france - the cevennes - naturetrek wildlife holidays â€“ the uk

France - The Cevennes

Naturetrek Tour Report 10 - 17 May 2012

Naturetrek Cheriton Mill Cheriton Alresford Hampshire SO24 0NG England

T: +44 (0)1962 733051 F: +44 (0)1962 736426

E: [email protected] W: www.naturetrek.co.uk

Report and cover images compiled by Mark Galliott

Group photo at end of report by Bettye Reynolds

Daphne cneorum, la maxine Nimes le Vieux

Adonis vernalis,Causse Méjean Dactylorhiza sambucina, Col du Rey

Tour Report France - The Cevennes

© Naturetrek May 12 1

Tour Leader: Mark Galliott - Naturalist

Participants: Bettye Reynolds

Richard Simon

Matthew Limbrick

Cliff Marshall

Day 1 Thursday 10th May

Warm and sunny

The flight was a little late into Montpellier as Mark, who lives in France, met the rest of the group after they had

retrieved their baggage. Then quickly loading up the minibus we were soon on our way on to the autoroute,

before turning off and skirting Montpellier by means of the new by-pass. As we started to climb up onto the

scenic Corniche des Cevennes, wonderful views started to unfold on both sides of the road, with fields literally

white with thousands of plants of Pheasant’s Eye Narcissus-Narcissus poetidus. We then descended to Florac,

crossing the River Tarnon and skirted the town past the old railway station before turning onto the road to

Cocurès, our base for the week. As we arrived at the hotel, la Lozerette, Pierette was there to greet us, and we

were quickly allocated our rooms, before enjoying the first of the week’s good dinners

Day 2 Friday 11th May

Hot and sunny

With the weather being so settled, we decided on our first day in the field to head for the granite topped Mont

Lozère, at 1699 metres, the highest point in the Cevennes, via the upper Tarn Valley and the old Camisard

(protestant) village of Pont de Montvert. Before reaching the village though we stopped twice at lay-bys to

explore, good plants found being Piorno Broom – Cytisus purgans, Tower Mustard-Arabis glabra, the giant

umbellifer-Molospermum pelopennesiacum, the endemic Saxifrage-S. pedemontana prosti and both Annual and Perennial

Knawel-Scleranthus annuus and perennis for comparison. Some butterflies were on the wing here with Sooty

Copper, Holly Blue, Dingy Skipper, Orange Tip and both Weaver’s and Marbled Fritillaries, while the liquid song

of our first Nightingale could be heard in the valley below.

Climbing up to higher altitudes it was apparent that the bad weather of the previous weeks had retarded the

flowering period of many of the plants. We did have the compensation though of seeing plants that would

normally have flowered earlier with drifts of yellow Daffodils-Narcissus pseudonarcissus, both Spring & White-

flowered Crocus-Crocus vernus & C. albiflorus and one bloom of the rare Spring Pasque Flower-Pulsatilla vernalis.

After a short walk, the views at the top were magnificent with wide ranging vistas all around, with snow still to

be seen on the higher mountains of the Auvergne to the north. Birds seen here were Linnet, Red-backed Shrike,

Wheatear, Coal Tit and both Tawny and Water Pipit.

On the leisurely drive back to the hotel we admired more fields white with Narcissi, while a roadside was covered

with dozens of both yellow and pink Elder-flowered Orchids-Dactylorhiza sambucina.

France - The Cevennes Tour Report

2 © Naturetrek May 12

Other spots yielded Creeping Snapdragon-Asarina procumbens, Daisy-leaved Toadflax-Anarrhinum bellidifolium, and

the rare and diminutive Forez Spleenwort-Asplenium foreziense, while we had good views of a dashing male Hen

Harrier, before descending spectacularly down into the valley back to our hotel at Cocurès.

Day 3 Saturday 12th May

Hot and sunny, thundery later

We awoke to a clear blue sky and after breakfast left the hotel to follow the River Tarn down to the main road,

and then turning left into the spectacular gorge gouged out of the limestone by the river over many eons of time.

We made a brief stop at Pont Ispagnac, where a pair of Dippers were briefly glimpsed on the river and two Red

Squirrels also gave good close views in the adjacent trees, before continuing along the valley and crossing the

river again on a narrow pontoon bridge to the old village of Castelbouc, seemingly built around a large outcrop

below the high limestone cliffs. Here we found some of the special plants that have made the rocks and cliffs

their home, including Maidenhair Fern-Adiantum capillus-veneris, Malling Toadflax-Chaenorrhinum organifolium, Rock

Soapwort-Saponaria ocymoides, Woad-Isatis tinctoria and the endemic Cevennes Saxifrage-Saxifraga cebennensis.

We then walked a pleasant path alongside some abandoned terraces finding our first Orchids, some magnificent

spikes of Military-Orchis militaris and Lady-O.purpurea along with the much less showy Small Spider Orchid-Ophrys

araneola with Wild Jasmine-Jasminum fruticans and Shepherd’s Needle-Scandix pectin-veneris also good finds.

Butterflies now started to make an appearance with Little & Common Blue, Brown Argus, Wood White,

Cleopatra, Berger’s Clouded Yellow and both Common & Scarce Swallowtail. Bonelli’s Warbler could be heard

all around us with Crag Martin’s flying overhead, while a handsome male Green Lizard showed off his blue

throat.

