The Cevennes

France - The Cevennes

Naturetrek Tour Report 16 - 23 May 2018

Short-toed Snake Eagle Botanising on the Causse Mejean

View down into Tarn Gorge near Saint Enimie Little Blue butterflies at edge of River Tarn

Report and images by Jenny & John 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 (Tour leaders) and 14 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. As we ascended the Corniche de Cevennes on our arrival day 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 was better than the early forecast had suggested, indeed there had been snow on the Causse Mejean only a few days earlier, and even on the notorious Mont Aigoul we had sunshine but it was not quite clear enough for the promised views to the Camargue, the Alps and the Pyrenees. Orchid species were prolific, with drifts of the red and yellow Elder-flowered Orchid and banks of Monkey, Lady and Military Orchids in profusion, and the air was rich with the scent of various broom species. Birding highlights included regular sightings of Griffon Vultures, plus Egyptian Vulture, Hobby, Northern Goshawk, and migrating Honey Buzzards. Crag Martins, Serins and Black Redstarts were common around the hotel and we had regular sightings of Red-backed Shrikes and the constant sound of Nightingales and Cuckoos.

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

Day 1 Wednesday 16th May

Arrive Montpellier, drive to Cocures along the Corniche de Cevennes The flight made good time and, as John and Jenny already 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 dalechampei), 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 our first close look at the flowers and plants. We found Meadow Saxifrage, Snow-in-Summer, Rock Soapwort, Italian Catchfly, White Rockrose and the white flowered Pyrenean Flax. A Greater Butterfly Orchid (Platanthera chlorantha) and a few spikes of Early Purple Orchids (Orchis mascula) were also seen. Many areas were a mass of wildflower colour including a meadow of Poet’s Narcissi (N. poeticus), all to be discovered on subsequent days. We descended into the Tarnon Valley, bypassed Florac and headed for Cocures and our hotel. Anthony and Liz joined us, having travelled independently to Cocures, and after a drink at the bar we enjoyed the first of many delicious meals.

France - The Cevennes Tour Report

Day 2 Thursday 17th 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 ssp molinerii), the diminutive plants Annual Knawel and Trinia glauca, Cyprus Spurge, Pignut, Pyrenean Broom, Tassle Hyacinth, Star-of-Bethlehem, Thick-leaved Stonecrop, Alpine Plantain and spikes of Thyme Broomrape (Orobanche alba). Western Bonelli’s Warbler, Cuckoo and a distant Nightingale could be heard. No Dipper was seen on the river today but a Grey Heron flew up the valley.

Our first stop after breakfast was at the supermarket in Florac for our picnic provisions. John had suggested to those waiting by the vans to keep an eye on the cliffs above for Griffon Vultures but instead they had a brilliant spectacle of two groups of migrating Honey Buzzards circling high above the supermarket. After such a 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. As we walked through the hamlet a Nuthatch could be heard calling from a large Sycamore but it was hiding in the lush new leaves. The weather was cool and windy and we had views west across to the Causse Mejean, south towards Mont Aigoul and north-east to Mont Lozere. As we looked north several Griffon Vultures passed over us, A Cirl Bunting was singing nearby and we also saw Serins and a Black Kite. Plants found were Swallow-wort, Common and Hoary Rockrose, Yellow Rattle, 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 Rue-leaved saxifrage, Ivy-leaved Toadflax, Maidenhair Spleenwort, Wall Rue, Rusty Back Fern and Brittle Bladder Fern.

We drove a little further south up to the Col de Rey, where we explored 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. Also Early Purple, Green-winged Orchids and the tiny Burnt Tip Orchid. Other plants included Grape Hyacinth, Salsify, the silvery-foliaged Mountain Kidney Vetch, False Vetch, Pyramidal Bugle, 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 50cms across), can be seen pinned to doors in some of the villages where various myths are attached to it. Skylarks and a Woodlark sang and another three Honey Buzzards passed over us heading north. We had good views of a male Red-backed Shrike and then we heard two groups of Bee-eaters, the first, a larger group, going by the sound, were high and frustratingly we could not see them, the second group consisted of three which although high we did see, again moving northwards. 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 many spikes of the endemic Aymonin's Ophrys and Twayblade. The nearby meadow was studded with Early Purple and Elder-flowered Orchids (in both its colour forms) and a few small spikes of Frog Orchid. Some of the Early Purple Orchids were huge spikes. A Firecrest and Western Bonelli’s Warbler sang from the pines and in the distance a Mistle Thrush was heard. There were more Honey Buzzards overhead and a close Cuckoo. A large Green Lizard was spotted and we tried to catch up with some fast flying large Fritillary butterflies - probably Silver-washed.

