Valais – Highlights of the Swiss Alps

Naturetrek Tour Report 24 June to 1 July 2018

Spring Gentian and the Matterhorn Rock-Jasmine

Spring Pasqueflower Heath Fritillary

Report & images compiled by David Morris

Naturetrek Mingledown Barn Wolf's Lane Chawton Alton Hampshire GU34 3HJ UK T: +44 (0)1962 733051 E: [email protected] W: www.naturetrek.co.uk

Tour Report Valais – Highlights of the Swiss Alps

Tour participants: David Morris and Bob Elliot (leaders) with 14 Naturetrek clients

Day 1 Sunday 24th June

After a morning departure from London, the group arrived to a warm and sunny Geneva by midday. We met the remaining members of the group at the airport before boarding the train to Lausanne where, after a quick change, it was then towards Brigg, nestled in the Rhone valley in the south-west of the Swiss Alps. The train followed the northern shores of Lake Geneva through the heart of the Swiss Riviera, giving commanding views across the vast lake and flanked by the rising peaks of the Alps. Following a change to a local cog-assisted train at Brigg, it was time to join the Glacier Express line, following the headwaters of the Rhone before getting off at Betten Talstation.

Having sorted our hiking passes for the week ahead, we boarded the cablecar to take us some 1,100 metres up the valley side to the car-free alpine village of Bettmeralp. As we waited a short time for the hotel luggage car, we were able to get acquainted with the local landscape and natural history. Citril Finch and Black Redstart flitted amongst the larch and spruces, and overhead we saw Raven and Alpine Chough. Amongst the buildings flitted Crag Martin, House Martin and Common Swift, nesting within colonies in the village.

With luggage loaded, we followed the short distance on foot to our hotel at the eastern end of the village. At the hotel we enjoyed welcome drinks in the sun on the terrace overlooking the Matterhorn, before settling in our rooms and freshening up. Dinner was enjoyed in the dining room where we got to know each other and discussed plans for the week ahead.

Day 2 Monday 25th June

Following a good night’s sleep and a filling breakfast, we set off from the hotel for a day exploring the local area above Bettmeralp, in order to have a good introduction to the key species and habitats of the area. We headed towards the cablecar which took us to the lofty Bettmerhorn at 2,675 metres, on the way noting Mountain Houseleek Sepmervivum montanum, Alpine Bird’s-foot Trefoil Lotus alpinus and Alpine Rockrose Helianthemum oleandicum subsp. alpestre amongst the flowers blooming all over the banks and walls. Nutcracker called from nearby larches and Black Redstarts occupied many of the village rooftops. We boarded our cabins, seeing Marmots, Water Pipits and St Bruno’s Lily Paradisea liliastrum on the way up.

With heavy winter snows only recently clearing, it was apparent that it would be a later spring than usual, with many patches of snow still lingering. A walk towards the Bettmerhorn summit picked up a pair of Alpine Accentors gathering food for their young, and a fine display of alpine flora on the turf and amongst the boulders. Short-leaved Gentian Gentiana brachyphylla, Alpine Gentian Gentiana alpina and Spring Gentian Gentiana verna all stood out, and were joined with Blunt-leaved Rock Jasmine Androsace obtusifolia, Alpine Forget-me-not Myositis alpestris and a range of violas and saxifrages. After a coffee stop we paused to admire the view over the vast Aletsch Glacier before taking the path towards to it, giving us fantastic panoramas over the adjacent valley.

After a couple of slight detours to avoid lingering snow patches, we stopped for lunch with the glacier backdrop and views of Alpine Accentor, Alpine Chough and Water Pipit. The recently exposed turf held masses of Alpine Snowbell Soldanella alpina, along with lesser numbers of Dwarf Snowbell Soldanella pusilla, plus good quantities of

Valais – Highlights of the Swiss Alps Tour Report

Hairy Primrose Primula hirsuta and the occasional Spring Pasqueflower Pulsatilla vernalis. After a filling picnic we headed towards the Mooseflüh cablecar where, on the acidic heath, we had plenty of flowering Alpenrose Rhododendron ferruginium, Trailing Azalea Kalmia procumbens and flowering plants including Frog Orchid Dactylorhiza viridis, Pyramidal Bugle Ajuga pyramidalis and Large-flowered Leopard’s-bane Doronicum grandiflorum.

We hopped off the Moosflüh car at the mid station and all walked back towards the hotel via the Bettmersee. Amongst the juniper and dwarf shrub heath we found good numbers of Small White Orchids Pseudorchis albida, Shrubby Milkwort Polygala chamaebuxus and Globeflower Trollius europaeus. Arriving back at the hotel for late afternoon, we enjoyed a cold drink on the veranda before a freshen-up, trip log and then evening meal overlooking the mighty Matterhorn.

