European Goldfinch
Carduelis carduelis
Common Linnet
Carduelis cannabina
Corn Bunting
Emberiza calandra
Yellowhammer
Emberiza citrinella
Cirl Bunting
Emberiza cirlus
Little Tern
Sterna albifrons
BUTTERFLIES
SPECIES
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
SCIENTIFIC NAME
Swallowtail
Papilio machaon
Scarce Swallowtail
Iphiclides podalirius
Large White
Pieris brassicae
Small White
Artogeia rapae
Green-veined White
Pieris napi
Orange-tip
Anthocharis cardamines
Clouded Yellow
Colias croceus
Berger's Clouded Yellow
Colias australis
Brimstone
Goneptryx rhamni
Cleopatra
Gonepteryx cleopatra
Wood White
Leptidea sinapis
Green Hairstreak
Callophrys rubi
Small Copper
Lycaena phlaeas
Sooty Copper
Lycaena tityrus
Short-tailed Blue
Everes argiades
Provencal Short-tailed Blue
Everes alcetas
Green-underside Blue
Glaucopsyche alexis
Brown Argus
Aricia agestis
Mazarine Blue
Cyaniris semiargus
Adonis Blue
Lysandra bellargus
Common Blue
Polyommatus icarus
Duke of Burgundy Fritillary
Hamaeris lucina
Southern White Admiral
Limenitis reducta
Red Admiral
Vanessa atalanta
Comma
Polygonia c-album
Queen of Spain Fritillary
Issoria lathiona
Violet/Weaver's Fritillary
Boloria dia
Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary
Boloria selene
Glanville Fritillary
Melitaea cinxa
Knapweed Fritillary
Melitaea phoebe
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
Meadow Fritillary
Mellicta parthenoides
Marsh Fritillary
Eurodryas aurinia
Small Heath
Coenonympha pamphilius
Pearly Heath
Coenonympha arcania
Speckled Wood
Pararge aegeria
Wall Brown
Lasiommata megera
Chequered Skipper
Carterocephalus palaemon
Red-underwing Skipper
Spialia sertorius
Grizzled Skipper
Pyrgus malvae
Mallow Skipper
Carcharodus alceae
Dingy Skipper
Erynnis tages
ORCHIDS
SPECIES
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
SCIENTIFIC NAME
Broad-leaved Helleborine
Epipactis helleborine
Sword-leaved Helleborine
Cephalanthera longifolia
Violet Limodore
Limodorum abortivum
Bird's-nest
Neottia nidus-avis
Twayblade
Listera cordata
Bee
Ophrys apifera
Early Spider
Ophrys sphedoides
Sombre Bee
Ophrys fusca
Fly
Ophrys insectifera
Early Marsh
Dactylorhiza incarnata
Military
Orchis militaris
Lady
Orchis purpurea
Green-winged
Orchis morio
Early Purple
Orchis mascula
Burnt-tip
Orchis ustulata
Pyramidal
Anacamptis pyramidalis
Long-lipped Tongue
Serapias vomeracea
Tongue
Serapias lingua
Lizard
Himantoglossum hircinum
Greater Butterfly
Platanthera chlorantha
David Simpson, May 2012
© The Travelling Naturalist