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France - The Cevennes Tour Report

We ate our picnic, in the breezy sunshine, from a huge stone table and seats but we had to hang onto our crisps! Moving up to the Can de l'Hospitalet (Can means small causse), we stopped at the field of Poet’s Narcissi to take photos and 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, the purple Cevennes Pasque Flower (Pulsatilla rubra ssp rubra) and the dainty gold petalled Wild Tulip. In a dip in the landscape 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. More Honey Buzzards flew over along with a Red Kite and Hobby, Yellowhammers, more Woodlarks, and Red-backed Shrikes were seen and as we returned to the vehicles we watched a Black Kite harassing a Red Kite for a several minutes.

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 more spikes of the Cevennes Pasque Flower with its fluffy seed heads, Tuberous Valerian, Mountain Pansy, Heath Dog Violet with its pale spur, Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum angustifolium), Green-winged Orchid and more Burnt-tip Orchid. Further along the road several more Red-backed Shrikes were seen - it was looking as though this year was going to be particularly good for this species.

We then headed back towards Cocures, stopping to look at Sword-leaved Helleborine on the grassy verge, and many more were seen in the woods below the road. Just before Florac we stopped at an attractive bridge over the Tarnon. Looking from the bridge we had White and Grey Wagtail and some had a fleeting view of a Dipper speeding past. Clinging to the stonework was the attractive French Figwort, Ivy-leaved Toadflax and Soft Snapdragon with its cream flowers.

Day 3 Friday 18th May

Gorge du Tarn, St Enemie, Causse Mejean 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.

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 river bank. The sun was out and it was warm which brought out a few Butterflies: Clouded Yellows, Orange Tips and small Fritillaries. A Grey Wagtail was at the edge of the river and Crag Martins hunted insects overhead. Plants included the shrubby Scorpion Vetch, Yellow Archangel and Lamium garganicum ssp laevigatum. Further on, a trail in the grass and through a fence illustrated where Beavers had travelled from the river to reach the lush pastures.

We drove further on downstream admiring numerous roadside flowers including Common Snapdragon, Red Valerian, Blue Lettuce, Blue Flax, 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 (S. cebennensis), Chaenorrhinum origanifolium , Pyrenean Toadflax and Harebell (Campanula

France - The Cevennes Tour Report

rotundifolia). We followed the footpath through the village, past the communal bread oven where a previous year’s group sheltered from the cold! But no need today. We crossed the stream and took the path along the river through the old village garden terraces, now long deserted and overgrown, which were good for butterflies, Blackcaps, and Western Bonelli's Warblers. In the shady woods we found spikes of the saprophytic Violet Limodore (L. arbortivum) – not quite in flower, Swallow-wort, White Bryony, Wild Madder, Twayblade, Solomon’s Seal, Butchers Broom, Spiked Rampion, Western Cranesbill, Wood Spurge (Euphorbia amygdaloides), Narrow-leaved Bittercress, Wild Garlic and Bastard Balm. A short foray into a small meadow on the edge of the wood was very productive for butterflies, Ascalaphids and a Hummingbird Hawkmoth. Plants included good spikes of Man Orchid, the yellow Linum campanulatum, White Rockrose, Nice Milkwort and White Helleborine. We enjoyed the warm sunshine in the dense tree clad valley and by the river where numerous Little Blues were seeking out the salts in the flood debris at the edge.