Day 3 Tuesday 26th June

Having woken to a splendid sunny morning and a good forecast for the day ahead, we had a filling breakfast before setting out from the hotel to explore the Harrenweg plateau and Eggishorn. Near the hotel we admired a group of cream coloured Elder-flowered Orchids Dactylorhiza sambucina, and noted the regular Ring Ouzels, Black Redstarts and Citril Finches before boarding the Wurzenbord chairlift, to take some of the legwork out of today’s walk. The view from the top was stunning, looking across the Rhöne Valley towards the snow-capped Matterhorn, and the late spring snowmelt had left the turf studded with Long-spurred Pansy Viola calcarata, Trumpet Gentian Gentiana acaulis and masses of yellow flowered Alpine Pasqueflower Pulsatilla alpina subsp. apiifolia. Lingering snow patches revealed carpets of Spring Crocus Crocus vernus subsp. albiflorus, Kuepfer’s Buttercup Ranunculus kuepferi and a smattering of Alpine Snowbells Soldanella alpina.

By mid-morning we paused for refreshments and some delicious apricot tart at Bättmer-Hita, where we watched Water Pipit, Northern Wheatear and a hunting Stoat. The last leg of the walk before lunch took us through diverse scrubby acid heath containing a range of choice plants and as the day started to warm up, a range of butterflies including Swallowtail, Alpine Heath and Dark Green Fritillary put in an appearance. Cuckoo and Spotted Nutcracker called in the valley below, Whinchat sang from the scrub, and Red Kite circled overhead. At Fiescheralp we caught the cablecar taking us up to 2,869 metres near the Eggishorn summit.

Extensive snow patches still occurred at the top, but we still enjoyed our picnic in the sun overlooking the Aletsch Glacier with Jungfrau, Mönch and the south face of the Eiger at the head of the glacier. After lunch we pottered around the summit, joined by scavenging Alpine Choughs, and finding a range of higher altitude alpines including Purple Saxifrage Saxifraga oppositifolia, Glacier Crowfoot Ranunculus glacialis, Saxifraga seguieri and Glacier Mouse-ear Cerastium uniflorum. Unfortunately the quantity of snow had held back many of the hoped-for floral highlights, so by early afternoon we headed by cablecar to the valley bottom at Fiesch.

From Fiesch we took the train back to Betten, before getting the cablecar back up the mountain to Bettmeralp. With a warm afternoon we headed into a wooded glade, finding Serin, Spotted Nutcracker and a range of butterflies including Heath and False Heath Fritillaries, Alpine Heath, Piedmont Ringlet and Mountain Ringlet. We ambled back up through the village to our hotel to enjoy a much earned drink on the balcony before catching up with the daily log and enjoying our evening meal whilst watching the setting sun light up the Matterhorn.

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Valais – Highlights of the Swiss Alps Tour Report

Day 4 Wednesday 27th June

As predicted by the forecast, we woke to another glorious day so, after a slightly earlier breakfast, we headed off towards Zermatt and the Matterhorn to explore this part of the region. The scenic route to Zermatt, along the Glacier Express cogged train line, made for a relaxing but enjoyable start to the day. The train wound its way up the Matter Valley, following the turbulent milky waters of the Matter Vispa under the surrounding snow-capped high peaks. On arrival at Zermatt, we then crossed the street to the Gornergrat Bahn where we caught our final train to take us up the steep cogged line to the Gornergrat at 3,089 metres, with expansive views of the Matterhorn all the way up.

We got out at the top of the Gornergrat for a brief stop to view the Gorner Glacier, the Matterhorn and a panoramic view of the other 28 4,000-metre-altitude peaks visible from this part of the Alps. A short foray around the top found pink-flowered Round-leaved Penny-cress Thlaspi rotundifolium subsp. rotundifolium, Rock Jasmine Androsace vandellii and a small patch of the King of the Alps Eritrichium nanum. We boarded the train and went down one stop, getting off the train at Rotenboden station where the snow had recently melted revealing a mass of snow melt species. Alpine Toadflax Linaria alpina, Alpine Fleabane Erigeron alpinus, Mountain Penny- cress Thlaspi montanum, Short-leaved Gentian Gentiana brachyphylla, Vitaliana Vitaliana primuliflora and Pink Rock Jasmine Androsace laggeri covered the sward.

We enjoyed a picnic lunch amidst the alpine flora overlooking the Matterhorn and Rifflesee, with a bunch of foraging Alpine Choughs in close attendance. After lunch we walked down the slope towards the Riffelsee where we had views of Alpine Accentor, Alpine Marmot and a lone Chamois feeding on the cliffs above. With the warm, clear conditions continuing into the afternoon, we managed to take some classic Matterhorn reflection photographs in the Rifflesee, before heading out towards Riffelberg across turf covered in Snowdon Lily Gagea serotina and Trailing Azalea Kalmia procumbens. In a patch of snowmelt we finally found a lone Snowfinch.

Unfortunately the station cafe was shut, so we boarded the train back down towards Zermatt, noting stands of flowering Martagon Lilies Lilium martagon in the woodland clearings. We had time for a quick refreshing beer in Zermatt before catching the train back down the scenic Matter Valley towards Betten, where we spotted a pair of Golden Eagles from the train. At Betten we waited for the incoming cablecar, which bizarrely was transporting a goat down the mountain, before we caught it back to our village of Bettmeralp to enjoy our evening meal looking over to the Matterhorn and the area where we had spent the day.

