France - the Cevennes

France - The Cevennes

Naturetrek Tour Report 15 - 22 May 2019

Cevennes Pasque Flower Red-footed Falcon

Western Bonelli’s Warbler Garland Flower (Daphne cneorum )

Report & images by John & Jenny Willsher

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 France - The Cevennes

Tour participants: Jenny & John Willsher (leaders) and 12 Naturetrek clients

Summary

In the southernmost part of the Massif Central are the rugged and dramatic landscapes of the Cevennes and Causses, surrounding the attractive town of Florac. This area, with its diversity of landscapes, meant a wildlife- rich week in this beautiful and peaceful part of France, enjoying masses of colourful and intriguing plants, many species of butterflies and some great birds.

We landed in Montpellier in bright sunshine and this meant an enjoyable journey through typical French villages with classic avenues of lime, poplar or plane trees. As we ascended the Corniche de Cevennes, the roadsides were dotted with orchids and Meadow Saxifrage, and a meadow of Poet's Narcissi gave us a flavour of the week ahead. The colours of the forests, meadows and rocky roadside banks were wonderful. The weather forecast was not good, but the stunning sunny days were some compensation for the wet days! Orchid species were prolific, (we clocked 32 species!) with drifts of Early Purple Orchids, the red and yellow Elder-flowered Orchid and banks of Monkey, Lady and Military Orchids in profusion. Birding highlights included regular sightings of Griffon Vultures, close views of Red-footed Falcon, an immature Bearded Vulture, several Black Kites and Red- backed Shrike, Hoopoe and both Rock Thrushes. Crag Martins, Serins, Bonelli’s Warbler and Black Redstarts were common around the hotel and there was regular sound of Nightingales and Cuckoos.

A week of great wildlife, enthsiastic company, lovely food and stunning scenery in this beautiful area of France.

Day 1 Wednesday 15th May

Arrive Montpellier, drive to Cocures along the Corniche de Cevennes The flight made good time and, once John and Jenny had the paperwork sorted for the vehicles, we were soon on our way. Once away from the busy roads around Montpellier and onto much quieter roads, we could appreciate the attractive small towns and villages we passed through, some with classic avenues of plane, lime or poplar trees and rose-clad houses, with surrounding vineyards.

The landscape around Montpellier was dotted with Maritime and Umbrella or Stone Pine - trees typical of a Mediterranean landscape. The roadsides were colourful with Red and Pink Valerian, Spanish Broom, Cow Parsley and we also saw Chicory, the lemon-yellow Urospermum (Urospermum dalechampii), Wild Gladioli, Pink Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis), French Lavender and Robinia trees.

The Corniche des Cevennes gave us views across a wonderful rolling landscape of wooded hills and we stopped at a viewpoint to admire the scenery, hearing our first of many Cuckoos and taking our first close look at the flowers and plants. We found Meadow Saxifrage, Snow-in-Summer, Rock Soapwort, White Rock-rose and a few spikes of Early Purple Orchids (Orchis mascula) were also seen. Many areas were a mass of wildflower colour including drifts of Cowslips and Early Purple Orchids and a meadow of Poet’s Narcissi (Narcissus poeticus), all to be enjoyed on subsequent days. We descended into the Tarnon Valley, bypassed Florac and headed for Cocures and our hotel. Once settled into our rooms, and after a drink at the bar we enjoyed the first of many delicious meals. Joan and Caroline were travelling by train and joined us later.

France - The Cevennes Tour Report

Day 2 Thursday 16th May

St Laurent-de-Treves, Col de Rey, Col de Faisses Some took a cool and misty pre-breakfast walk opposite our hotel up to a ridge overlooking the River Tarn. There had been a fire here but many plants were re-generating and we found Box, Manna Ash, Meadow Saxifrage, the bi-coloured variant of Crimson Clover (Trifolium incarnatum subsp. molinerii), the diminutive plants Annual Knawel and Honewort (Trinia glauca), Cypress Spurge, Pig-nut, Pyrenean Broom, Tassel Hyacinth, Common Star-of-Bethlehem, Thick-leaved Stonecrop and Alpine Plantain. A Bonelli’s Warbler was singing and came close enough for us to get good views. Cuckoo, Blackcap and a distant Nightingale could be heard.

Our first stop after breakfast was at the supermaket in Florac for our picnic provisions. John had suggested to those waiting by the vans that they keep an eye on the cliffs above for Griffon Vultures and a few were seen, but also a heronry in a pine wood behind the town. After this good start we headed south along the valley of Le Tarnon, to the hamlet of St-Laurent-de-Treves, where dinosaur footprints can be seen on a rocky limestone knoll. The weather was cool but sunny and we had views west across to the Causse Mejean, south towards Mont Aigoul and north-east to Mont Lozere. Over the Causse Mejean, in the distance many Griffon Vultures were circling. Plants were a bit sparse, the season being later this year, but we found Common and Hoary Rock-rose, Shining Cranesbill, Little Robin, Spiked Speedwell, Stinking Hellebore, and on the rocks and walls of this small settlement, an intriguing collection of tiny plants including the diminutive Rue-leaved saxifrage, Ivy-leaved Toadflax, Maidenhair Spleenwort, Wall Rue, Rustyback Fern and Brittle Bladder-fern. Birds included Nuthatch, Serin, Goldfinch and the ubiquitous Black Redstart. A Scarce Swallowtail settled very obligingly in a lilac bush.

A little further south at the Col de Rey, we explored a track through Box and Prickly Juniper scrub. The grassy banks were dotted with many orchids including spikes of the handsome Lady Orchid, Military, Monkey and Man Orchids and some interesting hybrids. We also found Early Purple, Green-winged and Elder-flowered Orchids. Other plants included Grape Hyacinth, Salsify, the silvery-foliaged Mountain Kidney Vetch, False Vetch, Blue Bugle, Hepatica, Cowslip and our first specimens of the large Acanthus-leafed Carline Thistle, locally called Cardabelle. The dried heads of this plant, with its huge ruff of bracts (up to 50 centimetres across), can be seen pinned to doors in some of the villages, where various myths are attached to it. Skylark, Whitethroat and Orphean Warbler were heard, and we had good views of a male Red-backed Shrike and two Short-toed Eagles that seemed to be displaying. The sound of Cuckoos was also a constant backdrop we would become accustomed to for the rest of the week.

We then moved on to a wooded area where we found a few spikes of the endemic Aymonin's Fly Orchid and buds of Common Spotted, Twayblade and Greater Butterfly Orchids. In a puddle in the track Grizzled and Red Underwing Skipper butterflies were drinking. Wall Brown was also seen. The nearby meadow was studded with Early Purple and Elder-flowered Orchids (in both its colour forms) and a few small spikes of Burnt Orchid. Bonelli’s Warbler sang from the pines and in the distance, a Mistle Thrush.

We enjoyed our first picnic, in the breezy sunshine, from a huge stone table and seats. Moving up to the Can de l'Hospitalet (Can means small causse), we stopped at the field of Poet’s Narcissi but they were yet to be at their best. We then took a walk to a viewpoint on the edge of the Causse. We were soon diverted by a flowery vista which included handsome spikes of Lady and Military Orchids and their hybrids, golden Cowslips and the purple Cevennes Pasque Flower (Pulsatilla rubra subsp. rubra) In a dip in the landscape

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France - The Cevennes Tour Report

there was a carpet of Grass-leaved Buttercup. From a rocky viewpoint we looked out across extensive Beech forest to the edge of the Causse Mejean. At our feet the turf was studded with Spiked and Prostrate Speedwell, Tuberous Valerian (Valeriana tuberosa) and Mountain Kidney Vetch.