We ate our picnic by the river, some sitting on the water’s edge and some even having a paddle! We were watched by a Red Kite that flew down the valley. Picnic done we moved on, enjoying the stunning views of the gorge as we headed for St. Enimie, where we stopped for coffee and postcards. We split up to explore the town, with Lynne and Colin having the bonus of watching two Dippers up a side stream. Then it was back in the vans and across the narrow humpback bridge and the scenic switchback road up to the Causse Mejean. Near the top we stopped at a viewpoint to admire the spectacular view looking back down into the deep Tarn Gorge.

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 roadside stop was to check a scarlet patch in a cereal field. This was a dense patch of Pheasant Eye (Adonis flammea), but we also found Shepherd’s Needle, Corn Gromwell, Tufted Vetch, Common Sainfoin, Blue Pimpernel, Corn Buttercup and Field Pansy. It was good to see an unsprayed crop – many of these plants would have been common in cereal fields in the UK in the past. As we looked a Quail was heard.

At another stop we watched a hunting Short-toed Eagle, a Buzzard then two Hobbies engaged in a spectacular aerial dogfight. Another stop was for another Short-toed Eagle and several more Red-backed Shrikes.

On a grassy plateau further on we found Yellow Pheasant’s Eye, groups of Early Purple Orchids, many Aymonin's and Early Spider Orchids (Ophrys sphegodes/aranifera). Shrubs and trees included Yew, Holm Oak, Prickly Juniper, Mountain Ash, Whitebeam, Amelanchier and large areas of Box scrub.

From the wide spacious landscape of the Causse Mejean we reached the top of the switchback road down to Florac, just as it started to rain and we continued our drive back to the hotel.

Day 4 Saturday 19th May

Le Pont de Montvert, Mont Lozere, Les Bondons On a bright morning 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, the delicate St Bernard’s Lily (Anthericum liliago), Greater Butterfly

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France - The Cevennes Tour Report

Orchid and banks of the handsome umbellifer, 'Molly' (Molopospermum pelopennesiacum) 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 16 tarts! He was also amused that we were not at home in the UK watching the Royal Wedding!

Crag Martins, Swifts and Swallows hunted insects over the rushing River Tarn. Once we had extricated ourselves and the vehicles from the town, we headed for Mont Lozere. Higher up we saw Whitethroats, Stonechats and our first Northern Wheatears.

At Col de Finiels we explored the footpath towards the summit. It was a cool but sunny day and we enjoyed the drifts of Wild Daffodil and small clumps of Mountain Everlasting growing amongst the bilberry and, near the edge of the forest, a mass of White Crocus. Northern Wheatears, Stonechats and some stunning Green Hairstreak butterflies were seen in the open moorland around us – were they jade or emerald green? At the forest edge a singing Ring Ouzel was a good bird to find.

We then moved the vehicles onto a forest track to get out of the wind to have our picnic but loomimg black clouds and nearby thunder curtailed our lunch and the tarts had to wait for later. We did have time however to hear Coal and Crested Tit calling from the surrounding pines

We then started our return journey to Cocures, back through Le Pont de Montvert and onto the turning up onto the 'Circuit des Menhirs'.

Firstly we stopped to look a wet flush on the bank where we found Heath Spotted Orchids and Marsh Marigold. Our next stop was to admire an extensive hillside of 'Molly', and in the sunshine, we could enjoy our patisserie! Birds included Common Buzzard, Honey Buzzards, Yellowhammer and Green Woodpecker. Later as we started our descent a female Montagu’s Harrier was spotted.

The Circuit took us along a high route leading to an area of prehistoric standing stones (menhirs). From the top we had a good view of the strange conical marl hills near Les Bondons.

Our appreciation of the lovely lush valley down to Cocures was a bit spoilt by torrential rain.

Day 5 Sunday 20th 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 (Asplenium adiantum-nigram, A. trichomanes, A. septentrionale, A. ruta-muraria) and Rusty-back Fern (Ceterach officinarum). We also found Daisy-leaved Toadflax with its tiny blue flowers, Mountain Dog Daisy, Pectinate Knapweed and the fleshy leaves of Orpine – yet to flower.