Day 5 Thursday 28th June

A few of the group met before breakfast to wander around the nearby Larch woods in search of some of the areas birdlife. Starting with singing Cuckoo and Ring Ouzel by the hotel, we found Firecrest, Willow Tit, several Spotted Nutcrackers and Common Crossbill in the woods before returning by more open country, where we added Linnet and a singing male Whinchat to the tally. In addition to birds we also found a few Wood White butterflies and Vanilla Orchid Gymnadenia rhellicani.

After breakfast we set off along the promenade from Bettmeralp towards Riederalp, where the roadside verges and meadows were packed with a diversity of tall herbs. Bearded Bellflower Campanula barbata, Bettony-leaved Rampion Phyteuma betonicifolium and White False-helleborine Veratrum album were common in the swards, along

Valais – Highlights of the Swiss Alps Tour Report

with other gems including Martagon Lily Lilium martagon, May Lily Maianthemum bifolium and Fragrant Orchid Gymnadenia conopsea. Butterflies were on the wing with us finding Purple-edged Copper, False Heath Fritillary, Osiris Blue and Black-veined White. In the edge of the Larch stands we found Crested Tit, Bullfinch, Treecreeper and more Spotted Nutcrackers.

In Riederalp we caught the Moosfluh cablecar to the top of the ridge, where we walked parallel to the Aletsch Glacier before stopping for a picnic lunch in the sun. After lunch we descended into the Aletsch Forest, where the smell of Scots Pine and some of the ericaceous shrubs was in the air. Alpenrose Rhododendron ferrugineum was in full bloom and we also found many Southern Gentians Gentiana alpina and Spoon-leaved Saxifrages Saxifraga cuneifolia growing on shady boulders. By mid-afternoon we reached Villa Cassel where we enjoyed drinks and home baked cakes in the original wooden-panelled dining room of this former stately home.

Late-afternoon we continued back towards Bettmeralp, noting Cobweb Houseleek Sepervivium arachnoideum, Lesser Redpoll and Apollo butterfly. We finished the day completing the evening trip log before enjoying another delicious evening meal in the hotel dining room.

Day 6 Friday 29th June

With the fine weather continuing, we woke to another warm and sunny start, where after breakfast we set off through Bettmeralp on the ‘three villages walk’ that would take us down the slope towards Domo and Betten. From the hotel terrace we saw Black Kite, Citril Finch and Serin. We followed the traffic-free road out of the village between both traditional and more modern Swiss buildings, where the roadside verges and village meadows were floristically spectacular. With the warming sun, butterflies were numerous, including Purple-edged Copper, Adonis Blue, Black-veined White and Queen of Spain Fritillary. Ring Ouzel, Fieldfare and Blackbirds were busy providing for their young around the houses, and Garden Warbler and Crested Tit were spotted as well. As we entered the coniferous forest we noted Greater Knapweed Centaurea scabiosa subsp. alpina, Nettle- leaved Bellflower Campanula trachelium and a lovely display of flowering Wood-rush Luzula nivea.

After negotiating a field with placid grazing cows, we started to enter a hillside cloaked in stunning mountain hay meadows that were in various states of management, depending on the altitude. Many of the higher ones had not yet been cut and were packed with a range of tall herbs, including Bladder Campion Silene vulgaris, Carthusian Pink Dianthus carthusianorum, Wild Liquorice Astragalus glycyphyllos, Cypress Spurge Euphorbia cyparissias and Wood Scabious Knautia dipsacifolia. Insect life in the meadows was also rich, with a good range butterflies, grasshoppers and crickets, plus numerous stunning Sulphur Owlflies. We walked on further down the slope towards the hamlet of Domo where we had lunch sitting beside a traditional barn, where the owner arrived later, showing us inside and giving us a bit of a background into the history and village life of the area.

Continuing on the Villages walk, we found several Red-backed Shrikes, Western Bonelli’s Warbler, Goshawk, Golden Eagle and Yellowhammer, before finally arriving at the small conurbation of Betten Dorf. By late afternoon, we arrived at the cablecar station, taking the cablecar back up the slope to Bettmeralp for a relaxed afternoon. After the daily log, we went down to the hotel pizzeria to enjoy a traditional stone baked pizza in the restaurant before retiring to bed.

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Valais – Highlights of the Swiss Alps Tour Report

Day 7 Saturday 30th June

For our final full day in the Alps, we decided to spend the day in the habitats surrounding the village. A pre- breakfast walk with the birders found the usual mix of species with good views of Nutcracker, Firecrest and Willow Tit. After breakfast the group set out through the Bettmeralp Forest, where yet again we were entertained by Nutcracker, Crested Tit, Nuthatch and a family party of Goldcrests. The woodland floor was rich in ericaceous shrubs and a range of flowering plants including May Lily Maianthemum bifolium, Small White Orchid Pseudorchis albida, Common Spotted Orchid Dactylorhiza fuchsii and Arnica Arnica montana. Butterflies were equally well represented with Swallowtail, False Heath Fritillary and several large Woodland Graylings. As we walked alongside a section of friable cliff, we found both Livelong Saxifrage Saxifraga paniculata and Rough Saxifrage Saxifraga aspera.