At our furthest stop we explored another area of Broom scrub and rough pasture, colourful and fragrant with many plants. In the low turf beside the road we found masses more spikes of the Cevennes Pasque Flower with its fluffy seed heads, Mountain Pansy, Heath Dog Violet with its pale spur, Star-of-Bethlehem, Green-winged Orchid and more Burnt Orchid. Further along the road a small falcon was seen, and John quickly identified it as a Red-footed Falcon; we enjoyed a few minutes of watching it hunt and all had good views of this female bird. Another was seen alongside a Kestrel, Raven and a distant Black Kite. At a dew pond were bathing Yellowhammers.

We then headed back towards Cocures. Just before Florac we stopped at an attractive bridge over the Tarnon, hoping to see a Dipper. Grey and White Wagtail were seen and there was evidence of Beaver activity. Clinging to the stonework was the attractive French Figwort, Ivy-leaved Toadflax and Soft Snapdragon with its cream flowers.

Day 3 Friday 17th May

Gorge du Tarn, St Enemie, Causse Mejean The weather forecast for the day was persistent and heavy rain so any early excursion was cancelled! But being hardy Naturetrekkers, we stuck to plan A and managed an enjoyable but admittedly damp day.

After a quick visit into Florac for picnic provisions, we travelled north on the N106, turning off onto the scenic D907 along the Tarn Valley. Our first stop was to cross the river before Molines and to walk beside the lush riverbank. Masses of Swifts, House and Crag Martins hunted insects above us over the river, and in the distance were a few Griffon Vultures. Plants included Common and Small-leaved Lime, White Poplar, Mistletoe, Meadow and Creeping Buttercup, the shrubby Scorpion Vetch, Wild Garlic, Yellow Archangel and Lamium garganicum subsp. laevigatum. Further on, flattened grass near the river suggested Beaver activity.

We drove further on downstream admiring numerous roadside flowers including Common Snapdragon, Red Valerian, Blue Lettuce, Woad and clumps of Blue Aphyllanthes, and crossed the Tarn to park below the intriguing village of Castelbouc, tucked into the side of the gorge, with the remains of its castle on a rocky peak. On the overhanging rocks in the village we found the usual ferns plus Common Polypody, Maidenhair Fern, Cevennes Saxifrage (Saxifraga cebennensis), Chaenorhinum origanifolium, Pyrenean Toadflax and Harebell (Campanula rotundifolia). We followed the footpath through the village, past the communal bread oven where a previous year’s group sheltered from the cold! We crossed the stream and took the path along the river through the old village garden terraces now long deserted and overgrown, where we heard Blackcap and a Firecrest was seen briefly. In the shady woods we found spikes of the saprophytic Violet Limodore (Limodorum arbortivum) – not quite in flower, White Bryony, Wild Madder, Twayblade, Solomon’s-seal, Butcher’s Broom, Spiked Rampion, French (Western) Crane’s-bill, Wood Spurge (Euphorbia amygdaloides), Narrow-leaved Bitter-cress, Wild Garlic and Bastard Balm. White Helleborine was seen along the edge of the path. At this point the rain began in earnest so we retreated back through the village to the riverside cafe. The staff served us welcome hot drinks and agreed for us to use their sheltered outdoor tables for our picnic.

France - The Cevennes Tour Report

Picnic done we moved on, enjoying the stunning views of the gorge as we headed for St-Enemie, where we stopped for maps and postcards. We split up – some to explore the town and others to watch the river where Steve and Sue, Derek and Mary had discovered a pair of Dippers at a nest high up under the bridge. Most of the group enjoyed good views as the birds fed and bobbed on the gravel island before zipping up to the nest hole. Then it was back in the vans and across the narrow humpback bridge and the scenic switchback road up to the Causse Mejean. Snaking up from the dramatic scenery we were then in a very different world of the sometimes- bleak landscape of the most famous of the Causses. It is the most open and deserted of these limestone plateaus with more standing stones (menhirs) than villages due to religious and political purges in distant history.

Our first stop was at a hillside to search for orchids and we found Early Spider, Fly and more of the local Aymonin’s Fly Orchids. In the edge of a cereal field we found Pheasant -eye and Shepherds Needle. A distant Orphean Warbler was heard, also Nightingale and Buzzard and Northern Wheatear were seen. Another flower stop found us lush clumps of Yellow Pheasant-eye and many spikes of Military Orchid, more Fly and Aymonim’s Fly Orchids and their hybrids, and Early Spider Orchids. Having managed to dodge with the worst of the weather it was time to return to Cocures where hot showers were calling! From the wide spacious landscape of the Causse Mejean, we took the switchback road down to Florac, through a forest of Labernum and Robinia trees. High on a bank two perfect spikes of Lady orchids were seen but we couldn’t stop for better views.

At log, before dinner, Tony shared his findings about the bats he had recorded the previous evening and played some of their ‘calls’. He was very pleased to report hearing seven species.

Day 4 Saturday 18th May

Le Pont de Montvert, Mont Lozere, Les Bondons A few of the group took an early walk down to the river, behind the woodyard. Ferns included Forked and Maidenhair Spleenwort, Rustyback Fern and Wall Rue. We were hoping for views of Otter and Dipper but had to make do with Bonelli’s Warbler, Chaffinch, Black Redstart and Crag Martins.

After breakfast we set off eastwards from Cocures towards Le-Pont-de-Montvert. The narrow road winds between rocky banks and forested hillsides. Botanising at roadside stops produced Mountain Dog Daisy, Rock Cinquefoil, Ling, Carline-leaved Thistle with its bright pink heads, the delicate St Bernard’s Lily (Anthericum liliago) and banks of the handsome yellow-flowered umbellifer, 'Molly' (Molopospermum peloponnesiacum) with its glossy green foliage. The hillsides were gold and fragrant with various brooms. We stopped to look at the attractive little town of Le Pont de Montvert, topping up our picnic supplies with a visit to the patisserie where the baker was a bit shocked when Jenny requested 14 tarts! Birthday girl Sarah T had first choice!

Crag Martins, Swifts and Swallows hunted insects over the rushing River Tarn and Grey and White Wagtails were displaying amongst the riverside vegetation. The dreary weather necessitated a coffee stop so we crowded into a small bar for drinks and facilities. The locals already were on the brandy! Once we had extricated ourselves and the vehicles from the town, we headed for Mont Lozère. The weather did not improve, and we passed snow patches! Roadside flowers now included Wild Daffodil and White and Purple Crocus. Pat heard a Crested Tit and we all had good views. A walk into the low cloud on Mont Lozère was now not an attractive proposition, so we turned round and found a sheltered place for our picnic at the side of a closed information centre. Ring Ouzel,

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Goldcrest, Coal Tit and Mistle Thrush sang while we enjoyed lunch. We toasted Sarah T as it was her birthday and Sarah and Richard who were celebrating their wedding anniversary. We should have also toasted Sue H as this trip was a present for a special birthday later in the year! (Apologies Sue!) Joan and Caroline had decided to spend the day exploring around Cocures and we hoped they were having better weather – which they were!