Continuing down to the picturesque small town of Ste Enimiè, we then took the road up onto the Causse

Méjean, admiring the views as we climbed to take a late lunch at the Col de Copernac. After enjoying our picnic

meal, we then returned back down to marvel at the panorama down the gorge of the belvedere overlooking the

village of St Chély du Tarn, far, far below in the gorge, before returning to explore the vast open causse

(limestone plateau) at two or three choice stops. Monkey and the endemic Aymonin’s Fly Orchid-Orchis simia &

Ophrys aymoninii were good additions along with Montpellier Milk Vetch- Astragalus monspessulanus, Hepatica-

Hepatica nobilis, Grape Hyacinth-Muscari neglectum, the rare Yellow Pheasant’s-eye- Adonis vernalis and hundreds of

plants of the lovely endemic Cevennes Pasque Flower-Pulsatilla rubra ssp rubra. Overhead we saw Red Kite, our

first impressive Griffin Vultures, a flock of at least 20 Red-billed Choughs, while both Yellowhammer and Cirl

Bunting songs were heard and compared. Before returning to the hotel, we just had time to stop at another view

point overlooking Florac and Cocurès, to marvel at an approaching thunder storm complete with lightning

pyrotechnics.

Day 4 Sunday 13th May

Warm and sunny, windy

Today, we drove the short distance up into the hills to the south-east of Florac, stopping firstly at St Laurent-de

Trêves, where the dinosaur footprints in the exposed limestone rock (180 million years old) caused much

discussion.



Continuing up higher onto the causse, we stopped at both the Col du Rey and the Col des Fesses, where once

again it seemed that many of the plants were only just coming into flower, although Burnt-tip-Neotinea ustulata,

Green-winged- Anacamptis morio, Early Purple-Orchis mascula, and Butterfly Orchids -Platanthera chlorantha were

added to the list, along with more Monkey, Lady and Elder-flowered Orchids. Grizzled Skipper, Green

Hairstreak, Painted Lady, both Queen of Spain & Small Pearl-bordered Fritillaries and the impressive day flying

moth, the Tau Emperor were on the wing. Birds were somewhat scarce today, with sightings of Buzzard,

Kestrel, Tree Pipit and Common Crossbill, while the lovely fluting song of a Woodlark could be heard drifting

across the scrub.

After a picnic stop at a roadside lay-by with a convenient stone table, we continued along the Corniche, stopping

firstly at l’Hospitalet, where some more fields of white Narcissi were admired, and then an area of superb

downland absolutely covered in colourful flowers, including Blue Bugle-Ajuga genevensis, yellow Dragon’s Teeth-

Tetragonolobus maritimus, white Field Mouse-ear-Cerastium arvense, Maiden Pink-Dianthus deltoids and 1000’s of the

deep red Cevennes Pasque Flower.

We returned to Florac by way of the scenic road which traverses the schist country through the old picturesque

village of Barre-des-Cevennes. The change in rock brought us some different plants with Tree Heather-Erica

arborea, Sage-leaved Cistus-Cistus salvifolius, an attractive white Sandwort-Arenaria montana, the endemic Cevennes

Thyme-Thymus nitens and the large yellow daisy-like Urospermum dalechampii. We then enjoyed a coffee/beer stop in

the main square of Florac, before returned back to the hotel after another very successful day.

Day 5 Monday 14th May

Warm and sunny

As the fine sunny weather was still holding firm, we decided to make for the other massif of Mont Aigoual,

which lies to the south west of Florac, via the Col de Purjuret. Stopping just before and at the Col itself, new

plants enjoyed were Man Orchid-Orchis anthropophora, Purple Gromwell-Lithospermum purpurocaerulea, Fly

Honeysuckle-Lonicera xylosteum, Bastard Balm-Melittis melissophyllum and St Bernard’s Lily-Anthericum liliago.

Butterflies seen were Turquoise Blue, Red-underwing Skipper, Wood White and Meadow Fritillary, while bird

interest was provided by a Stonechat, a male Montagu’s Harrier with a female Red-backed Shrike also delighted

us by sitting on a post right next to the mini-bus.

Reaching the top car park next to the weather station on Mont Aigoual, we were amazed by the superb visibility

allowing us to pick out the snow on both the Alps to the east and the Pyrenees in the west, with the lagoons of

the Mediterranean coast also visible to the south. This was a rare treat indeed, as this mountain is reputed to be

the wettest place in France and consequently often covered in cloud and mist. We took a short walk here, noting

Cat’s-foot-Antennaria dioica, Wild Tulip–Tulipa sylvestris ssp australis, more Daffodils, and the rare little Mignonette-

Sesamoides pygmaea. Driving down through the extensive Beech forests, we ate our picnic lunch at the Lac de

Bonheur, where the lake was full of mating Common Toads, with some nice meadows nearby yielded Frog

Orchid-Coeloglossum viride, Pasque Flower-Pulsatilla vulgaris and Aconite-leaved Buttercup-Ranunculus aconitifolius. A

very obliging Short-toed Eagle came very close over our heads distinctly showing us its pale underside and dark

bib under its head.



The rest of the afternoon was spent at Nimes le Vieux, a vast jumble of rocks and scrub where the dolomitic

limestone rock has been eroded over time into fantastic shapes. Here there is an assemblage of interesting plants

including the Crested Lousewort-Pedicularis comosa, Garland Flower-Daphne cneorum, Fairy Foxglove-Erinus alpinus,

Grass-leaved Buttercup-Ranunculus gramineus and not yet in flower the Cevennes endemics Potentilla caerulescens ssp

cebennensis. A splendid male Hen Harrier was an added bonus, before we departed.

Day 6 Tuesday 15th May

Cold and windy, showers pm

Although still sunny, the strong northerly wind had ensured that the temperatures had dropped significantly

overnight, so after breakfast we headed westwards for the Causse Noir, one of the most westerly of the

limestone plateaux. We drove through the Tarnon Valley and over the Col de Perjuret again and down into the

pleasant town of Meyrueis, before climbing up on to the Causse Noir stopping firstly near the crossroads of la

Pierre des Trois Évêques (the stone of three Bishops). Here there were many Orchids including both Early

Spider Orchid-Ophrys aranifera and the rare and localised Passiontide Orchid-Ophrys passionis and nearby Lesser

Wintergreen-Pyrola minor, Sand Catchfly-Silene conica, and a Bastard Toadflax-Thesium divaricatum.