As we left the forest, the path took us out along a slope overlooking the Rhone Valley below with views out towards the Italian Alps and Matterhorn range. The south-facing slopes were covered in a diverse range of shrubs, scrub and flowering plants with Alpenrose Rhododendron ferrugineum and Bearberry Arctostaphyllos uva-ursi in full bloom. After negotiating a small landslip from the winter we were back on the path, where we found good shows of Lesser Butterfly Orchid Plantanthera bifolia, Vanilla Orchid Gymnadenia rhellicani, Fragrant Orchid Gymnadenia conopsea and Globeflower Trollius europaeus. Whinchat, Tree Pipit and Water Pipit were noted in the scrubby heath vegetation. By midday the path reached Bättmer-Hita, where we had stopped earlier in the week so, given the quality of the cakes, we paused again to enjoy coffee along with homemade apricot tart and vanilla slices.

After the refreshment stop, we continued the short way back towards the Wurzenbord chairlift where, once again, we were impressed by the quantities of flowering alpines including Trumpet Gentian Gentiana acaulis, Alpine Pasqueflower Pulsatilla alpina subsp. apiifolia, Spring Crocus Crocus vernus subsp. albiflorus, Kuepfer’s Buttercup Ranunculus kuepferi and Alpine Snowbell Soldanella alpina. We took the chairlift back down into Bettmeralp where we then set up the picnic lunch on the edge of the forest, enjoying our last picnic of the holiday in the welcome shade.

For the afternoon the group were free to do as they chose, with some opting for photographing butterflies on the village meadows, some going to buy gifts in the village and the remaining half of the group taking the cablecar back up the nearby Bettmerhorn to enjoy the birds, plants and views from this lofty peak. By late- afternoon many of the group had gathered for an evening drink on the balcony before completing the trip log and enjoying our last evening meal of the trip.

Day 8 Sunday 1st July

With a late-afternoon departure from Geneva we had a relaxed start to the day. The group packed their belongings before most of us went back up the Wurtzenbord chairlift for one last view over Bettmeralp, before we walked down to the cable station. The walk down to the cable station was complemented by the usual village birdlife including Ring Ouzel, Citril Finch, Black Redstart and Alpine Chough. With our bags collected from the hotel electric vehicle, we said goodbye to our host Chris before taking the car to the valley bottom and meeting with the local train to take us to Brigg, where we transferred to board the express train to the airport, via Lausanne and Lake Geneva, before catching our flights back to the UK.

Valais – Highlights of the Swiss Alps Tour Report

Species Lists

Plants (‡ = cultivated or naturalised) Scientific Name Common Name

LYCOPODIOPSIDA CLUBMOSSES

Lycopodiaceae Clubmoss Family Diphasiastrum alpinum Alpine Clubmoss Huperzia selago Fir Clubmoss Lycopodium annotinum Interrupted Clubmoss

EQUISETOPSIDA HORSETAILS

Equisetaceae Horsetail Family Equisetum palustre Marsh Horsetail Equisetum sylvaticum Wood Horsetail

PTEROPSIDA FERNS

Aspleniaceae Spleenwort Family Asplenium ruta-muraria Wall-rue Asplenium septentrionale Forked Spleenwort Asplenium trichomanes Maidenhair Spleenwort Asplenium viride Green Spleenwort

Blechnaceae Hard-fern Family Blechnum spicant Hard-fern

Dennstaedtiaceae Bracken Family Pteridium aquilinum Bracken

Dryopteridacaeae Buckler-fern Family Dryopteris affinis Scaly Male-fern Dryopteris dilatata Broad Buckler-fern Dryopteris filix-mas Male-fern Gymnocarpium dryopteris Oak Fern Polystichum aculeatum Hard Shield-fern Polystichum lonchitis Holly-fern

Ophioglossaceae Adder’s-tongue Family Botrychium lunaria Moonwort

Polypodiaceae Polypody Family Polypodium vulgare Common Polypody

Thelypteridaceae Marsh Fern Family Phegopteris connectilis Beech Fern

Woodsiaceae Lady-fern Family Athyrium distentifolium Alpine Lady-fern Athyrium filix-femina Lady-fern Cystopteris fragilis Brittle Bladder-fern Woodsia alpina Alpine Woodsia

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Valais – Highlights of the Swiss Alps Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name

PINOPSIDA CONIFERS

Cupressaceae Juniper Family Juniperus communis subsp. nana Common Juniper

Pinaceae Pine Family Abies alba European Silver-fir Larix decidua Larch Picea abies Norway Spruce Pinus mugo Dwarf Mountain-pine Pinus sylvestris Scots Pine

MAGNOLIOPSIDA FLOWERING PLANTS

MAGNOLIIDAE DICOTYLEDONS

Aceraceae Maple Family Acer campestre Field Maple Acer pseudoplatanus Sycamore

Apiaceae Carrot Family Aegopodium podagraria Ground Elder Athamanta cretensis Athamanta Heracleum sphondylium Hogweed Peucedanum ostruthium Masterwort Laserpitium latifolium Broad-leaved Sermountain Ligusticum mutellina Alpine Lovage Pimpinella saxifraga Burnet-saxifrage