We then started our return journey to Cocures, firstly stopping for Rock Bunting and Red-backed Shrike. Then it was back through Le Pont de Montvert and on to the turning up onto the 'Circuit des Menhirs'. Firstly, we stopped to look a wet flush on the bank where we found Common and Heath Spotted Orchids, Burnt Orchid and Marsh Marigold. Birds seen included Black Kite and Kestrel and the ever-present Cuckoo. Our next stop was to admire an extensive hillside of 'Molly' and later a meadow of gold proved irresistible to the botanists. At the top of a stone wall was a small meadow of Cowslips mixed with butter-yellow Kidney Vetch, lime-green Crosswort and studded with Elder-flowered, Early Purple and Green-winged Orchids. The stone wall had Nice Milkwort in its two colour forms of bright-blue and pink and also bright-pink Carthusian Pink.

We slowly made our way down a lovely lush valley to Cocures, through small hamlets.

Day 5 Sunday 19th May

Gorge du Jonte, Causse Noir, Meyreus On a pre-breakfast walk out of the village we looked at the plants on the rocky roadsides and these included many ferns – Black, Maidenhair and Forked Spleenwort, Wall Rue and Rusty-back Fern (Asplenium adiantum- nigrum, A. trichomanes, A. septentrionale, A. ruta-muraria and A. ceterach). We also found Montpellier Maple, Daisy- leaved Toadflax with its tiny blue flowers, Mountain Dog Daisy, Pectinate Knapweed and the fleshy leaves of Orpine – yet to flower. A large pale-green spike of a Lizard Orchid looked a little way off coming into flower! Many Bonelli’s Warblers were singing, and we saw Firecrest, Nuthatch, Long-tailed Tit, Blackcap and a Black Kite.

Today we headed for the Belvedere des Vautours, in the Gorge de la Jonte. We took the switchback road from Florac up to the Causse Mejean where we stopped at a viewpoint on the way up to admire the view of the mist- filled valleys below. At one point we passed through a forest of Laburnum trees and there were various orchid species on the grassy banks. The landscape was scattered with settlements, areas of planted pine and open areas dotted with box, juniper and windswept Amelanchier. This provided a varied and rich landscape for the naturalist and it was tempting to stop at every flower-covered bank and field. We did however stop to check out a Juniper- dotted hillside and were soon watching Northern Wheatear, Rock Sparrow, Mistle Thrush, Tree Pipit and Hoopoe. We scanned the local aerodrome for Stone-curlew and then moved on to the Auberge de Chanet at Nivoliers where we had coffee. There was housing for your horse or donkey should you choose to emulate Robert Louis Stevenson who recorded his journey “Travels with a Donkey through the Cevennes” before writing his more famous novels. We were pleased to enjoy the warmth of the restaurant which had a fire burning at one end.

Near the village of le Villaret we scanned unsuccessfully the large enclosure for any Przewalski's Horses - a rare Mongolian breed that is being bred here with a view to returning some to their native home. A rocky roadside bank had Yellow and Hoary Rock-rose and Steve found a lovely clump of the Alpine Aster (the Cevennes form is no longer recognised as being distinct from other Alpine Asters). After crossing the Causse Mejean, we

France - The Cevennes Tour Report

descended down a steep valley towards the Gorge de la Jonte, stopping part way down to explore the roadside flowers of this warmer south-facing valley. Here we found Curry Plant (Helichrysum stoechas), the purple-pink Pyrenean Vetch, Fairy Foxglove, Yellow Woundwort, Blue Aphyllanthes, Common Globularia, Laserpitium siler, Lady and Man Orchids and Sword-leaved Helleborine.

Then onto the Belvedere. This is an interpretive centre and viewing point for the many vultures that nest in the gorge, mostly Griffon Vultures, but now also Black Vulture - the result of a successful re-introduction programme. In the centre we enjoyed the excellent interpretation displays and viewing platforms and had the added bonus this year of a live CCTV view of a Black Vulture at a feeding station. On the path to the centre were more lovely spikes of Lady and Man Orchid and Small Spider Orchid.

After our picnic we then continued east to the pretty rose-festooned town of le Rozier where we crossed the river heading south and up onto the Causse Noir – so called because its large population of Black or Austrian Pines. Unfortunately, it had started to rain. Our first stop was in the pine woods where the ground was studded with Sword-leaved Helleborine. It was difficult to decide which was the best one to photograph! We also found a few spikes of the unusual saprophytic Bird’s-nest Orchid (so-called as its root system resembles a bird’s nest!). Travelling a little distance further we found a grassland site with many Woodcock, a few Passiontide and Small and Early Spider Orchids and many Burnt Orchids, but the rain shortened our visit here.

We made our return to Florac and Cocures via Meyreuis and the Causse Mejean.

Day 6 Monday 20th May

Mont Aigoual Today we headed for Mont Aigoual, the wettest and windiest place in the area, if not the whole of France! The area can have two metres of rain a year! On our way to the top, our first roadside stop was to look for flowers on a grassy bank below the dramatic southern rocky edge of the Causse Mejean. Above us on the cliff ledges were a few spikes of White Asphodel and on the roadside Fly Honeysuckle, Blue Gromwell and the delicate St Bernard’s Lily. Sue P. spied a shy Greater Butterfly Orchid. A few Griffon Vultures glided along the edge of the escarpment above us. We stopped again to explore a meadow at the Col de Perjeret, where there were many Military Orchids, a few Lady Orchids, also Small and Early Spider and possibly Passiontide Orchids, Twayblade and many spikes of the unusual fern Common Adder’s-tongue.

Then onto towards Mont Aigoual which was a patchwork of various shades of green: dark-green pines with bright-green areas of Beech, Larch and Sweet Chestnut and also brigh-yellow patches of broom. The mountain was re-forested over a century ago. Fossilised pollen grains tell the history of the forests here; that it has changed from birch and pine (10-7,000 BC), to deciduous oak (7-5,000 BC), Beech and fir (5-2,000 BC) and then grazed from the Iron Age, and later diminished through logging.

There is an observatory building at the peak where coffee and facilities were very welcome as we were now in low cloud and it was cold and damp. So after hot drinks, and some indulging in apple tart, we aborted our planned walk and headed away from the observatory and Mont Aigoual to find a more sheltered spot for our picnic, stopping in a quiet layby, after turning down into the upper Tarnon valley. The surrounding hillsides were a mass of fragrant Broom and the meadows and roadside banks were a mass of flowers – the verges white with

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Meadow Saxifrage and Star-of-Bethlehem, flushes of Green-winged Orchid, clumps of dark pink Sticky Catchfly, large patches of yellow Crosswort and many colourful vetches. We also found a few spikes of Field Fleawort and many clumps of the pleated grey-green leaves of Great Yellow Gentian, sadly not quite in flower.

We then continued on down through this beautiful valley through the hamlet of Massevaques – a favourite holiday place for the late President Mitterand. We had a walk down the valley appreciating the colourful verges – plants included the bright-pink Carline-leaved Thistle, Spring Vetchling, Blue Gromwell, Pyramidal Bugle, Lady's Smock, Nottingham Catchfly and Rock and Hoary Cinquefoil. Good views were had of a Short-toed Treecreeper. At the bottom of the valley, before joining the main road, Jenny slowed to look at a clump of St Bernard’s Lily when she noticed a lovely flush of Serapias lingua, an orchid rarely seen in the Cevennes. This is one of an unusual group of orchids known collectively as Tongue Orchids due to their floral construction.