We then drove further into the Causse to St André de-Vezines, where inexplicably the road to our next

scheduled site was blocked by having been totally dug up by the local council! We did though find some good

plants in open pine woodland nearby including both Sword-leaved & Large White Helleborines-Cephalanthera

longifolia & C. damasonium, Yellow Bee Orchid-Ophrys lutea, Mountain Kidney Vetch-Anthyllis montana, Narbonne

Flax-Linum narbonense, Large Yellow Flax- Linum campanulatum and the attractive Feather Grass-Stipa pennata.

Moving on, we ate lunch in a sheltered spot amongst the trees right next to clumps of Common Spotted and

Bird’s-nest Orchids-Dactylorhiza fuchsia and Neottia nidus-avis, both new for the week, whilst at the same time we

were able to identify two new butterfly species, Green-underside Blue and Spotted Fritillary, which were also

seeking shelter from the wind in the ground vegetation. The rest of the afternoon was spent exploring likely

spots here, before descending back down into Meyruueis for a welcome coffee, where surprisingly our only

Serins of the week were recorded.

We returned to the hotel via the Causse Méjean, passing the enclosure where Przewalski’s wild horse have been

bred over the last decade, noting three animals, with a large flock of Red-billed Chough and some more Griffin

Vultures the only other species of note.

Day 7 Wednesday 16th May

Cold am, warm & sunny pm

Today we were to spend the majority of the day exploring the western Causse Méjean, so leaving the hotel we

drove down the Tarn Gorge, through Ste Énimie and on to stop at La Malène, yet another attractive village

nestled below the towering cliffs. Here, despite the cold temperatures we had a pleasant walk along the river with

some good plants including Golden Drop-Onosma fastigiata and Buckler Cress-Biscutella laeviata, while on our

return to mini-bus we were delighted to see a pair of Dippers taking it in turns to go in and out of their nest in a

hole of a stone bridge support.



It was then straight up the spectacular zig-zag road that winds up on to the Causse, stopping firstly to admire a

cornfield full of scarlet Pyrenean Pheasant’s-eye-Adonis flammea and Corn Buttercup-Ranunculus arvensis, before

arriving at the Roc de Hourtous, another view point over the gorge. The rare and enigmatic Lady’s Slipper

Orchid-Cypripedium calceolus grows near here, but unfortunately yet again the cold April had retarded its flowering,

although somewhat in recompense Lily-of-the-Valley-Covalleria majalis was in bud and the endemic Cevennes

Butterwort-Pinguicula longifolia ssp caussensis was in full flower.

After a pleasant lunch, a short drive brought us to a small rocky outcrop, where there was a superb assemblage

of plants including Matted Globularia-Globularia cordifolia, Broad-leaved Marsh Orchid-Dactylorhiza majalis, more

Garland Flower, and the star of the show many beautiful blue blooms of Cevennes Trumpet Gentian-Gentiana

clusii ssp cevennensis, endemic to this region and even here restricted to a handful of sites. Moving a little further

down to the ruined Chateau de Blanquefort, built amid a lofty jumble of dolomitic cliffs, we could observe many

Griffin Vultures at close quarters gliding along the cliff edge just above our heads. Raven, Short-toed Eagle and

Alpine Swift were also good spots, while Firecrest and Black Woodpecker with its strange call were both heard.

Good plants here were Pyrenean Bellflower-Campanula speciosa, Curry Plant-Helichrysum stoechas, the little white

Peaflower-Dorycnium pentaphyllum and another endemic Valerian-Centranthus lecoquii.

After also admiring the views from this wonderful vantage point, we then drove down to le Rozier where the

Tarn and Jonte Rivers meet, before driving up the latter back to Meyruies, Florac and the hotel for the last of our

dinners.

Day 8 Thursday 17th May

Warm and sunny

An early start today for the drive back to Montpellier, so after saying our farewells to the hotel staff, we took the

old Route National down to the old mining town of Alès and then skirted Nimes, before spending some time in

the Petite Camargue, as its name suggests an area of reed-beds and lagoons near the coast. Our first stop was an

old water tower where Mark knew a pair of White Storks would be nesting, and sure enough they were in

residence complete with two youngsters. While we were admiring them, one of the adults arrived with food for

them seemingly consisting of a mass of writhing frogs and toads.

Other birds in the vicinity were Shelduck, Red-crested Pochard, Cattle, Little & Great White Egrets, Glossy Ibis,

Mediterranean & Black-headed Gulls, Common Tern and Black-winged Stilt, while plants noted were Giant

Reed-Arundo donax, Milk Thistle-Silybum marianum, Yellow Iris-Iris pseudocorus, and Pink Convolvulus-Convolvulus

cantabricus. It was now time to leave for the airport, where en-route seeing 40-50 Greater Flamingos in a lagoon

close to the road was a superb way to end a very rewarding and enjoyable week.

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Tour Report France - The Cevennes


Species List

Plants (NB. * = A species is endemic)

Scientific name Common name

PTERIDOPHYTES FERNS & ALLIES

Adiantaceae Maidenhair fern Family

Adiantum capillus-veneris Maidenhair Fern

Aspleniaceae Spleenwort Family

Asplenium adiantum-nigrum Black Spleenwort

Asplenium foreziense Forez Spleenwort

Asplenium ruta-muraria Wall Rue

Asplenium septentrionale Forked Spleenwort

Asplenium trichomanes Maidenhair Spleenwort

Ceterach officinarum Rusty-back

Dennstaedtiaceae Bracken Family

Pteridium aquilinum Bracken

Dryopteridaceae Buckler Fern Family

Dryopteris affinis agg. Golden Scaled Male Fern

Equisetaceae Horsetail Family

Equisetum arvense Field Horsetail

Polypodiaceae Polypody Family

Polypodium cambricum Southern Polypody

Polypodium vulgare Common Polypody

Thelypteridaceae Marsh Fern Family

Oreopteris limbosperma Lemon-scented Fern

Woodsiaceae Lady Fern Family

Athyrium filix-femina Lady Fern

Cystopteris fragilis Brittle Bladder Fern

PINOPSIDA (Gymnosperms) CONIFERS

Cupressaceae Juniper Family

Juniperus communis Common Juniper

Pinaceae Pine Family

Pinus nigra subsp. salzmanii Black Pine

Pinus pinaster Maritime Pine

Pinus pinea Umbrella or Stone Pine

Pinus sylvestris Scots Pine

Pinus uncinata Mountain Pine

Taxaceae Yew Family

Taxus baccata Yew




MAGNOLIOPSIDA (Angiosperms) FLOWERING PLANTS

Magnoliidae (Dicotyledons)