Araliaceae Ivy Family Hedera helix Ivy

Asteraceae Daisy Family Achillea erba-rotta subsp. moschata Musk Milfoil Achillea millefolium Yarrow Antennaria dioica Cat's-foot Arnica montana Arnica Aster alpinus Alpine Aster Aster bellidiastrum False Aster Bellis perennis Daisy Carduus defloratus Alpine Thistle Carlina acaulis Stemless Carline Thistle Centaurea montana Mountain Cornflower Centaurea scabiosa ssp. alpina Greater Knapweed Cicerbita alpina Alpine Blue-sowthistle Cirsium acaule Dwarf Thistle Cirsium spinosissimum Spiniest Thistle Crepis aurea Golden Hawk's-beard Doronicum grandiflorum Large-flowered Leopard's-bane Erigeron alpinus Alpine Fleabane Eryngium alpinum Queen of the Alps Eupatorium cannabinum Hemp Agrimony Hieracium alpinum Alpine Hawkweed

Valais – Highlights of the Swiss Alps Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name

Hieracium pilosella Mouse-ear Hawkweed Homogyne alpina Alpine Colt's-foot Jacobaea incana Grey Alpine Groundsel Leontodon hispidus Alpine Hawkbit Leucanthemopsis alpina Alpine Moon Daisy Leucanthemum vulgare Ox-eye Daisy Petasites paradoxus Alpine Butterbur Prenanthes purpurea Purple Lettuce Senecio doronicum Chamois Ragwort Solidago virgaurea Goldenrod Symphotrichum novi-belgii New York Aster Taraxcum disectum A Dandelion Taraxacum officinale Dandelion Tragopogon pratenis Goat's-beard Tussilago farfara Colt's-foot

Berberidace Berberis Family Berberis vulgaris Common Barberry

Betulaceae Birch Family Alnus glutinosa Common Alder Alnus viridis Green Alder Betula pendula Silver Birch

Boraginaceae Borage Family Echium vulgare Viper's Bugloss Myosotis alpestris Alpine Forget-me-not

Brassicaceae Cabbage Family Alliaria petiolata Garlic Mustard Arabis alpina subsp. alpina Alpine Rock-cress Biscutella laevigata Buckler Mustard Capsella bursa-pastoris Shepherd's-purse Cardamine alpina Alpine Bitter-cress Cardamine impatiens Narrow-leaved Bitter-cress Cardamine pratensis subsp. pratensis Lady's Smock Draba aizoides Yellow Whitlowgrass Draba dubia Austrian Whitlowgrass Pritzelago alpina Chamois Cress Thlaspi montanum Mountain Penny-cress Thlaspi rotundifolium subsp. rotundifolium Round-leaved Penny-cress

Campanulaceae Bellflower Family Campanula barbata Bearded Bellflower Campanula glomerata Clustered Bellflower Campanula rotundifolia Harebell Campanula spicata Spiked Bellflower Campanula trachelium Nettle-leaved Bellflower Phyteuma betonicifolium Betony-leaved Rampion Phyteuma hemisphaericum Globe-headed Rampion

Cannabaceae Hop Family Humulus lupulus Hop

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Valais – Highlights of the Swiss Alps Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name

Caprifoliaceae Honeysuckle Family Lonicera alpigena Alpine Honeysuckle Lonicera xylosteum Fly Honeysuckle Sambucus ebulus Dwarf Elder Sambucus nigra Common Elder Sambucus racemosa Alpine Elder Viburnum opulus Guelder-rose

Caryophyllaceae Pink Family Cerastium arvense subsp. strictum Field Mouse-ear Cerastium cerastoides Starwort Mouse-ear Cerastium fontanum Common Mouse-ear Cerastium latifolium Broad-leaved Mouse-ear Cerastium uniflora Glacier Mouse-ear Dianthus carthusianorum Carthusian Pink Dianthus sylvestris Wood Pink Gypsophila repens Alpine Gypsophila Minuartia sedoides Mossy Cyphel Minuartia verna Vernal Sandwort Sagina procumbens Procumbent Pearlwort Silene acaulis Moss Campion Silene diocia Red Campion Silene nutans Nottingham Catchfly Silene pratensis White Campion Silene rupestris Rock Campion Silene vulgaris Bladder Campion Stellaria holostea Greater Stichwort Stellaria media Common Chickweed

Chenopodiaceae Goosefoot Family Chenopodium bonus-henricus Good-King-Henry

Cistaceae Rockrose Family Helianthemum nummularium subsp. grandiflorum Large-flowered Common Rockrose Helianthemum oelandicum subsp. alpestre Alpine Rockrose

Corylaceae Hazel Family Corylus avellana Hazel

Crassulaceae Stonecrop Family Sedum acre Biting Stonecrop Sedum album White Stonecrop Sedum alpestre Alpine Stonecrop Sedum dasyphyllum Thick-leaved Stonecrop Sedum telephinum Orpine Sempervivum arachnoideum Cobweb Houseleek Sempervivum montanum Mountain Houseleek Sempervivum tectorum Common Houseleek

Dipsacaceae Teasel Family Knautia dipsacifolia Wood Scabious Scabiosa lucida Shining Scabious

Valais – Highlights of the Swiss Alps Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name

Empetraceae Crowberry Family Empetrum nigrum subsp. hermaphroditum Hermaphrodite Crowberry