On our return we stopped in Florac to visit the park information centre and a short look at this attractive town with the Vibron river flowing through its centre. A Dipper can sometimes be seen flying up the river past the riverside cafes. The ancient centre of Florac was built at the junction of four rivers – Vibron, Tarnon, Mimente and Tarn; it was also on the junction of the ancient transhumance (the movement of sheep for seasonal grazing) routes between the Languedoc and the Auvergne.

Day 7 Tuesday 21st May

Vebron, Nimes-le-Vieux, Hures, Nivoliers We woke to bright sunshine and some of the group took a pre-breakfast walk through the village and up the narrow valley behind. On the walls were various ferns and sedums, and on the grassy verges, plants included the pink Wood Scabious, Rock Cinquefoil and many vetches. A Nightingale and Blackcaps were singing close to the village and a Wren was heard.

Today we headed south along the Tarnon to the hamlet of Vebron where we took a narrow road up to the southern edge of the Causse Mejean. The roadside flora was rich and varied - we started with Woodcock Orchid on the edge of the road, then found good spikes of Bug Orchid, drifts of Lady and Military Orchids and their hybrids along with Creeping Bellflower (Campanula rapunculoides), and Vipers Bugloss. Other plants included Bastard Balm, various rock-roses and vetches and several specimens of the Broad-leaved Sermountain. In a meadow below the road were a large number of particularly good spikes of Man Orchid and the next little meadow seemed full of Burnt Orchid. On the bank was a very obvious hybrid between a Man and Monkey Orchid. It was warm and sunny with several butterflies on the wing, including Knapweed Fritillary and Berger’s Clouded Yellow. Numerous Blackbirds sang in the valley below us. Cuckoo and Great Spotted Woodpeckers called. It was hard to leave the many riches of this lovely byroad.

Then on up and onto the Causse Mejean - a sudden contrast with wide open spaces. We stopped to watch a Tawny Pipit then there were more Griffon Vultures, a Short-toed Eagle, Red-backed Shrikes, Northern Wheatears, Black Kite. We stopped at a small hamlet for coffee and hot chocolate and then headed for our walk which was the through the rocky habitat of Le Nimes-le-Vieux, a dramatic karst landscape – a jumble of dolomitic limestone rock pillars and sculptures left after the softer limestone and soil has been eroded away over millennia.

France - The Cevennes Tour Report

The turf between the rocks has the appearance of a rock garden with various species of orchid, Alpine Fleabane, Three-leaved Valerian, drifts of the pale yellow flowered Crested Lousewort, Common and Hoary Rock-rose and bright blue cushions of Tufted Milkwort. Amongst the rocks were the fragrant Garland Flower and the tiny bright white flowers of Kernera (K saxatalis) and, also, we had distant views of two crag-top birds - both Common (Rufous-tailed) and Blue Rock Thrush.

In looking for a sheltered spot for our picnic, John turned down a small road towards a rocky knoll. Once parked we realised that in the area around us was a mass of Spider and Passiontide Orchids, and the areas between the rocks were yellow with Crested Lousewort and had clumps of Cevennes Pasque Flower.

We then did a leisurely perambulation of the southern edge of the Causse stopping occasionally for more Red- backed Shrikes. At a dramatic viewpoint where we could look down onto Meyrueis we watched Raven, Chough and a Buzzard float past us. Another bird followed the Buzzard and it only took a few seconds to recognise that this was an immature Bearded Vulture, which floated past us just above eye level. Just before Nivoliers we managed to locate the Przewalski's horses- 11 animals at the top of their enclosure a mile or so away. In Nivolier in a small enclosure were some donkeys, including two very endearing gangly-legged foals. Near the aerodrome we had another scan over the arable fields, firstly seeing an Iberian Grey Shrike, then checking a Kestrel, and as we turned to head back a Stone-curlew crossed the road in front of us. We all got distant views as it fed at some distance near the runway. We then headed back towards Florac, and on to Cocures.

At log Tony updated us on his bat count. He was very pleased to report he had found 12 species in total including Greater Noctule Bat – listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

Day 8 Wednesday 22nd May

Return to Montpellier for flight to Gatwick It was a beautiful sunny morning and after breakfast we bid farewell to Joan and Caroline who were returning early to Montpellier to catch their train. The rest of us took advantage of the later flight time to take a local walk along the other side of the river, past wooded and rocky banks. On a rock face there were many small ferns plus French and Mossy Saxifrage. Along the track edge and in the wood were Green Alder, Norway and Montpelier Maple, Wood Anemones, Rock Cinquefoil, Common Aquilegia, Foxglove, Male, Scaly Male and Lady Ferns. We saw a Grey Wagtail down at the edge of the river but sadly no sign of Otter or Dipper.

Then we returned to the hotel to finish packing and load the vans. We said farewell to our host Pierrette, before heading for the Corniche des Cevennes. Past Florac, we passed the field of Poet’s Narcissi, many more of which were in bloom. We had a brief stop at a viewpoint for a last look at the green vistas of the Cevennes on each side, as stunning as ever, as we headed south on the Corniche. Steve and Sue found a new butterfly for the list – a Spotted Fritillary. As we continued south the roadside flora soon became more Mediterranean with Giant Fennel, Ox-eye Daisy, the bright-yellow Urospermum, Common Poppy, Wild Gladioli, Sage-leaved Cistus and Stone and Maritime Pines. We took a brief roadside break, stretched our legs and did a little more botanising adding Serapias vomeracea to our already impressive orchid list. Then we made good time to the busy Montpellier and our flight home to the UK.

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Species Lists

Plants (* = A species is endemic) Scientific name Common name Location

PTERIDOPHYTES FERNS & ALLIES

Adiantaceae Maidenhair fern Family Adiantum capillus-veneris Maidenhair Fern Castelbouc

Aspleniaceae Spleenwort Family Asplenium adiantum-nigrum Black Spleenwort Cocures Asplenium ceterach (Ceterach officinarum) Rusty -back “ Asplenium ruta-muraria Wall Rue “ Asplenium septentrionale Forked Spleenwort “ Asplenium trichomanes Maidenhair Spleenwort “

Athyriaceae Lady Fern Family Athyrium filix-femina Lady Fern Cocures

Dennstaedtiaceae Bracken Family Pteridium aquilinum Bracken Seen regularly

Dryopteridaceae Buckler-fern Family Dryopteris affinis agg. Golden Scaly Male-fern Cocures

Ophioglossaceae Adder's-tongue Family Ophioglossum vulgatum Adder's-tongue Col de Perjeret

Polypodiaceae Polypody Family Polypodium vulgare Common Polypody Castelbouc

GYMNOSPERMS CONIFERS

Cupressaceae Juniper Family Juniperus oxycedrus Prickly Juniper Causse Mejean Juniperus phoenicea Phoenician Juniper “

Pinaceae Pine Family Pinus nigra subsp. salzmanii Black Pine Causse Noir Pinus pinaster Maritime Pine Montpellier Pinus pinea Umbrella or Stone Pine “ Pinus sylvestris Scots Pine Causse Noir Pinus uncinata Mountain Pine “

Taxaceae Yew Family Taxus baccata Yew Seen regularly

ANGIOSPERMS FLOWERING PLANTS

Magnoliidae (Dicotyledons)