Aceraceae Maple Family

Acer campestre Field Maple

Acer monspessulanum Montpellier Maple

Acer opalus Italian Maple

Acer pseudoplatanus Sycamore

Apiaceae Carrot Family

Angelica sylvestris Angelica

Anthriscus sylvestris Cow Parsley

Athamantha cretensis Athamantha

Conopodium majus Pignut

Daucus carota Wild Carrot

Eryngium campestre Field Eryngo

Heracleum sphondylium subsp. sibiricum Hogweed (yellow flowered)

Laserpitium gallicum A Sermountain

Laserpitium latifolium Broad-leaved Sermountain

Laserpitium siler A Sermountain

Meum athamanticum Spignel

Molopospermum pelopennesiacum Molopospermum (Molly)

Scandix pecten-veneris Shepherd's Needle

Trinia glauca Honewort

Aralaceae Ivy Family

Hedera helix Ivy

Aquifoliaceae Holly Family

Ilex aquifolium Holly

Aristolochiaceae Birthwort Family

Aristolochia clematitis Birthwort

Ascepliadaceae Milkweed Family

Vincetoxicum hirundinaria Swallow-wort

Asteraceae Daisy Family

Achillea millefolium Yarrow

Antennaria dioica Cat's Foot

Anthemis arvensis Corn Chamomile

Artemisia camphorata Camphor Mugwort

Aster alpinus subsp. cevennensis* Alpine Aster

Bellis perennis Daisy

Carlina acanthifolia Acanthus-leaved C. Thistle

Carlina vulgaris Carline Thistle

Centaurea maculosa Spotted Knapweed

Centaurea pectinata Pectinate Knapweed

Cirsium palustris Marsh Thistle

Cirsium eriophorum Woolly-headed Thistle

Filago vulgaris Common Cudweed

Helichrysum stoechas Curry Plant




Hypochoeris radicata Cat's Ear

Inula montana -

Lactuca perennis Blue Lettuce

Lactuca virosa Great Lettuce

Lapsana communis Nipplewort

Leucanthemopsis graminifolium Grass-leaved Ox-eye Daisy

Leucanthemum vulgare Ox-eye Daisy

Onopordon acanthium Cotton Thistle

Pilosella officinarum Mouse-eared Hawkweed

Senecio adonifolius a Ragwort

Senecio doronicum a Ragwort

Tragopogon pratensis Goatsbeard

Tussilago farfara Coltsfoot

Urospermum dalechampei -

Balsaminaceae Balsam Family

Impatiens balfourii Kashmir Balsam

Betulaceae Birch Family

Alnus glutinosa Alder

Betula pendula Common Birch

Corylus avellana Hazel

Boraginaceae Borage Family

Anchusa arvensis Bugloss

Echium vulgare Vipers Bugloss

Lithospermum arvensis Corn Gromwell

Lithospermum purpurocaerulea Purple Gromwell

Myosotis arvensis Field Forget-me-not

Myosotis ramosissima Early Forget-me-not

Myosotis sylvatica Wood Forget-me-not

Onosma fastigiatum Golden Drop

Symphytum tuberosum Tuberous Comfrey

Brassicaceae Cabbage Family

Aethionema saxatile Burnt Candytuft

Alliaria petiolata Garlic Mustard

Alyssum alyssoides Small Alyssum

Alyssum montana Mountain Alyssum

Arabis caucasica subsp. alpina Alpine Rock-cress

Arabis glabra Tower Mustard

Arabis scabra Bristol Rock-cress

Arabis hirsuta Hairy Rock-cress

Arabis turrita Tower Cress

Barbarea vulgaris Winter-cress

Biscutella laevigata Buckler Mustard

Cardamine hirsuta Hairy Bitter-cress

Cardamine pratensis Lady's Smock

Cardarea draba Hoary Cress

Calapina irregularis White Ball Mustard

Capsella bursa-pastoris Shepherd's Purse

Erophilla verna Whitlow-grass

Hornungia petraea Hutchinsia




Iberis pinnata Annual Candytuft

Isatis tinctoria Woad

Lepidium heterophyllum Smith's Cress

Sinapis alba White Mustard

Lunaria annua Honesty

Sisymbrium officinale Hedge Mustard

Teesdalia nudicaulis Shepherd's-cress

Thlaspi caerulescens Alpine Penny-cress

Thlaspi perfoliatum Perfoliate Penny-cress

Buxaceae Box Family

Buxus sempervirens Box