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

France - The Cevennes Tour Report

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 is scattered with settlements, areas of planted pine and the open areas are dotted with box, juniper and windswept Amelanchier. This provides a varied and rich landscape for the naturalist and it is 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 Wheatears, Red-backed Shrikes and a Tawny Pipit. Then a fast moving large accipiter, being mobbed by two crows, rapidly passed us - a Goshawk.

We stopped for coffee nearby at the Auberge at Nivoliers where there is housing for your horse or donkey should you choose to emulate Robert Louis Stevenson who recorded his journey “On a Donkey through the Cevennes” before writing his more famous novels. Two Nightingales sang as we sat in the garden and watched Griffon Vultures and a Golden and then a Short-toed Eagle soaring above us.

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. There were more Red-backed Shrikes, Grizzled Skipper and Little Blue butterflies

After crossing the Causse Mejean we 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 Helichrysum stoechas, the purple-pink Pyrenean Vetch, Fairy Foxglove, Yellow Woundwort, Blue Aphyllanthes, Common Globularia, Laserpitium siler and Sword-leaved Helleborine. It was getting hot and butterflies were getting active including Scarce Swallowtail, Orange-tips and Blues – both Little and Adonis. Western Bonelli's Warblers sang from the trees above and we saw a nearly fledged young Griffon Vulture on its cliff ledge nest.

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. Firstly we had our picnic on the balcony of the little cafe opposite the centre.

In the centre we enjoyed the excellent interpretation displays and viewing platforms and had the added bonus this year of a view on the far side of the gorge of a Black Vulture on its large tree nest and an Egyptian Vulture flying out from the cliff.

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 Orchids, a few Passiontide and Small Spider Orchids but the rain shortened our visit here.

We made our return to Florac and Cocures via Meyreuis and the Col de Perjuret.

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France - The Cevennes Tour Report

Day 6 Monday 21st May

Mont Aigoual After a pre-breakfast walk down to the edge of the River Tarn, to the accompaniment of Firecrest and Western Bonelli’s Warbler, we met early bird Blair who, minutes before we arrived, had a fleeting view of a largish dark animal rapidly moving down to the water from the top of a riverside rock, an Otter perhaps?

Today we headed for Mont Aigoual, the wettest and windiest place in the area, if not the whole of France! The area can have 2 metres of rain a year! On our way to the top, our first roadside stop was to look for orchids on a grassy bank below the dramatic southern rocky edge of the Causse Mejean. Despite the site being a bit overgrown we found groups of Lady and Military Orchids and their hybrids. Above us on the cliff ledges were masses of White Asphodel and on the roadside Fly Honeysuckle, Blue Gromwell and the delicate St Bernard’s Lily. Numerous Griffon Vultures glided along the edge of the escarpment above us plus an immature Bearded Vulture, one of the birds from the re-introduction programme recently started in the Cevenne. We also saw two Honey Buzzards, a Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, and Chough. We stopped again to explore a meadow at the Col de Perjeret, where there were many Military Orchids, a few Lady Orchids, also Small Spider and possibly Passiontide Ophrys, Twayblade and many spikes of the unusual fern Common Adders Tongue. Looking back along the edge of the escarpment the now rather distant Bearded Vulture was watched as it dropped a couple of times an object (bone?) and then descending to the ground itself presumably to investigate?

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 chestnut and also bright 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. It was hazy so the 360 degree view was unfortunately a little restricted today. We then took a walk to a managed peak where the trees have been cleared to encourage butterfly friendly plants – particularly for the Apollo Butterfly. Our path took us to the edge which gave us views over the rolling landscape. We found the little orange Wild Tulip (Tulipa sylvestris ssp australis) at our feet. Tree Pipits sang around us as we walked and a couple of Rock Buntings were seen.

After this we headed away from the observatory and the busy carpark. As it was a cool blustery day we moved away from 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 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. Two displaying Short-toed Eagles performed for us as we ate lunch. We then continued on down through this beautiful valley through the hamlet of Massevaques – a favourite holiday place for the late President Mitterand. Again the verges were rich and colourful – plants included the bright pink Carline-leaved Thistle, Mountain Cornflower, Spring Vetchling, Blue Gromwell, Pyramidal Bugle, Lady's Smock, Nottingham Catchfly and Rock and Hoary Cinquefoil.