Adoxaceae Moschatel Family Sambucus nigra Elder

France - The Cevennes Tour Report

Scientific name Common name Location

Viburnum lantana Wayfaring Tree

Apiaceae Carrot Family Anthriscus sylvestris Cow Parsley Cocures Athamantha cretensis Athamantha Gorge du Tarn Bunium bulbocastanum Great Pignut Cocures Conopodium majus Pignut “ Daucus carota Wild Carrot Roadsides Eryngium campestre Field Eryngo Seen regularly Foeniculum vulgare Fennel Anduze Heracleum sphondylium subsp. sibiricum Hogweed (yellow flowered) Not in flower Laserpitium siler A Sermountain Roadsides Laserpitium latifolium Broad-leaved Sermountain Meum athamanticum Spignel Seen regularly Molopospermum peloponnesiacum Molopospermum (Molly) Seen regularly Sanicula europaea Sanicle Cocures Scandix pecten-veneris Shepherd's Needle Field edges Trinia glauca Honewort Tiny -Cocures

Apocynaceae Periwinkle Family Vincetoxicum hirundinaria Swallow-wort Castlebouc, Causse Mejean

Aralaceae Ivy Family Hedera helix Ivy Seen everywhere

Aquifoliaceae Holly Family Ilex aquifolium Holly Seen regularly

Asteraceae Daisy Family Achillea millefolium Yarrow Seen regularly Anthemis creticus Mountain Dog-daisy Cocures Aster alpinus (subsp. cebennensis*) Alpine Aster Hures Bellis perennis Daisy Seen everywhere Carduus defloratus subsp. carlinifolius Carline-leaved Thistle Roadsides Carlina acanthifolia Acanthus-leaved C. Thistle Seed heads only Centaurea pectinata Pectinate Knapweed Cocures Cichorium intybus Chicory Cirsium palustris Marsh Thistle Doronicum austriacum Austrian Leopard's-bane Erigeron alpinus Alpine Fleabane Hieracium pilosella Mouse-ear Hawkweed Hypochoeris maculata Spotted Cat's Ear Roadsides Lactuca perennis Blue Lettuce “ Lapsana communis Nipplewort “ Leucanthemopsis alpina Alpine Moon Daisy Seen regularly Leucanthemum vulgare Ox-eye Daisy “ Pilosella officinarum Mouse-eared Hawkweed Tragopogon pratensis Goat's-beard Tripleurospermum inodorum Scentless Mayweed Tussilago farfara Colt's-foot Urospermum dalechampei Urospermum Roadsides, nr Montpellier

10 © Naturetrek July 19

France - The Cevennes Tour Report

Scientific name Common name Location

Betulaceae Birch Family Alnus glutinosa Alder Seen regularly Betula pendula Common Birch “ Corylus avellana Hazel “

Boraginaceae Borage Family Buglossoides (Lithosp.) purpurocaerulea Blue Gromwell Nr Col de Perjeret Cynoglossum officinale Houndstongue Echium vulgare Vipers Bugloss Seen regularly Myosotis arvensis Field Forget-me-not Onosma fastigiata Golden Drops Roadsides Symphytum tuberosum Tuberous Comfrey “

Brassicaceae Cabbage Family Aethionema saxatile Burnt Candytuft Seen occasionally Alyssum alyssoides Small Alyssum “ Arabis glabra Tower Mustard “ Arabis hirsuta Hairy Rock-cress “ Arabis nova Cream flowers Arabis turrita Tower Cress Biscutella laevigata Buckler Mustard Cardamine impatiens Narrow-leaved Bitter-cress Castelbouc Cardamine pratensis Lady's Smock Seen regularly Capsella bursa-pastoris Shepherd's Purse “ Cheiranthus cheiri Wallflower Clypeola jonthlaspi Clypeola Erophila verna Whitlow-grass Hornungia petraea Hutchensia Isatis tinctoria Woad Roadsides Kernera saxatilis Kernera Lepidium (Cardaria) draba Hoary Cress Seen regularly Lunaria annua Honesty Seen regularly Sisymbrium officinale Hedge Mustard “ Teesdalia nudicaulis Shepherd's-cress “ Thlaspi arvense Field Penny-cress

Buxaceae Box Family Buxus sempervirens Box Seen widely

Campanulaceae Bellflower Family Campanula erinus Annual Bellflower Tiny flowers Campanula rapunculoides Creeping Bellflower Roadsides Campanula rotundifolia Harebell Castlebouc, Phyteuma spicatum Spiked Rampion “

Caprifoliaceae Honeysuckle Family Centranthus ruber Red Valerian Centranthus calcitrapae Annual Valerian Dipsacus fullonum Teasel Seed heads only Knautia arvensis Field Scabious Seen occasionally Knautia dipsacifolia Wood Scabious Cocures Knautia pyrenaica Pyrenean Scabious Lonicera periclymenum Honeysuckle Seen regularly

France - The Cevennes Tour Report

Scientific name Common name Location

Lonicera xylosteum Fly Honeysuckle Nr Col de Perjeret Valeriana globulariifolia Globularia-leaved Valerian Valeriana officianalis Common Valerian Valeriana tripteris Three-leaved Valerian Valeriana tuberosa Tuberous Valerian Valerianella locusta Corn Salad

Caryophyllaceae Pink Family Arenaria serpyllifolia subsp. leptoclados Thyme-leaved Sandwort Cerastium arvense Field Mouse-ear Cerastium fontanum Common Mouse-ear Cerastium glomeratum Sticky Mouse-ear Cerastium tormentosum Snow-in-Summer Roadsides Dianthus carthusianorum Carthusian Pink “ Moehringia trinervia Three-nerved Sandwort Nimes-le-Vieux Saponaria ocymoides Rock Soapwort Seen widely Scleranthus perennis Annual Knawel Tiny plant Silene dioica Red Campion Seen widely Silene (Lychnis) flos-cuculi Ragged Robin Silene italica Italian Catchfly “ Silene latifolia White Campion “ Silene otites Spanish Catchflly “ Silene (Lychnis) viscaria Sticky Catchfly “ Silene vulgaris Bladder Campion “ Stellaria holostea Greater Stitchwort “ Stellaria media Chickweed Nimes-le-Vieux Stellaria umbellata Umbellate Chickweed

Celastraceae Spindle Family Euonymus europaeus Spindle Tree Seen widely

Cistaceae Cistus Family Cistus salvifolius Sage-leaved Cistus Seen occasionally Helianthemum apenninum White Rockrose Seen regularly Helianthemum nummularium Common Rockrose “ H. oelandicum subsp. canum Hoary Rockrose “

Convolvulaceae Bindweed family Convolvulus arvensis Field Bindweed Convolvulus cantabrica Pink Convulvulus

Cornaceae Dogwood Family Cornus sanguinea Common Dogwood

Crassulaceae Stonecrop Family Sedum acre Biting Stonecrop Cocures Sedum album White Stonecrop “ Sedum dasyphyllum Thick-leaved Stonecrop “ Sedum rupestre Rock Stonecrop “ Sedum telephium Orpine “ Umbilicus rupestris Wall Pennywort “

12 © Naturetrek July 19

France - The Cevennes Tour Report

Scientific name Common name Location

Cucurbitaceae White Bryony Family Bryonia cretica White Bryony

Euphorbiaceae Spurge Family Euphorbia amygdaloides Wood Spurge Castlebouc, Euphorbia characias subsp. characias Mediterranean Spurge Anduze Euphorbia cyparissias Cyprus Spurge Widely seen Euphorbia helioscopia Sun Spurge “ Euphorbia seguieriana Seguier's Spurge Roadsides Mercurialis perennis Dog's Mercury

