The sheer abundance and variety of European butterflies make the valley meadows and high pastures of the Picos de Europa in Northern Spain an exciting place for a butterfly-spotting holiday.
To date, 156 distinct species have been recorded. Of all the butterfly species to be seen in Spain, 72% are found in the autonomous community of Cantabria, helped by traditional farming practices and its naturally wide variety of habitats from the coast to the limestone peaks of the Picos. However, only 11% of this territory is protected through the bestowment of National and Natural Park status.
Marsh fritillary (Euphydryas aurinia)
Walking through flower-filled meadows such as this is can be a rewarding experience,
observing a host of butterflies feeding on favourite plants including, higher up, Pyrenean eryngo (Eryngium bourgatii), or even the odd friendly finger.
Photos J.Barkham
Walking along tracks and paths dotted with puddles can release clouds of blues.
Adonis blue male (Polyommatus bellargus). Photo A. Whitfield.
Following are some more butterfly photos to whet the appetite -
Silver-studded blue (Plebejus argus) Photo J. Barkham.
Chapman's ringlet (Erebia palarica) Photo J. Barkham
Apollo (Parnassius apollo) Photo J. Barkham.
Spanish purple hairstreak (Laeosopis roboris).
Dark green fritillaries (Argynnis aglaja) Photo J. Barkham.
Apollo (Parnassius apollo) Photo Peter Ashby
Chalk hill blue (Lysandra coridon) Photo S. Gallon
Swallowtail (Papilio machaon) Photo A.Whitfield
Large wall brown (Lasiommata maera) Photo J. Barkham.
Scarce copper (Lycaena vigaureae) Photo Keith Gould
Iberian marbled white (Melanargia lachesis) Photo J. Barkham.
Marbled white (Melanargia galathea)
Knapweed fritillary (Melitaea phoebe) Photo J. Barkham.
Purple emperor (Apatura iris).
Chalk-hill blue (Lysandra coridon) Photo Peter Ashby
Cardinal (Argynnis pandora) on Sunflower
Photo Olivia May Stuart Medland (aged 8)
Awarded 2nd place in the Under 16s category of
UK Butterflies Photography Competition 2006!
Sooty copper (Lycaena tityrus) Photo Keith Gould
Silver-washed fritillary (Argynnis paphia).
Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni)
A pair of Common blues (Polyommatus icarus) mating in July
Landscape/Wildlife "Safari" 2008
Wed. 18th of June to Wed. 25th of June
Casa Gustavo will be hosting and supporting this holiday in June 2008, its second year of running.
With Dr. John Barkham, our enthusiastic guide, we will visit a variety of habitats that are home to a myriad species of wildlife. Concentrating mainly on butterflies and flowers, we will also encounter birdlife in abundance and, hopefully, mammals such as "rebeco" the indigenous chamois. (Bears and wolves are not guaranteed! though they do inhabit the area). Over 150 species of butterfly, 50+ species of orchid and 175+ species of birds have been recorded in this little-known part of Northern Spain. Griffon vultures and Golden eagles (we'll also look out for Lammergeier) dominate the skies with, among the summer visitors, Short-toed, Bonelli's and Booted eagles.
See Birds in the Picos de Europa.
In the flower-filled hay meadows alone, there are a possible 30+ species of orchid waiting to be found. See Flora of the Picos de Europa. Using the cable car at Fuente De will enable us to easily ascend to the alpine habitats of gentians, numerous saxifrages, various plants endemic to the Cordillera Cantábrica and the Pyrenees, alpine and common choughs, rock thrush, wheatear and alpine newts - and that elusive
wallcreeper!
As to the butterflies, we can hope to see Picos endemics such as Gavarnie blue and Chapman's ringlet as well as Cardinal, Large tortoiseshell and, you never know, Woodland brown that John was thrilled to see in 2006. With 14 years of trips exploring the Picos under his belt, John's knowledge of habitats here well-qualifies him to lead our "safari".
Our itinerary will be flexible to allow for weather conditions and group expectations. A basic level of fitness only will be required as we don't expect to do anything too strenuous. Days will be broken by "pitstops" including time to photograph and to enjoy the packed lunches provided of wonderful local cheeses and sausage. Your equipment should include a good, comfortable pair of walking boots, fleece, waterproof jacket, sun-hat, flask and/or water bottle.
The price of £650 includes all transport, airport transfers (Ryanair to Santander), visit their website here, guiding and 7 night's accommodation and meals but doesn't include flights. We strongly advise taking out personal insurance.
For more information and availability email us here.
Here is an extract from an article by John, first published in Butterfly Conservation News musing on the differences between Suffolk and the Picos de Europa:
"The first contrast with Suffolk is that the abundance of butterflies is continuous. No part of that walk was without them. Even amongst the buildings in the village, clusters of blues and skippers gathered around the overflow from a cattle trough. There were notable morning concentrations of large nymphalids on red valerian on rough ground near the river bridge, as well as five different fritillaries on some steep, flowery grassland enveloping a bend in the road. But generally there were butterflies just everywhere...... On that day alone I saw 51 distinct species."
Oberthür's grizzled skipper (Pyrgus armoricanus) Photo John Barkham
Moths
Apart from the obvious factor of nocturnal as opposed to diurnal flying habits, moths can be distinguished from butterflies by their antennae, those of butterflies being "clubbed" at the tips while those of moths tend to be finer. Moths have a coupling device that joins the fore-wing to the hind-wing during flight. While resting, butterflies tend to close their wings while moths tend to leave them open.
The largest moth found in the Picos de Europa is the
Giant peacock moth (Saturnia pyri), above.
Other notables are the Death's head hawkmoth (Acherontia styx), which have been found in my tomato plant pots, and Hummingbird hawkmoths (Macroglossum stellatarum) which regularly flit among the bougainvillea and busy lizzies.
Lime hawkmoth (Mimas tiliae).
Hyphoraia dejeani
Licences have to be sought for the use of moth traps and butterfly nets anywhere in Spain, particularly within the boundaries of the Picos de Europa National Park.
BEAR, APOLLO & MARSH FRITILLARY HABITAT THREAT!
Flora & Fauna of the Picos de Europa
Over the past 20 years, Teresa Farino has compiled a 90-page report (A4) which includes an eight-page introduction to the wildlife of these mountains, followed by lists of all the mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, butterflies, dragonflies and vascular plants ever recorded the Picos de Europa, as well as brief summaries of these groups. If you would like to purchase a copy, the price is £12, excluding postage and packaging. Please contact Teresa for further details, or to place your order, at teresa@iberianwildlife.com
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