The Sun Brings Out The Flowers and Insects

It was beautiful and warm today with temperatures over 20 degrees by lunch time.  Coming back from Olonzac market we saw a Black Kite and 3 Woodchat Shrikes. Nearer home we also noted a super male Pied Flycatcher.

Pyrenean Snakeshead

This afternoon I drove around a couple of good sites for wild flowers on the edge of the Cesse Gorge.  My timing was perfect as there were good shows of Bearded Iris and Common Jonquil but the best displays yet of Pyrenean Snakeshead and some excellent stands of Lady Orchids

Lady Orchids

There were plenty of butterflies about today as well.  Large Whites and Swallowtails have been all I have seen until today but there were lots of Cleopatras and Clouded Yellows on the wing.

Cleopatra

Sitting on the terrace this evening we saw our first Short-toed Eagle of the spring and there were hordes of Common Swifts overhead as well.