Ericaceae Heather Family Arctostaphylos alpinus Alpine Bearberry Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Bearberry Calluna vulgaris Ling Kalmia procumbens Trailing Azalea Rhododendron ferrugineum Alpenrose Vaccinium myrtillus Bilberry Vaccinium uliginosum agg. Bog Whortleberry Vaccinium vitis-idaea Cowberry

Euphorbiaceae Spurge Family Mercurialis perennis Dog's Mercury

Fabaceae Pea Family Anthyllis vulneraria subsp. alpestris Alpine Kidney Vetch Astragalus alpinus Alpine Milk-vetch Astragalus depressus Sprawling Milk-vetch Astragalus frigidus Pallid Milk-vetch Astragalus glycyphyllos Wild Liquorice Hedysarum hedysaroides Alpine Sainfoin Hippocrepis comosa Horseshoe Vetch Lathyrus aphaca Yellow Vetchling Lathyrus pratensis Meadow Vetchling Lotus alpinus Alpine Bird's-foot-trefoil Medicago sativa ‡ Lucerne Onobrychis viciifolia Sainfoin Ononis repens Common Restharrow Oxytropis campestris Yellow Milk-vetch Oxtropis pilosa Wooly Milk-vetch Robinia pseudoacacia ‡ False Acacia Trifolium alpinum Alpine Clover Trifolium badium Brown Clover Trifolium montanum Mountain Clover Trifolium pallescens Pale Clover Trifolium pratense Red Clover Trifolium repens White Clover Vicia cracca Tufted Vetch

Fagaceae Beech Family Fagus sylvatica Beech Quercus petraea Sessile Oak Quercus robur Pedunculate Oak

Gentianaceae Gentian Family Gentiana alpina Southern Gentian Gentiana acaulis Trumpet Gentian Gentiana brachyphylla Short-leaved Gentian Gentiana clusii Clusius' Gentian Gentinan purpurea Purple Gentian Gentiana verna Spring Gentian

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Valais – Highlights of the Swiss Alps Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name

Geraniaceae Crane's-bill Family Geranium molle Dovesfoot Crane’s-bill Geranium robertianum Herb Robert Geranium sanguinium Bloody Crane’s-bill Geranium sylvaticum Wood Crane's-bill

Hypericaceae St John’s-wort Family Hypericum maculatum Imperforate St John's-wort Hypericum richeri Alpine St John’s Wort

Juglandaceae Walnut Family Juglans regia ‡ Walnut

Lamiaceae Dead-nettle Family Ajuga pyramidalis Pyramidal Bugle Ajuga reptans Common Bugle Clinopodium alpinum Alpine Calamint Galeopsis tetrahit Common Hemp-nettle Lamiastrum galeobdolon Yellow Archangel Lamium purpureum Red Dead-nettle Prunella vulgaris Self-heal Salvia pratensis Meadow Clary Stachys alpina Alpine Woundwort Thymus polytrichus Wild Thyme Thymus pulegioides Large Thyme

Lentibulariaceae Butterwort Family Pinguicula vulgaris Common Butterwort

Linaceae Flax Family Linum catharticum Fairy Flax

Oleaceae Ash Family Fraxinus excelsior Ash Ligustrum vulgare Wild Privet

Onagraceae Willowherb Family Chamerion angustifolium Rosebay Willowherb Epilobium alsinifolium Chickweed Willowherb Epilobium montanum Broad-leaved Willowherb

Oxalidaceae Wood-sorrel Family Oxalis acetosella Wood-sorrel

Papaveraceae Poppy Family Papaver rhoeas Common Poppy

Plantaginaceae Plantain Family Plantago maritima subsp. serpentina Fleshy Plantain Plantago media Hoary Plantain Plantago lanceolata Ribwort Plantain

Valais – Highlights of the Swiss Alps Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name

Polygalaceae Milkwort Family Polygala alpina Alpine Milkwort Polygala chamaebuxus Shrubby Milkwort Polygala vulgaris Common Milkwort

Polygonaceae Dock Family Oxyria digyna Mountain Sorrel Persicaria vivipara Alpine Bistort Rumex acetosella Sheep’s Sorrel Rumex alpestris Mountain Dock Rumex alpinus Monk's-rhubarb

Primulaceae Primrose Family Androsace obtusifolia Blunt-leaved Rock-jasmine Androsace vandelii Rock-jasmine Lysimachia nemorum Yellow Pimpernel Primula farinosa Bird's-eye Primrose Primula hirsuta Hairy Primrose Primula veris Cowslip Soldanella alpina Alpine Snowbell Soldanella pusilla Dwarf Snowbell Vitaliana primuliflora Vitaliana

Ranunculaceae Buttercup Family Anemone narcissiflora Narcissus-flowered Anemone Anemone nemorosa Wood Anemone Aquilegia atrata Dark Columbine Caltha palustris Marsh-marigold Clematis alpina Alpine Clematis Hepatica nobilis Liverleaf Pulsatilla alpina subsp. apiifolia Alpine Pasqueflower Pulsatilla vernalis Spring Pasqueflower Ranunculus acris Meadow Buttercup Ranunculus glacialis Glacier Crowfoot Ranunculus kuepferi Kupfer’s Buttercup Ranunculus montanus Mountain Buttercup Thalictrum alpinum Alpine Meadow-rue Trollius europaeus Globeflower

