Monday June 1st. Morning walk in Polycarpe, seeing my first Spanish Gatekeeper. Afternoon Limoux trail to see first Ilex Hairstreak and Silver Washed Fritillary. A hot day!
Tuesday June 2nd. Do the Quillan river walk on a cloudy, mild day turning later to drizzle. Decent walk, enjoying the fresher weather.
Wednesday June 3rd. At last we visit Bouisse, though it’s too late for the Orchids. And the long grass and strong winds create difficult conditions. But the summer meadows behind the lake are wonderfully flowered and see a new Skipper. Teeming with Meadow Brown throughout the hike.
Thursday June 4th. St Martin de Villereglan in summer mode. Genet going over, mountains no longer snow flecked, and barley fields turning gold and cream. The Great Banded Grayling emerge, gliding, wafting and perching on bark; and a Black Kite swoops to investigate the mauve lavender fields beneath.
Friday June 5th. A gentle walk in the Cabanes on a cloudy day before a three mile Luc walk in the afternoon, warming up gradually.
Saturday June 6th. Bellegarde-du-Razès on a sunny and very warm morning. Bit of a hard slog in the heat and mown grasses but some fields have summer flowers with Marbled White and Meadow Brown butterflies; Great Banded Grayling too. So pleased to see my first Large Tortoiseshell for a few years.
Sunday June 7th. Short Serres walk for damselflies and two butterflies, then L’Espinet lake for dragonflies. Hot day!
Monday 8th June. Ramble around Couiza before a short visit to my butterfly walk. Our last day in Alet…..
Tuesday June 9th. Leave Alet for Chateauroux, stopping halfway at the Aire Jardin des Causses du Lot, a haven for butterflies. Evening walk in Chateauroux around the town and gardens before a delicious dinner of Melon and ham, Fish and potatoes with carrots, and a strawberry dessert.
Friday June 12th. Back in Brewood, we go to Smestow to enjoy an English June summer’s day walking the canal.
Saturday June 13th. Do the canal- woods circuit in Brewood on a lovely summer morning full of Foxglove and pink Campion. See Daisy Duck with her new brood!
Tuesday June 16th. Visit Sitting Mill to follow the Rising Brook to Rugeley on a very warm June morning. See a Red Admiral and possible Ringlet.
Thursday June 18th. A summer morning in Albrighton, seeing fields of long grass with dark butterflies escaping the breeze. Enjoy the winding lane with arching deep green hedgerows, and the birdsong. Hear a Yellowhammer and Skylarks, and the Blackbird’s song is everywhere.
Friday June 19th. Visit Daneway Banks in Gloucestershire hoping to see a Large Blue, and my hopes are fulfilled! At last I have seen one of these rarities after a drive of 90+ minutes to get there and 2hours ++ to get back.
Saturday June 20th. Canal walk in Brewood. See my first Ringlet in Barnfield Sandbeds.
Monday June 22nd. Visit Comer Woods hoping to see a White Admiral but not yet showing. Nice shady walk on a very hot day.
Monday 29th June. Back to Cannock Chase along the Sherbrook Valley track.
Wednesday 24th June. Along the canal banks in Brewood, so many butterflies on the wing including my first Gatekeeper in the UK this summer, and my first Large White in Cresswell Lane.
Tuesday 30th June. Pigeon feeding baby on our car!