Fagaceae Beech Family Castanea sativa Sweet Chestnut Widely seen Fagus sylvatica Beech “ Quercus coccifera Holly/Kermes Oak “ Quercus ilex Holm/Evergreen Oak “ Quercus petraea Sessile Oak “ Quercus pubescens Downy Oak “ Quercus robur Common Oak “

Gentianaceae Gentian Family Gentiana lutea Great Yellow Gentian Masses of leaves only

Geraniaceae Geranium Family Erodium cicutarium Common Storksbill Geranium columbinum Long-stalked Crane's-bill Geranium endressii Western Cranesbill Castlebouc, Geranium lucidum Shining Cranesbill Geranium molle Dove's-foot Cranesbill Geranium pratense Meadow Cranesbill Geranium pyrenaicum Hedgerow Crane's-bill Geranium purpureum Little Robin Geranium robertianum Herb Robert

Globulariaceae Globularia Family Globularia punctata Common Globularia Seen occasionally Globularia cordifolia Matted Globularia “

Grossulariaceae Gooseberry Family Ribes alpinus Mountain Currant Causse Mejean Ribes uva-crispa Wild Gooseberry “

Hypericaceae (Clusiaceae) St John's-wort Family Hypericum perforatum Perforate St John's-wort

Juglandaceae Walnut Family Juglans regia Walnut Cocures, hotel garden

Lamiaceae Dead-nettle Family Ajuga chamaepitys Ground Pine Ajuga genevensis Blue Bugle Ajuga reptans Common Bugle Lamium album White Dead-nettle

France - The Cevennes Tour Report

Scientific name Common name Location

Lamium amplexicaule Henbit Dead-nettle Lamium (Lamiastrum) galeobdolon Yellow Archangel Lamium garganicum Large Red Dead-nettle Lamium maculatum Spotted Dead-nettle Lamium purpureum Red Dead-nettle Melittis melissophyllum Bastard Balm Oreganum vulgare Oregano Leaves only Salvia pratensis Meadow Clary Stachys recta Yellow Woundwort Teucrium chamaedrys Wall Gemander Leaves only Teucrium rouyanum - “ Teucrium scorodonia Wood Sage Thymus praecox Hairy Thyme Thymus serpyllum Creeping Thyme Thymus vulgaris Thyme

Leguminosae (Fabaceae) Pea Family Anthyllis montana Mountain Kidney Vetch Seen regularly, silvery foliage Anthyllis vulneraria Kidney Vetch “, deep yellow Astragalus monspessulanus False Vetch Seen regularly Coronilla scorpioides Annual Scorpion Vetch Cytisus purgens Pyrennean Broom Cytisus scoparius Common Broom Cytisus (Cytisophyllum) sessilifolius Sessile Broom Genista hispanica Spanish Gorse Hippocrepis comosa Horse-shoe Vetch Hippocrepis emerus Scorpion Vetch Laburnum anagyroides Laburnum Seen widely, naturalised Lathyrus aphaca Yellow Vetchling Lathyrus montanus Bitter Vetch Lathyrus pratensis Meadow vetchling Lathyrus setifolious Brown Vetch Lotus corniculatus Bird's-foot Trefoil Lotus (Tetragonolobus) maritimus Dragon's Teeth Roadsides, pale yellow, large flowers Lotus pedunculatus Greater Bird's-foot Trefoil Medicago arabica Spotted Medick Medicago lupulina Black Medick Melilotus officinalis Common Melilot Onobrychis viciifolia Common Sainfoin Robinia pseudacacia Robinia Seen widely, naturalised Spartium junceum Spanish Broom Trifolium campestre Hop Trefoil Trifolium dubium Lesser Trefoil Trifolium incarnatum subsp. molinerii Crimson Clover Two tone flowers Trifolium pratense Red Clover Trifolium repens White Clover Trifolium rubens Red Trefoil Vicia cracca Tufted Vetch Vicia hirsuta Hairy Tare Vicia onobrychoides False Sainfoin Vicia sativa subsp. sativa Fodder Vetch Vicia sativa subsp. segetalis Common Vetch Vicia sepium Bush Vetch

14 © Naturetrek July 19

France - The Cevennes Tour Report

Scientific name Common name Location

Vicia tetraspermum Smooth Tare

Linaceae Flax Family Linum perenne Perennial Flax Blue Linum suffruticosum subsp. salsoides Pyrenean Flax Pale pink

Malvaceae Mallow Family Malva neglecta Dwarf mallow Malva parviflora Small mallow Malva sylvestris Common Mallow Tilia cordata Small-leaved Lime Tilia x europaea Common Lime Tilia platyphyllos Large-leaved Lime

Moraceae Fig Family Ficus carica Fig

Oleaceae Olive Family Fraxinus excelsior Ash Fraxinus ornus Manna ash Jasminum fruticans Wild Jasmine Ligustrum vulgare Privet

Orobanchaceae Broomrape Family Parentucellia latifolia Southern Bartsia Pedicularis comosa Crested Lousewort Nimes-le-Vieux, Causse Mejean Pedicularis palustris Red Rattle Mont Lozere Rhinanthus mediterraneus Mediterranean Rattle

Oxalidaceae Wood Sorrel Family Oxalis acetosella Wood Sorrel

Papaveraceae Poppy Family Chelidonium majus Greater Celandine Fumaria muralis subsp. boraei Common Ramping Fumitory Papaver argemone Prickly Poppy Papaver dubium Long-headed Poppy Papaver rhoeas Corn Poppy

Plantaginaceae Plantain Family Anarrhinum bellidifolium Daisy-leaved Toadflax Cocures, tiny blue flowers Antirrhinum majus Large Snapdragon Roadsides Asarina procumbens Creeping Snapdragon Creamy flowers Chaenorhinum origanifolium Chaenorhinum Castelbouc Cymbalaria muralis Ivy-leaved Toadflax Digitalis purpurea Foxglove Seen occasionally Erinus alpinus Fairy Foxglove “ Linaria supina Dwarf /Pyrennean Toadflax Plantago alpina Alpine Plantain Cocures Plantago holosteum - Plantago lanceolata Ribwort plantain Plantago major Great Plantain Plantago media Hoary Plantain

France - The Cevennes Tour Report

Scientific name Common name Location

Plantago sempervirens Branched Plantain Veronica alpina Alpine Speedwell Veronica beccabunga Brooklime Veronica chamaedrys Germander Speedwell Veronica cymbalaria Cymbalaria-leaved Speedwell White flowers Veronica persica Common Speedwell Veronica prostrata Prostrate Speedwell Veronica spicata Spiked Speedwell Veronica urticifolia Nettle-leaved Speedwell

Platanaceae Plane Family Platanus x hybrida London Plane Widely seen, planted

Plumbaginaceae Thrift Family Armeria alliacea Plantain-leaved Thrift Armeria alpina Mountain Thrift

Polygalaceae Milkwort Family Polygala alpestris Mountain Milkwort Polygala comosa Tufted Milkwort Polygala nicaeensis Nice Milkwort Polygala vulgaris Common Milkwort Polygala serpyllifolia Thyme-leaved Milkwort

Polygonaceae Knotweed Family Persicaria bistorta Bistort Rumex acetosa Sorrel Rumex acetosella Sheep's Sorrel Rumex scuatatus French Sorrel

Primulaceae Primrose Family Anagallis arvensis subsp. foemina Blue Pimpernel Primula veris Cowslip Masses!! Primula vulgaris Primrose A few seen, lots of leaves