France - The Cevennes Tour Report

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 - and it also lies at the junction of the ancient transhumance (the movement of sheep for seasonal grazing) routes between the Languedoc and the Auvergne.

Day 7 Tuesday 22nd May

Vebron, Nimes-le-Vieux, Hures, Nivoliers Some took a pre-breakfast walk down to the river below the timber-yard where a Dipper obliged by sitting for a long time on a rock in the river. The rocky riverside was white with Mountain Dog Daisy, we also found Brittle Bladder Fern and Dark Mullien.

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 Viper’s Bugloss. Other plants included Bastard Balm, various rockroses and vetches and several specimens of the Broad-leafed Sermoutain. 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 Tip Orchid. It was warm and sunny with several butterflies on the wing and numerous Blackbirds sang in the valley below us. Cuckoo and Great Spotted Woodpeckers called and a Hobby passed overhead. It was hard to leave the many riches of this lovely by-road.

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 and another immature Bearded Vulture - a different bird to yesterdays.

While the weather looked fine we 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.

The turf between the rocks has the appearance of a rock garden with various species of orchid, Alpine Fleabane, Three-leaved Valerian, the yellow flowered Crested Lousewort, Common and Hoary Rockrose 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 a crag-top bird - a Common Rockthrush and three Rock Sparrows.

Our picnic location was a rocky layby which provided some hard seats but good views! We were hoping for another view of the Bearded Vulture but we had to be content with another Hobby and as we left we heard the song of an Orphean Warbler.

We then did a leisurely perambulation of the southern edge of the Causse stopping occasionally for more Red- backed Shrikes, and a female Montagu’s Harrier and just before Nivoliers we managed to locate the Przewalski's horses- eight at the top of their enclosure a mile or so away. Near the aerodrome another female Montagu’s

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France - The Cevennes Tour Report

Harrier was hunting over the arable fields. Heading back towards Florac, the rain which we had luckily avoided up to now, began and accompanied us all the way back to Cocures.

Day 8 Wednesday 23rd May

Return to Montpellier for flight to Gatwick It was a beautiful sunny morning and we 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 Wood Anemones, Rock Cinquefoil, Common Aquilegia, Foxglove, Male, Scaly Male and Lady Ferns and lovely spikes of Greater Butterfly Orchid. We saw a Grey Wagtail down at the edge of the river and fleeting glimpses of a Dipper as it shot upstream then back down.

Then back to the hotel to finish packing and load the vans. We said farewell to Liz and Anthony, who were staying on in the area in their campervan, and also said farewell to our host Pierrette, before heading for the Corniche des Cevennes. Past Florac, we passed the field of Poet’s Narcissi, many of which were still in bloom, past an all too short a view of a male harrier and then on southwards with the green vistas of the Cevennes on each side, as stunning as ever, as we headed south on the Corniche. The roadside flora 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 also passed a few flowering spikes of Lizard Orchid and a group of Serapia vomeracea, but sadly not where we could stop. Then onwards to the busy Montpellier and the flight home to the UK.

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France - The Cevennes Tour Report

Species Lists

Plants (* = 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 ruta-muraria Wall Rue Seen widely Asplenium septentrionale Forked Spleenwort Seen regularly Asplenium trichomanes Maidenhair Spleenwort “ Ceterach officinarum Rusty-back “

Dennstaedtiaceae Bracken Family Pteridium aquilinum Bracken “

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 cambricum Southern Polypody Seen regularly Polypodium vulgare Common Polypody “

Woodsiaceae Lady Fern Family Athyrium filix-femina Lady Fern Cocures Cystopteris fragilis Brittle Bladder Fern “

PINOPSIDA (Gymnosperms) CONIFERS

Cupressaceae Juniper Family Juniperus oxycedrus Prickly Juniper Causse Mejean Juniperus phoenicea Phoenician Juniper Seen regularly

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

Taxaceae Yew Family Taxus baccata Yew Seen widely

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France - The Cevennes Tour Report

Scientific name Common name Location

MAGNOLIOPSIDA (Angiosperms) FLOWERING PLANTS Magnoliidae (Dicotyledons)

