Tuesday 23 April 2013

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.

1 comment:

  1. Plantastic! Liking these; I guess it must be a great time for plants there. Still waiting for the leaves to come on the trees here - we're very jealous!

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