Ranunculaceae Buttercup Family Adonis flammea Pyrenean Pheasant's-eye Causse Mejean Adonis vernalis Yellow Pheasant's-eye “ Anenome nemorosa Wood Anenome Mont Lozere Anemone (Pulsatilla) rubra ssp. rubra* Cevennes Pasque Flower Col de Fraisses Aquilegia vulgaris Columbine Seen occasionally Caltha palustris Marsh Marigold Seen regularly Clematis vitalba Old Man's Beard Leaves only Helleborus foetidus Stinking Helleore Hepatica nobilis Hepatica Col de Rey Ranunculus aconitifolius Aconite-leaved Buttercup Below Mont Aigoual Ranunculus acris Meadow Buttercup Ranunculus arvensis Corn Buttercup Ranunculus bulbosus Bulbous Buttercup Ranunculus carinthiacus Carinthian Buttercup Ranunculus ficaria agg. Lesser Celandine Ranunculus gramineus Grass-leaved Buttercup Col de Fraisses, Nimes-le-Vieux Ranunculus repens Creeping Buttercup

France - The Cevennes Tour Report

Scientific name Common name Location

Resedaceae Mignonette family Reseda lutea Wild Mignonette Reseda leuteola Weld Reseda phyteuma Corn Mignonette

Rosaceae Rose Family Alchemilla alpina Alpine Lady's-mantle Leaves only Amelanchier ovalis Amelanchier Causse mejean Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn Seen widely Filipendula ulmaria Meadowsweet Filipendula vulgaris Dropwort Frageria vesca Wild Strawberry Geum urbanum Herb Bennet Potentilla argentea Hoary Cinquefoil Small yellow flowers Potentilla reptans Creeping Cinquefoil Common Potentilla rupestris Rock Cinquefoil Roadsides, white flowers Potentilla sterilis Barren Strawberry Prunus avium Wild Cherry Prunus spinosa Blackthorn Rosa canina Dog Rose Rosa rubiginosa Sweet Briar Rubus caesius Dewberry Rubus fruticosus Bramble Rubus idaeus Raspberry Sanguisorba minor Salad Burnet Sorbus aria Whitebeam Sorbus aucuparia Mountain Ash

Rubiaceae Bedstraw family Cruciata laevipes Crosswort Widely seen, lime green Galium megalospermum (helveticum) Swiss Bedstraw Tiny flowers Galium mollugo Hedge Bedstraw Galium pumilum Slender Bedstraw Galium saxatile Heath Bedstraw Rubia peregrina Wild Madder Sheradia arvensis Field Madder Tiny lilac flowers

Salicaceae Willow Family Populus alba White Poplar Populus x canescens Hybrid Black Poplar Populus nigra agg. Black Poplar Populus tremula Aspen Salix caprea Goat Willow Salix cinerea Grey Willow Salix viminalis Osier

Saxifragaceae Saxifrage Family Saxifraga cebennensis* Cevennes Saxifrage Castelbouc Saxifraga granulata Meadow Saxifrage Everywhere! Saxifraga hypnoides Mossy Saxifrage Cocures, roadbanks Saxifraga tridactylites Rue-leaved Saxifrage Tiny plant

France - The Cevennes Tour Report

Scientific name Common name Location

Sapindaceae Maple Family Acer campestre Field Maple Seen regularly Acer monspessulanum Montpellier Maple Cocures Acer pseudoplatanus Sycamore “

Scrophulariaceae Figwort Family Scrophularia canina Alpine/French Figwort Scrophularia auriculata Ewater Figwort Verbascum nigra Dark Mullein Cocures Verbascum pulverulentum Hoary Mullien Roadsides

Thymelaceae Daphne Family Daphne cneorum Garland Flower Nimes-le-Viuex Daphne laureola Spurge Laurel

Ulmaceae Elm Family Ulmus glabra Wych Elm Ulmus minor Small -leaved Elm

Urticeae Nettle Family Parietaria diffusa a Pellitory-of-the-wall Parietaria judaica Pellitory-of-the-wall Urtica dioica Nettle

Violaceae Violet Family Viola arvensis Field Pansy Viola canina Heath Dog Violet Viola lutea Mountain Pansy Viola odorata Sweet Violet Viola riviniana Common Dog violet Viola tricolor agg. Heart's-ease

Liliidae (Monocotyledons)

Amaryllidaceae Daffodil Family Allium ursinum Wild Garlic Narcissus pseudonarcissus Wild Daffodil Mont Lozere Narcissus poeticus Pheasant's Eye Daffodil

Asparagaceae Asparagus Family Anthericum liliago St Bernard's Lily Aphyllanthes monspeliensis Blue Aphyllanthes Roadsides, widely seen Leopoldia (Muscari) comosa Tassel Hyacinth Seen occasionally Muscari neglectum Grape Hyacinth Common Ornithogalum umbellatum Star of Bethlehem Seen regularly Polygonatum multiflorum Solomon's Seal Polygonatum odoratum Angular Solomon's-seal Ruscus aculeatus Butcher's Broom

Colchicaceae Autumn Crocus Family Colchicum autumnale Autumn Crocus Leaves only

France - The Cevennes Tour Report

Scientific name Common name Location

Cyperaceae Sedge Family Carex caryophyllea Spring Sedge Carex flacca Glaucous Sedge Carex humilis Dwarf Sedge

Dioscoreaceae Yam Family Dioscorea (Tamus) communis Black Bryony

Iridaceae Iris Family Crocus caeruleus (albiflorus) White Spring Crocus Mont Lozere Crocus vernus Purple Crocus “ Gladiolus italicus Wild Gladiolus Iris pseudacorus Yellow Flag

Orchidaceae Orchid Family Anacamptis coriophora Bug Orchid “ Anacamptis morio Green-winged Orchid Masses!! Anacamptis morio x Orchis mascula a Hybrid Orchid Anacamptis pyramidalis Pyramidal Orchid Buds only Cephalanthera damasonium White Helleborine Castlebouc, Cephalanthera longifolia Sword-leaved Helleborine Causse Noir Dactylorhiza fuschii Common Spotted Orchid Dactylorhiza maculata Heath Spotted Orchid Dactylorhiza sambucina Elder-flowered Orchid Seen widely, both colours Himantoglossum hircinum Lizard Orchid Buds only Limodorum abortivum Violet Bird's-nest Orchid “ Neottia nidus-avis Bird's Nest Orchid Above Vebron Neottia ovata Twayblade Castelbouc Ophrys insectifera Fly Ophrys “ Ophrys insectifera subsp. aymonii Aymonin's Fly Orchid “ Ophrys passionis Passiontide Ophrys “ Ophrys scolopax Woodcock Ophrys Causse Noir Ophrys sphegodes Early Spider Orchid Causse mejean Ophrys sphegodes subsp. araneola Small Spider Orchid Causse Mejean Orchis anthropophora Man Orchid Above Vebron Orchis anthropophora x O. simia a Hybrid Orchid “ Orchis mascula Early Purple Orchid Masses!! Orchis militaris Military Orchid Widely seen Orchis militaris x O. purpurea a Hybrid Orchid “ Orchis militaris x O. simia a Hybrid Orchid “ Orchis purpurea Lady Orchid Widely seen Orchis purpurea x O. simia a Hybrid Orchid Orchis simia Monkey Orchid Orchis ustulata Burnt Orchid Anbove Vebron Plantanthera chlorantha Greater Butterfly Orchid Seen occasionally Serapias lingua Tongue Orchid Nr Rousses Serapias vomeracea Ploughshare Serapias Nr Montpelier

