Birding Languedoc organised a brilliant two night trip up to the Catalan Pyrenees (Pyrenees-Orientales dept) on June 14 - 16th. We stayed in a gite on half board in the little hamlet of Espousouille in the Valley of Galbe. After meeting at lunchtime and having our picnic indoors at the gite (as the weather was cold and occasionally drizzly!) we set off for a walk to discover our surroundings and the damp meadows along the valley. We had no specific expert with us but between our group of about 14 we had plenty of experience of wildflowers, butterflies, and above all, birds. Some of our group were only interested in birds but many of us were this time more interested in the wildflowers and butterflies as there were a lot more of them around than birds, and no having to hang around waiting in the hope of seeing something!
The weather was better than forecast and although it did drizzle for a short time, we actually saw some sun on this first afternoon, though there were few butterflies about. It didn't matter though, as the wildflowers and many orchids made up for it.
The valley was at an altitude of about 1,500m and they had had a lot of rain over recent months, so the meadows near the stream were very wet. One of our group was wearing wellies so we sent him off to recce to see if we could walk over to the stream, but it was too boggy even for hiking shoes! However it was fine in most places so we didn't miss out.
The mountain meadows around these parts are a mass of white at this time of year due to the Pheasant's Eye Narcissus, Narcissus poeticus.
I much prefer these white ones to the yellow narcissus (Narcissus jonquilla) that we see in spring in the lower down and coastal areas.
This Broad Leaved Marsh Orchid (Dactylorhiza majalis) liked the damp meadow habitat.
A very pretty Barbie pink 😁😁😁 Fragrant Orchid (Gymnadenia conopsea).
Greater Butterfly Orchid (Platanthera chlorantha).
The path along the valley floor with the damp meadows on the left and drier meadows and conifer trees off to the right. We saw a lifer bird (for most of us) here in these conifers - the Citril Finch. We saw quite a number of them, and some of our group also saw Crossbills and Crested Tits. There were also a fair number of Coal Tits up here.
These two orchids were on the drier side, with some shade from the trees. The first is the Narrow-leaved Helleborine (Cephalanthera longifolia).
And this beautiful specimen is the Burnt Tip Orchid (Neotinea ustulata). I think this is one of my favourite orchids that I've seen so far!
Niall, taking the photo here, is very knowledgeable on wildflowers. These are Whorled Louseworts (Pedicularis verticillata), which is a plant of damp mountain regions and is from the family of Broomrapes, which are mostly parasitic plants which steal the nutrients from other nearby plants.
The meadows were also full of Yellow Rattle (Rhinanthus minor) as can be just seen here on the right. Yellow Rattle (another Broomrape) is semi parasitic on various grass species and is often planted to create or restore wildflower meadows by reducing the amount of grass that would compete with the flowers.
(I've got some rain drops on my lens!). Looking down the valley towards the mountains.
Looking back in the direction of Espousouille.
Back in the village we walked to the bridge - the little stream was running rather fast due to all the rain lately.
We met up at the gite before dinner to compare notes, species seen and share photos and look at our reference books. Dinner was absolutely delicious, cooked by the French owner, with his English wife who is a potter with her studio in the same building and daughter helping out with the serving.
The next day the weather was much brighter and warmer and the butterflies came out to play..... 😀 That will be Part 2.
If any of the plants have been misidentified, please let me know via the comments or the Contact Me button at the top right.