Rosaceae Rose Family Alchemilla alpina Alpine Lady's-mantle Alchemilla vulgaris agg. Lady's-mantle Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn Filipendula ulmaria Meadowsweet Fragaria vesca Wild Strawberry Geum montanum Alpine Avens Geum reptans Creeping Avens Geum rivale Water Avens Geum urbanum Herb Bennet Potentilla aurea Golden Cinquefoil Potentilla crantzii Alpine Cinquefoil Potentilla erecta Tormentil Potentilla sterilis Barren Strawberry

Valais – Highlights of the Swiss Alps Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name

Poterium sanguisorba Salad Burnet Prunus avium Wild Cherry Rosa canina Dog-rose Rubus idaeus Raspberry Rubus saxatilis Stone Bramble Sibbaldia procumbens Sibbaldia Sorbus aria Whitebeam

Rubiaceae Madder Family Cruciata laevipes Crosswort Galium anisophyllon Dwarf Bedstraw Galium boreale Northern Bedstraw Galium odoratum Woodruff Galium verum Lady’s Bedstraw

Salicaceae Willow Family Populus alba White Poplar Populus tremula Aspen Salix arbuscular Mountain Willow Salix aurita Eared Willow Salix herbacea Least Willow Salix retusa Retuse-leaved Willow Salix serpyllifolia Thyme-leaved Willow

Saxifragaceae Saxifrage Family Chrysosplenium alternifolium Alternate-leaved Golden-saxifrage Saxifraga aizoides Yellow Mountain Saxifrage Saxifraga aspera Rough Saxifrage Saxifraga bryoides Mossy Saxifrage Saxifraga cuneifolia Soon-leaved Saxifrage Saxifraga exarata subsp. moschata Musky Saxifrage Saxifraga oppositifolia Purple Saxifrage Saxifraga paniculata Livelong Saxifrage Saxifraga seguieri Scree Saxifrage Saxifraga stellaris Starry Saxifrage

Scrophulariaceae Figwort Family Bartsia alpina Alpine Bartsia Cymbalaia muralis‡ Ivy-leaved Toadflax Euphrasia salisburgensis Irish Eyebright Linaria alpina Alpine Toadflax Linaria vulgaris Common Toadflax Melampyrum pratense Common Cow-wheat Pedicularis kerneri Beaked Lousewort Pedicularis foliosa Leafy Louswort Rhinanthus alectorolophus Greater Yellow-rattle Rhinanthus minor Yellow-rattle Vebascum pulverulentum Hoary Mullein Veronica alpina Alpine Speedwell Veronica beccabunga Brooklime Veronica chamaedrys Germander Speedwell Veronica officinalis Heath Speedwell

Valais – Highlights of the Swiss Alps Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name

Tiliaceae Lime Family Tilia cordata Small-leaved Lime Tilia platyphyllos Large-leaved Lime

Urticaceae Nettle Family Urtica dioica Common Nettle

Violaceae Violet Family Viola biflora Yellow Wood Violet Viola calcarata Long-spurred Pansy Viola lutea Mountain Pansy Viola palustris Marsh Violet Viola riviniana Common Dog-violet Viola tricolor Wild Pansy

LILIIDAE MONOCOTYLEDONS

Amaryllidaceae Daffodil Family Allium senescens Mountain Onion

Asparagaceae Asparagus Family Anthericum liliago St Bernard’s Lily Maianthemum bifolium May Lily Paradisea liliastrum St Bruno's Lily

Iridaceae Iris Family Crocus vernus subsp. albiflorus Spring Crocus

Juncacae Rush Family Juncus trifidus Three-leaved Rush Juncus triglumis Three-flowered Rush Luzula multiflora Heath Wood-rush Luzula nivea Snow Rush Luzula spicata Spiked Wood-rush Luzula sylvatica Great Wood-rush

Liliaceae Lily Family Gagea serotina Snowdon Lily Gagea fistulosa A Yellow Star of Bethlehem Lilium martagon Martagon Lily

Melanthiaceae Herb-Paris Family Veratrum album White-false Helleborine

Orchidaceae Orchid Family Coeloglossum viride Frog Orchid Dactylorhiza fuchsii Common Spotted-orchid Dactylorhiza majalis Broad-leaved Marsh-orchid Dactylorhiza sambucina Elder-flowered Orchid Gymnadenia conopsea Fragrant-orchid Gymnadenia rhellicani Vanilla Orchid Neottia ovata Twayblade Orchis mascula Early Purple Orchid

Valais – Highlights of the Swiss Alps Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name

Plantanthera bifolia Lesser Butterfly Orchid Pseudorchis albida Small-white Orchid