Poaceae Grass Family Arundo donax Giant Reed Brachypodium sylvaticum False Brome Briza media Quaking Grass Briza minor Small Quaking Grass

France - The Cevennes Tour Report

Scientific name Common name Location

Dactylis glomerata Cocksfoot Festuca vivipara Viviperous fescue Hordeum murinum Wall Barley Melica uniflora Wood Melick Poa annua Annual Meadow-grass Poa bulbosa Bulbous Meadow Grass Poa nemoralis Wood Meadow-grass Poa trivialis Rough Meadow-grass Sesleria caerulea Blue Moor Grass Stipa pennata -

Xanthorrhoeaceae / Asphodelaceae Asphodel Family Asphodelus albus White Asphodel Seen occasionally

Birds (✓=recorded but not counted; H = heard only) I = Introduced May Common name Scientific name 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 1 Red-legged Partridge - I Alectoris rufa 2 2 2 Common Quail Coturnix coturnix H 3 Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus ✓ 4 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 3+nests 1 3 ✓ 5 Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus 50 ✓ 2 ✓ ✓ ✓ 6 Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus 1 7 Short-toed Snake Eagle Circaetus gallicus 2 2 4 8 Black Kite Milvus migrans 2 1 2 1 1 ✓ 9 Common Buzzard Buteo buteo 1 1 2 2 ✓ 10 Eurasian Stone-curlew Burhinus oedicnemus 1 11 Rock Dove Columba livia ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 12 Common Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus 1 1 1 1 13 Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto ✓ ✓ ✓ 1 ✓ ✓ ✓ 14 Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus H H H 1 H ✓ ✓ ✓ 15 Tawny Owl Strix aluco H H 16 Common Swift Apus apus ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 17 Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops 1 1 H 18 Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major ✓ 19 European Green Woodpecker Picus viridis H H H 20 Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 2 1 1 1 ✓ 21 Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio 5 3 1 ✓ 22 Iberian Grey Shrike Lanius meridionalis 1 1 23 Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius ✓ ✓ 1 1 1 1 1 24 Eurasian Magpie Pica pica ✓ 1 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 25 Red-billed Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax 4 ✓ 26 Western Jackdaw Coloeus monedula ✓ H ✓ 27 Carrion Crow Corvus corone ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 28 Northern Raven Corvus corax 2 2 1 ✓ ✓ 29 Coal Tit Periparus ater 1 H 30 European Crested Tit Lophophanes cristatus 1 31 Eurasian Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus 1 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 32 Great Tit Parus major ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 33 Woodlark Lullula arborea H 1 H H ✓ 34 Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis 2 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

France - The Cevennes Tour Report

I = Introduced May Common name Scientific name 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 35 Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 36 Eurasian Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris ✓ ✓ ✓ 37 Common House Martin Delichon urbicum ✓ ✓ ✓ 38 Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus 1 2 39 Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita 2H H 1 40 Western Bonelli's Warbler Phylloscopus bonelli 1 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 41 Eurasian Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla H H ✓ ✓ H 42 Common Whitethroat Sylvia communis 5 2 ✓ H ✓ 43 Common Firecrest Regulus ignicapilla 1 1 44 Goldcrest Regulus regulus H 1 45 Eurasian Wren Troglodytes troglodytes H H 46 Eurasian Nuthatch Sitta europaea 2 1 47 Short-toed Treecreeper Certhia brachydactyla H 1 48 Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris ✓ 1 2 ✓ ✓ 49 Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus 2 50 Common Blackbird Turdus merula ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 51 Song Thrush Turdus philomelos H ✓ H H 52 Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus 1 2 1 1 1 53 European Robin Erithacus rubecula 1 ✓ ✓ ✓ H H ✓ 54 Common Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos H H H H H H H H 55 Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros 5 ✓ ✓ ✓ 3 ✓ ✓ 56 Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus H 1 57 Common Rock Thrush Monticola saxatilis 3 58 Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius 1 1 59 European Stonechat Saxicola rubicola ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 60 Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe 2 1 ✓ 61 White-throated Dipper Cinclus cinclus 2 1 62 House Sparrow Passer domesticus ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 63 Rock Sparrow Petronia petronia 1 64 Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea 1 ✓ 1 1 65 White Wagtail Motacilla alba 2 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 66 Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris 1 67 Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis 2 ✓ H 68 Common Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 69 European Greenfinch Chloris chloris 1 70 Common Linnet Linaria cannabina ✓ 3 ✓ ✓ 71 European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 72 European Serin Serinus serinus 2 H 2 1 73 Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella 12 1 1 ✓ ✓ ✓ 74 Rock Bunting Emberiza cia 1 75 Ortolan Bunting Emberiza hortulana H

Mammals 1 Common Pipistrelle Pipistrellus pipistrellus 1 1 2 Daubenton's Bat Myotis daubentonii ✓ 3 Serotine Bat Eptesicus serotinus 1 4 Nathusius' Pipistrelle Pipistrellus nathusii ✓ 5 Kuhl's Pipistrelle Pipistrellus kuhlii 1  6 Soprano Pipistrelle Pipistrellus pygmaeus ✓ ✓ ✓ 7 Savi's Pipistrelle Hypsugo savii 1 1 8 Lesser Noctule or Leisler's bat Nyctalus leisleri ✓ ✓

France - The Cevennes Tour Report

I = Introduced May Common name Scientific name 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 9 Common Noctule, Nyctalus noctula 1 10 Whiskered Bat Myotis mystacinus ✓ 11 Greater Horseshoe Bat Rhinolophus ferrumequinum 1 12 Greater Noctule Bat Nyctalus lasiopterus ✓ 13 Brown Hare Lepus europeaus 1 14 Przewalski's Horse Equus ferus przewalskii 11

Amphibians & Reptiles: 1 Common Wall Lizard Podarcis muralis 1 1 1

Butterflies Dingy Skipper Erynnis tages 1 Red-underwing Skipper Spialia sertorius ✓ Grizzled Skipper Pyrgus malvae 1 Scarce Swallowtail Iphiclides podalirius 1 1 Black-veined White Aporia crataegi 1 Small White Pieris rapae ✓ Orange Tip Anthocharis cardamines 1 1 Berger’s Clouded Yellow Colias alfacariensis 1 ✓ Clouded Yellow Colias crocea 1 Brimstone Gonepteryx rhamni ✓ Green Hairstreak Callophrys rubi 1 Small Copper Lycaena phlaeus 1 Green-underside Blue Glaucopsyche alexis 1 Baton Blue Pseudophilotes baton 1 Small Tortoiseshell Aglais urticae 1 1 Glanville Fritillary Melitaea cinxia 1 Knapweed Fritillary Melitaea phoebe 1 1 Pearl-bordered Fritillary Boloria euphrosyne 1 Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria 1 Wall Brown Lasiommata megera 1 ✓ Small Heath Coenonympha pamphilus 1 1 1

Moths Chimney Sweeper Odezia atrata 1 Speckled Yellow Pseudopanthera maculina 1

Other Invertebrates Violet Carpenter Bee Xylocopa violacea 1 A Burnet moth Zygaena sp. 1 an Ascalaphid Libelloides longicornis ✓ Dor Beetle Geotrupes stercorarius 1

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France - The Cevennes Tour Report

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Bird's nest Orchid 'Molly' (Molopospermum pelopennesiacum)