Campanulaceae Bellflower Family

Campanula speciosa Pyrenean Bellflower

Legousia hybrida Venus's Looking Glass

Cannabaceae Hop Family

Humulus lupulus Hop

Caprifoliaceae Honeysuckle Family

Lonicera etrusca Etruscan Honeysuckle

Lonicera xylosteum Fly Honeysuckle

Sambucus nigra Elder

Viburnum lantana Wayfaring Tree

Caryophyllaceae Pink Family

Arenaria montana Mountain Sandwort

Arenaria leptoclados Thyme-leaved Sandwort

Cerastium arvense Field Mouse-ear

Cerastium fontanum Common Mouse-ear

Cerastium glomeratum Sticky Mouse-ear

Cerastium pumilum Curtis's Mouse-ear

Cerastium tormentosum Snow in Summer

Dianthus deltoides Maiden Pink

Herniaria glabra Smooth Rupturewort

Holosteum umbellatum Umbellate Chickweed

Moehringia trinervia Three-veined Sandwort

Saponaria ocymoides Rock Soapwort

Saponaria officinalis Common Soapwort

Sagina apetala Annual Pearlwort

Scleranthus annuus Annual Knawel

Scleranthus perennis Perennial Knawel

Silene conica Sand Catchfly

Silene dioica Red Campion

Silene italica Italian Catchfly

Silene latifolia White Campion

Silene nutans Nottingham Catchfly

Silene vulgaris Bladder Campion

Stellaria alsine Bog Stitchwort

Stellaria holostea Greater Stitchwort

Stellaria media Chickweed




Celastraceae Spindle Family

Euonymus europaeus Spindle Tree

Cistaceae Cistus Family

Cistus salvifolius Sage-leaved Cistus

Helianthemum apenninum White Rockrose

Helianthemum nummularium Common Rockrose

H. oelandicum subsp. canum Hoary Rockrose

Clusiaceae St John's-wort Family

Hypericum androsaemum Tutsan

Hypericum perforatum Perforate St John'swort

Convolvulaceae Bindweed family

Convolvulus arvensis Field Bindweed

Convolvulus cantabrica Pink Convulvulus

Cornaceae Dogwood Family

Cornus mas Cornelian Cherry

Cornus sanguinea Common Dogwood

Crassulaceae Stonecrop Family

Sedum album White Stonecrop

Sedum dasyphyllum Thick-leaved Stonecrop

Sedum telephium Orpine

Umbilicus rupestris Wall Pennywort

Sempervivum tectorum Houseleek

Cucurbitaceae White Bryony Family

Bryonia dioica White Bryony

Dipsacaceae Scabious Family

Dipsacus fullonum Teasel

Knautia arvensis Field Scabious

Ericaceae Heather Family

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Bearberry

Calluna vulgaris Ling

Erica arborea Tree Heather

Erica scoparia

Vaccinium myrtillus Bilberry

Vaccinium vitus-idaea Cowberry

Euphorbiaceae Spurge Family

Euphorbia cyparissias Cyprus Spurge

Euphorbia helioscopia Sun Spurge

Euphorbia lathyris Caper Spurge

Euphorbia seguieriana Seguier's Spurge

Mercurialis perennis Dog's Mercury

Fabaceae Pea Family

Anthyllis montana Mountain Kidney Vetch

Anthyllis vulneraria Kidney Vetch




Astragalus monspessulanus Montpellier Milk-vetch

Colutea arborescens Bladder Senna

Coronilla emerus Scorpion Vetch

Coronilla minima Small Scorpion Vetch

Cytisophyllum sessilifolius Sessile Broom

Cytisus purgens Piorno Broom

Cytisus scoparius Common Broom

Dorycnium pentaphyllum -

Genista hispanica Spanish Gorse

Genista pulchella -

Hippocrepis comosa Horse-shoe Vetch

Laburnum anagyroides Laburnum

Lathyrus sylvestris Narrow-leaved Everlasting Pea

Lathyrus linifolius Bitter vetch

Lathyrus pannonicus Felted vetch

Lathyrus pratensis Meadow vetchling

Lathyrus setifolious

Lotus corniculatus Bird's-foot Trefoil

Medicago lupulina Black Medick

Melilotus officinalis Common Melilot

Onobrychis viciifolia Common Sainfoin

Robinia pseudacacia Robinia (False Acacia)