Birds (=recorded but not counted; H = heard only) June/July Common name Scientific name 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 1 1 Mute Swan Cygnus olor 1 10 2 Tundra Swan Cygnus columbianus 3 Mallard Anas platyrhynchos  3  4 Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula 1 5 Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus 10  6 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 3  7 Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 15  8 Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos 2 2 2 1 9 Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis 1 10 Red Kite Milvus milvus  2 1  11 Black Kite Milvus migrans 3 1 1  12 Common Buzzard Buteo buteo 6 1 3 1  13 Eurasian Coot Fulica atra 2  14 Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus   15 Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis   16 Rock Dove Columba livia    17 Common Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus   18 Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto 1 2 19 Tawny Owl Strix aluco H 20 Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba 6 21 Common Swift Apus apus         22 Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major 1 4 1 1 23 Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 10 1       24 Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio 4 25 Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus 2 H H 1 1 1 26 Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius 1 1 2 2 27 Eurasian Magpie Pica pica 2 1  2  28 Spotted Nutcracker Nucifraga caryocatactes H 2 3 10 3 15+ 4 29 Alpine Chough Pyrrhocorax graculus 4 30 20+      30 Carrion Crow Corvus corone  6 2 2 4  31 Northern Raven Corvus corax 2 4 6 2 4 3 6 32 Coal Tit Periparus ater 4 6 3  2 4 6 3 33 European Crested Tit Lophophanes cristatus  6 10+ 10+ 1 34 Willow Tit Poecile montanus  2H H H 35 Great Tit Parus major 2  4  6 3 36 Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis 6 H 37 Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica    38 Eurasian Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris         39 Common House Martin Delichon urbicum         40 Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix   H   41 Eurasian Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla H H H 42 Garden Warbler Sylvia borin H H H 43 Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca 1 44 Common Firecrest Regulus ignicapilla H 2 2H H 45 Goldcrest Regulus regulus 3

Valais – Highlights of the Swiss Alps Tour Report

June/July Common name Scientific name 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 1 46 Eurasian Wren Troglodytes troglodytes H H H H H H H 47 Eurasian Nuthatch Sitta europaea 4 H 6 4 2 48 Eurasian Treecreeper Certhia familiaris 1 2 2 49 Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris  50 Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus 4 8 8 10+ 10+   6 51 Common Blackbird Turdus merula         52 Fieldfare Turdus pilaris 4 1 3 10 20 20+  53 Song Thrush Turdus philomelos 1 4 2 54 Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus 1 2 4 6 4 2 55 Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata 1 1 56 European Robin Erithacus rubecula 1 2 2 4 1 57 Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros         58 Whinchat Saxicola rubetra 1 3 1 1 2 2 59 Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe 6 10 10+ 4 2 60 White-throated Dipper Cinclus cinclus 1 1 1 61 House Sparrow Passer domesticus         62 White-winged Snowfinch Montifringilla nivalis 3 63 Alpine Accentor Prunella collaris 6 H 3 H 64 Dunnock Prunella modularis H H 3 2 3 65 Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea 1 66 White Wagtail Motacilla alba 2 4 4 10 6 4 4 67 Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis H H 10 6 68 Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta 2 10+ 10+ 8 H 4 69 Common Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs 6 8 H      70 Eurasian Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula 6 2 2 71 Common Linnet Linaria cannabina 4 8 10 6 8 4 H 2 72 Common Redpoll Acanthis flammea 3 73 Red Crossbill Loxia curvirostra 3 20+ 4 4 4 74 European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis 2 H 8 6  75 Citril Finch Carduelis citrinella 10 4 10 6 10 8  76 European Serin Serinus serinus 6 4 6 10+ 8  77 Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella 1

Mammals

Brown Hare, Lepus capensis Red Squirrel, Sciurus vulgaris Alpine Marmot, Marmotta marmotta Red Deer, Cervus elaphus Alpine Chamois, Rupicapra rupicapra Stoat, Mustela nivalis

Amphibians & Reptiles

Common Frog, Rana temporaria Common Newt, Triturus vulgaris

Butterflies

Swallowtail, Papilio machaon Apollo, Parnassius apollo Black-veined White, Aporia crataegi Large White, Pieris brassicae Small White, Pieris rapae Green-veined White, Pieris napi Orange Tip, Anthocharis cardamines Clouded Yellow, Colias crocea Mountain Clouded Yellow, Colias phicomone Wood White, Leptidea sinapis Green Hairstreak, Callophrys rubi Purple-edged Copper, Palaeochrysophanus hippothoe

Valais – Highlights of the Swiss Alps Tour Report

Scarce Copper, Lycaena virgaureae Osiris Blue, Cupido osiris Adonis Blue, Lysandra bellargus Common Blue, Polyommatus icarus Peacock, Inachis io Red Admiral, Vanessa atalanta Painted Lady, Cynthia cardui Large Tortoiseshell, Nymphalis polychlorus Small Tortoiseshell, Aglais urticae Dark Green Fritillary, Mesoacidalia aglaja Queen of Spain Fritillary, Issoria lathonia Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Clossiana selene False Heath Fritillary, Melitaea diamina Heath Fritillary, Melitaea athalia Marbled White, Melanargia galathea Alpine Grayling, Oeneis glacialis Woodland Grayling, Hipparchia fagi Scotch Argus, Erebia aethiops Mountain Ringlet, Erebia epiphron Piedmont Ringlet, Erebia meolans Meadow Brown, Maniola jurtina Small Heath, Coenonympha pamphilus Alpine Heath, Coenonympha gardetta Wall Brown, Lasiommata megera Northern Wall Brown, Lasiommata petropolitana Large Skipper, Ochlodes venatus