Spartium junceum Spanish Broom

Tetragonolobus maritimus Dragon's Teeth

Trifolium campestre Hop Trefoil

Trifolium dubium Lesser Trefoil

Trifolium incarnatum subsp. molinerii Crimson Clover

Trifolium pratense Red Clover

Trifolium repens White Clover

Vicia cracca Tufted Vetch

Vicia sativa subsp. segetalis Common Vetch

Vicia sepium Bush Vetch

Vicia tenuifolia Narrow-leaved Vetch

Fagaceae Beech Family

Castanea sativa Sweet Chestnut

Fagus sylvatica Beech

Quercus coccifera Holly/Kermes Oak

Quercus ilex Holm/Evergreen Oak

Quercus petraea Sessile Oak

Quercus pubescens Downy Oak

Fumariaceae Fumitory Family

Fumaria muralis subsp. boraei Wall Fumitory

Gentianaceae Gentian Family

Gentiana clusii subsp. cevennensis* Cevennes Gentian

Gentiana lutea Great Yellow Gentian

Geraniaceae Geranium Family

Erodium cicutarium Common Storksbill

Geranium columbinum Long-stalked Crane's-bill

Geranium lucidum Shining Cranesbill




Geranium molle Dove's-foot Cranesbill

Geranium pyrenaicum Pyrenean Crane's-bill

Geranium purpureum Little Robin

Geranium robertianum Herb Robert

Geranium rotundifolium Round-leaved Cranesbill

Geranium sanguineum Bloody Cranesbill

Globulariaceae Globularia Family

Globularia punctata Common Globularia

Globularia cordifolia Matted Globularia

Grossulariaceae Gooseberry Family

Ribes alpinus Mountain Currant

Ribes uva-crispa Wild Gooseberry

Juglandaceae Walnut Family

Juglans regia Walnut

Lamiaceae Dead-nettle Family

Ajuga genevensis Blue Bugle

Ajuga reptans Common Bugle

Lamiastrum galeobdolon Yellow Archangel

Lamium album White Dead-nettle

Lamium amplexicaule Henbit Dead-nettle

Lamium maculatum Spotted Dead-nettle

Lamium purpureum Red Dead-nettle

Melittis melissophyllum Bastard Balm

Oreganum vulgare Marjoram

Salvia pratensis Meadow Clary

Salvia verbenaca Wild Clary

Teucrium chamaedrys Wall Gemander

Teucrium scorodonia Wood Sage

Thymus nitens* Cevennes Thyme

Thymus serpyllum Breckland Thyme

Thymus vulgaris Wild Thyme

Linaceae Flax Family

Linum bienne Pale Flax

Linum campanulatum Yellow Flax

Linum leonii Blue Flax

Linum narbonense Narbonne Flax

Linum suffruticosum White Flax

Lentibulariaceae Butterwort Family

Pinguicula longifolia ssp caussensis* Cevennes Butterwort

Malvaceae Mallow Family

Althaea hirsuta Hairy Mallow

Malva sylvestris Common Mallow

Moraceae Fig Family

Ficus carica Fig




Oleaceae Olive Family

Fraxinus excelsior Ash

Fraxinus ornus Manna ash

Jasminum fruticans Wild Jasmine

Onograceae Willowherb Family

Chamerion angustifolium Rosebay Willowherb

Papaveraceae Poppy Family

Chelidonium majus Greater Celandine

Glaucium flavum Yellow Horned Poppy

Papaver argemone Prickly Poppy

Papaver rhoeas Corn Poppy

Plantaginaceae Plantain Family

Plantago lanceolata Ribwort plantain

Plantago major Great Plantain

Plantago media Hoary Plantain

Plantago sempervirens Branched Plantain

Platanaceae Plane Family

Platanus x hispanica Plane Tree

Plumbaginaceae Thrift Family

Armeria maritima subsp alpina Mountain Thrift

Polygalaceae Milkwort Family

Polygala calcarea Chalk Milkwort

Polygala nicaeensis Nice Milkwort

Polygala vulgaris Common Milkwort

Polygonaceae Knotweed Family

Persicaria bistorta Bistort

Rumex acetosa Sorrel

Rumex acetosella Sheep's Sorrel

Rumex crispus Curled Dock

Rumex obtusifolius Broad-leaved Dock

Rumex scuatatus French Sorrel

Primulaceae Primrose Family

Androsace maxima Greater Rock jasmine

Primula veris Cowslip

Primula vulgaris Primrose

Primula x polyantha False Oxlip

Pyrolaceae Wintergreen Family

Pyrola minor Lesser Wintergreen

Ranunculaceae Buttercup Family

Adonis flammea Pyrenean Pheasant's Eye

Adonis vernalis Yellow Pheasant's Eye

Anenome nemorosa Wood Anenome

Aquilegia vulgaris Columbine




Caltha palustris Marsh Marigold

Clematis vitalba Old Man's Beard

Helleborus foetidus Stinking Helleore

Hepatica nobilis Hepatica

Pulsatilla rubra subsp. rubra* Cevennes Pasque Flower

Pulsatilla vernalis Spring Pasque Flower

Pulsatilla vulgaris Pasque Flower

Ranunculus aconitifolius Aconite-leaved Buttercup

Ranunculus acris Meadow Buttercup

Ranunculus arvensis Corn Buttercup

Ranunculus auricomus Goldilocks Buttercup

Ranunculus bulbosus Bulbous Buttercup

Ranunculus ficaria agg. Lesser Celandine

Ranunculus gramineus Grass-leaved Buttercup

Ranunculus repens Creeping Buttercup

Thalictrum aquilegifolium Greater Meadow-rue

Thalictrum minus Lesser Meadow-rue

Resedaceae Mignonette family

Reseda jacquinii* Jaquin's Mignonette

Reseda lutea Wild Mignonette

Reseda phyteuma Corn Mignonette

Sesamoides pygmaea Sesamoides

Rosaceae Rose Family

Alchemilla alpina Alpine lady's-mantle

Amelanchier ovalis Amelanchier (Snowy Mespilus)

Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn

Filipendula ulmaria Meadowsweet

Frageria vesca Wild Strawberry

Geum urbanum Herb Bennet

Potentilla argentea Hoary Cinquefoil

Potentilla caulescens subsp. cevennensis* Cevennes Cinquefoil

Potentilla neumanii Spring Cinquefoil

Potentilla reptans Creeping Cinquefoil

Potentilla rupestris Rock Cinquefoil

Poterium officinalis Mediterranean Salad Burnet

Prunus avium Wild Cherry

Prunus mahaleb St Lucie's Cherry

Prunus spinosa Blackthorn

Rosa arvensis Field Rose

Rosa canina Dog Rose

Rubus caesius Dewberry

Rubus fruticosus Bramble

Sanguisorba minor Salad Burnet

Sanguisorba officinalis Greater Salad Burnet

Sorbus aria Whitebeam

Sorbus aucuparia Mountain Ash

Rubiaceae Bedstraw family

Cruciata laevipes Crosswort

Galium lucidum Shining Bedstraw

Galium mollugo Hedge Bedstraw




Galium pumilum Slender Bedstraw

Gallium saxatile Heath Bedstraw

Rubia peregrina Wild Madder

Sheradia arvensis Field Madder

Salicaceae Willow Family

Populus alba White Poplar

Populus x canescens Hybrid Black Poplar

Populus nigra agg. Black Poplar

Populus tremula Aspen

Salix alba White Willow

Salix cinerea Grey Willow

Salix eleagnos

Salix fragilis Crack Willow

Santalaceae Sandalwood Family

Thesium divaricatum Bastard Toadflax

Saxifragaceae Saxifrage Family

Chrysosplenium alternifolium Alternate Golden Saxifrage

Chrysosplenium oppositifolium Opposite Golden Saxifrage

Saxifraga cevennensis* Cevennes Saxifrage

Saxifraga granulata Meadow Saxifrage

Saxifraga pedemontana subsp. prostii* Prost's Saxifrage

Saxifraga tridactylites Rue-leaved Saxifrage

Scrophulariaceae Figwort Family

Anarrhinum bellidifolium Daisy-leaved Toadflax

Antirrhinum majus Large Snapdragon

Asarina procumbens Creeping Snapdragon

Chaenorhinum origanifolium Malling Toadflax

Cymbalaria muralis Ivy-leaved Toadflax

Digitalis lutea Small yellow Foxglove

Digitalis purpurea Foxglove

Erinus alpinus Fairy Foxglove

Linaria repens Striped Toadflax

Linaria supina Dwarf Toadflax

Pedicularis comosa Crested Lousewort

Rhinanthus mediterraneus Mediterranean Rattle

Rhinanthus minor Yellow Rattle

Scrophularia canina French Figwort

Verbascum pulverulentum Hoary Mullien

Veronica arvensis Wall Speedwell

Veronica chamaedrys Germander Speedwell

Veronica cymbalaria Cymbalaria-leaved Speedwell

Veronica hederifolia Ivy-leaved Speedwell

Veronica persica Common Speedwell

Veronica polita Grey Field Speedwell

Veronica prostrata Prostrate Speedwell

Thymelaceae Daphne Family

Daphne cneorum Garland Flower

Daphne laureola Spurge Laurel




Tiliaceae Lime Family

Tilia x europaea Common Lime

Tilia platyphyllos Large-leaved Lime

Ulmaceae Elm Family

Ulmus glabra Wych Elm

Ulmus minor Small -leaved Elm

Urticeae Nettle Family

Parietaria judaica Pellitory-of-the-wall

Urtica dioica Nettle

Valerianaceae Valerian Family

Centranthus ruber Red Valerian

Centranthus calcitrapae Annual Valerian

Centranthus lecoquii Cevennes Valerian

Valeriana officianalis Common Valerian

Valeriana tripteris Three-leaved Valerian

Valeriana tuberosa Tuberous Valerian

Valerienella coronata Broad-fruited Cornsalad

Violaceae Violet Family

Viola arvensis Field Pansy

Viola lutea Mountain Pansy

Viola palustris Marsh Violet

Viola reichenbachiana Wood Dog Violet

Viola riviniana Common Dog violet

Viola rupsetris Teesdale Violet

Viola tricolor Heart's-ease

Viscaceae Mistletoe Family

Viscum album Mistletoe

Liliidae (Monocotyledons)

Cyperaceae Sedge Family

Carex caryophyllea Spring Sedge

carex divulsa Grey Sedge

Carex flacca Glaucous Sedge

Carex humilis Dwarf Sedge

Carex otrubae False Fox Sedge

Carex riparia Great Pond Sedge

Dioscoreaceae Yam Family

Tamus communis Black Bryony

Iridaceae Iris Family

Crocus albiflorus White Spring Crocus

Crocus vernus Spring Sedge

Gladiolus italicus Wild Gladiolus

Iris pseudacorus Yellow Flag




Juncaceae Rush Family

Juncus effusus Soft rush

Juncus inflexus Hard Rush

Luzula campestris Field Woodrush

Liliaceae Lily Family

Allium ursinum Wild Garlic

Anthericum liliago St Bernard's Lily

Aphyllanthes monspeliensis Blue Aphyllanthes

Asphodelus albus White Asphodel

Colchicum autumnale Meadow Saffron

Lilium martagon Martagon Lily

Muscari comosum Tassel Hyacinth

Muscari neglectum Grape Hyacinth

Narcissus pseudonarcissus Wild Daffodil

Narcissus poeticus Pheasant's Eye Daffodil

Ornithogalum umbellatum Common Star of Bethlehem

Polygonatum multiflorum Solomon's Seal

Ruscus aculeatus Butcher's Broom

Tulipa sylvestris subsp. australis Wild Tulip

Orchidaceae Orchid Family

Anacamptis pyramidalis Pyramidal Orchid

Cephalanthera damasonium White Helleborine

Cephalanthera longifolia Sword-leaved Helleborine

Coeloglossum viride Frog Orchid

Cypripedium calceolus Lady's Slipper Orchid

Dactylorhiza fuschii Common Spotted Orchid

Dactylorhiza majalis Broad-leaved Marsh Orchid

Dactylorhiza sambucina Elder-flowered Orchid

Neottia nidus-avis Bird's Nest Orchid

Neottia ovata Twayblade

Ophrys araneola Small Spider Ophrys

Ophrys aranifera Early Spider Orchid

Ophrys aymoninii * Aymonin's Fly Orchid

Ophrys lutea Yellow Bee Orchid

Ophrys passionis Passiontide Ophrys

Orchis anthropophora Man Orchid

Orchis mascula Early Purple Orchid

Orchis militaris Military Orchid

Orchis morio Green-winged Orchid

Orchis purpurea Lady Orchid

Orchis simia Monkey Orchid

Orchis ustulata Burnt Orchid

Plantanthera chlorantha Greater Butterfly Orchid

Poaceae Grass Family

Arrhenatherum elatius False Oat-grass

Arundo donax Giant Reed

Brachypodium sylvaticum False Brome

Bromopsis erectus Upright Brome

Bromus hordeaceus Soft Brome

Dactylis glomerata Cocksfoot




Festuca ovina Sheep's Fescue

Festuca vivipara Viviperous fescue

Hordeum murinum Wall Barley

Melica uniflora Wood Melick

Phragmites australis Common Reed

Poa annua Annual Meadow-grass

Poa nemoralis Wood Meadow-grass

Poa trivialis Rough Meadow-grass

Sesleria caerulea Blue Moor Grass

Stipa pennata Feather Grass

Birds ( = recorded but not counted; H = Heard only)

May

Common name Scientific name 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

1 Mute Swan Cygnus olor c12

2 Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna 2

3 Mallard Anas platyrhynchos

4 Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina 1

5 Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 1

6 Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis c20

7 Little Egret Egretta garzetta c12

8 Great White Egret Egretta alba 1

9 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 4

10 White Stork Ciconia ciconia 4

11 Glossy Ibis Phegadis falcinellus 2

12 Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus c50

13 Eurasian Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus 5 1 1 4 c30

14 Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus 2 1

15 Red Kite Milvus milvus 1

16 Black Kite Milvus migrans 3 1 2 c12

17 Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus 2 1

18 Montagu's Harrier Circus pygargus 1

19 Common Buzzard Buteo buteo 1

20 Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 1 1 1 1

21 Moorhen Gallinula chloropus

22 Eurasian Coot Fulica atra

23 Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus 2

24 Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus 2

25 Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus 6

26 Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis 2 c12

27 Common Tern Sterna hirundo c6

28 Rock Dove/Feral Pigeon Columba livia

29 Common Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus

30 Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto

31 Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus H H H H H H H

32 Tawny Owl Strix aluco H

33 Common Swift Apus apus

34 Alpine Swift Apus melba 2

35 Black Woodpecker Dryocopus martius H

36 European Green Woodpecker Picus viridis H H

37 Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major H



May


38 Common Skylark Alauda arvensis 6 2 c8

39 Woodlark Lullula arborea H

40 Eurasian Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris 3 2 c20

41 Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica

42 Common House Martin Delichon urbica

43 Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris 1

44 Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta 3

45 Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis 2

46 White Wagtail Motacilla alba

47 Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea 3 1 1 1

48 Dunnock Prunella modularis H H

49 European Robin Erithacus rubecula

50 Common Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos H H H H

51 Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros

52 Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe 5 1

53 Common Stonechat Saxicola torquata 1

54 Song Thrush Turdus philomelos H

55 Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus H H 2

56 Common Blackbird Turdus merula

57 Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla H H H H

58 Cetti’s Warbler Cettia cetti H

59 Western Bonelli's Warbler Phylloscopus bonelli H H H H

60 Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita H H H

61 Goldcrest Regulus regulus H

62 Firecrest Regulus ignicapillus H

63 Winter Wren Troglodytes troglodytes

64 Great Tit Parus major

65 Coal Tit Periparus ater

66 European Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus

67 Eurasian Nuthatch Sitta europaea H

68 Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio 1 1

69 Common Magpie Pica pica

70 Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius

71 Western Jackdaw Corvus monedula

72 Red-billed Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax c20 c20 H

73 Carrion Crow Corvus corone

74 Common Raven Corvus corax 2

75 Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris

76 House Sparrow Passer domesticus

77 Common Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs

78 Common Linnet Carduelis cannabina 5

79 European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis

80 European Greenfinch Carduelis chloris

81 European Serin Serinus serinus 2

82 Common Crossbill Loxia curvirostra 5

83 Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella 2 1 2

84 Cirl Bunting Emberiza cirlus H H

Butterflies

1 Dingy Skipper Erynnis tages

2 Red-underwing Skipper Spialia sertorius



May


3 Grizzled Skipper Pyrgus malvae

4 Scarce Swallowtail Iphiclides podalirius

5 Swallowtail Papilio machaon

6 Wood White Leptidea sinapis

7 Large White Pieris brassicae

8 Small White Pieris rapae

9 Green-veined White Pieris napi

10 Orange-tip Anthocharis cardamines

11 Berger’s Clouded Yellow Colias alfacariensis

12 Cleopatra Gonepteryx cleopatra

13 Brimstone Gonepteryx rhamni

14 Green Hairstreak Callophrys rubi

15 Sooty Copper Lycaena tityrus

16 Small Copper Lycaena phlaeus

17 Little Blue Cupido minimus

18 Holly Blue Celastrina argiolus

19 Green-underside Blue Glaucopsyche alexis

20 Common Blue Polyommatus icarus

21 Turquoise Blue Polyommatus dorylas

22 Brown Argus

23 Small Tortoiseshell Aglais urticae

24 Peacock Butterfly Inachis io

25 Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta

26 Painted Lady Vanessa cardui

27 Comma Butterfly Polygonia c-album

28 Spotted Fritillary Melitaea didyma

29 Meadow Fritillary Mellicta parthenoides

30 Marbled Fritillary Brenthis daphne

31 Queen of Spain Fritillary Issoria lathonia

32 Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary Boloria selene

33 Weaver’s Fritillary Boloria dia

34 Small Heath Coenonympha pamphilus

Moths

1 Latticed Heath Chiasma clathrata

2 Broad-bordered Bee Hawk Hemaris fuciformis

3 Pine Processionary Moth Thaumetopoea pitycampa

4 Burnet Companion Euclidea glyphica

5 Frosted Yellow Isturgia limbaria

6 Tau Emperor Aglia tau

Other Invertebrates

1 Gendarme Bug Pyrrhocoris apterus

2 an Ascalaphid Libelloides longicornis

3 Lesser Beefly Bombilius minor

4 Dor Beetle Geotrupes stercorarius

5 Oil Beetle Meloe proscarabaeus

6 Fire Bug Pyrrhocoris apterus

7 Burying Beetle Hister sp

8 Field Cricket Grillus campestris



May


9 a Web Spider Eresus niger

10 Millipede Tachypodoiulus sp

11 Pill Millipede Glomeris sp

12 Roman Snail Helix polmatia

Mammals

1 Fox Vulpes vulpes

2 Red Squirrel Sciurus vulgaris

Amphibians & Reptiles

1 Green Lzard Lacerta viridis

2 Wall Lizard Podarcis muralis

3 Viviparous Lizard Lacerta vivipara

4 Common Frog Rana temporaria

5 Common Toad Bufo bufo

Naturetrek Facebook

We are delighted to launch the Naturetrek Facebook page so that participants of Naturetrek tours can remain in

touch after the holiday and share photos, comments and future travel plans.

Setting up a personal profile at www.facebook.com is quick, free and easy. The Naturetrek Facebook page is

now live; do please pay us a visit!

2012 Naturetrek Group Photo courtesy of Bettye Reynolds

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