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

Apiaceae Carrot Family Anthriscus sylvestris Cow Parsley Widespread Athamantha cretensis Athamantha Gorge du Tarn Conopodium majus Pignut “ Eryngium campestre Field Eryngo “ Foeniculum vulgare Fennel St Jean du Gard Heracleum sphondylium subsp. sibiricum Hogweed (yellow flowered) Seen occasionally Laserpitium siler A Sermountain Seen widely, Cocures Meum athamanticum Spignel Seen regularly Molopospermum pelopennesiacum Molopospermum (Molly) Seen regularly Sanicula europaea Sanicle “ Scandix pecten-veneris Shepherd's Needle Causse mejean Trinia glauca Honewort Seen regularly (tiny)

Aralaceae Ivy Family Hedera helix Ivy Common

Aquifoliaceae Holly Family Ilex aquifolium Holly Seen occasionally

Aristolochiaceae Birthwort Family Aristolochia clematitis Birthwort Castelbouc, not in flower

Ascepliadaceae Milkweed Family Vincetoxicum hirundinaria Swallow-wort Seen widely

Asteraceae Daisy Family Andryala integrifolia Andryala Cocures Antennaria dioica Cat's Foot Mont Lozere Anthemis creticus Mountain Dog-daisy Cocures Aster alpinus subsp. cevennensis* Alpine Aster Nimes le Vieux Bellis perennis Daisy Seen occasionally Carduncellus mitissimus Cardoncelle Road above Vebron Carduus carlinifolius Carline-leaved Thistle Roadsides Carlina acanthifolia ssp acanthifolia Acanthus-leaved C. Thistle Cardabelle, Seedheads only Centaurea cyanus Cornflower Seen occasionally Centaurea pectinata Pectinate Knapweed Cocures Cichorium intybus Chicory Seen occasionally Cirsium palustris Marsh Thistle “ Filago vulgaris Common Cudweed Seen occasionally Helichrysum stoechas Curry Plant “ Hieracium alpinum agg Alpine Hawkweed Leaves only, Mont Aigoual Hypochoeris maculata Spotted Cat's Ear Seen regularly Lactuca perennis Blue Lettuce Seen widely Lapsana communis Nipplewort “

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Scientific name Common name Location

Leucanthemopsis alpina Alpine Moon Daisy Nimes le Vieux Leucanthemum atratum Saw-leaved Moon Daisy Cocures Scorzonera humilis Blue Viper's Grass Seen occasionally Senecio integrifolius Field Fleawort Mont Aigoual Tragopogon hybridum - Seen occasionally -pink flowers Tragopogon pratensis Goatsbeard Seen widely Tussilago farfara Coltsfoot Leaves only Urospermum dalechampei Urospermum Roadsides nr Montpellier

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

Boraginaceae Borage Family Echium vulgare Vipers Bugloss Seen widely Lithospermum arvensis Corn Gromwell Causse Mejean Lithospermum purpurocaerulea Blue Gromwell Col de Perjeret Myosotis arvensis Field Forget-me-not Seen occasionally Myosotis sylvatica Wood Forget-me-not Road above Vebron Onosma fastigiatum Golden Drops Seen occasionally Symphytum tuberosum Tuberous Comfrey “

Brassicaceae Cabbage Family Aethionema saxatile Burnt Candytuft Seen occasionally Arabis glabra Tower Mustard “ Arabis hirsuta Hairy Rock-cress Cocures Arabis turrita Tower Cress Seen occasionally Cardamine impatiens Narrow-leaved Bittercress Castlebouc Cardamine pratensis Lady's Smock “ Capsella bursa-pastoris Shepherd's Purse “ Iberis saxatalis Candytuft Seen occasionally Isatis tinctoria Woad Seen regularly Kernera saxatilis Kernera Nimes le Vieux Lunaria annua Honesty Seen occasionally Sisymbrium officinale Hedge Mustard “ Teesdalia nudicaulis Shepherd's-cress “ Sinapsis arvensis Charlock “ Sysimbrium austriacum Austrian Rocket

Buxaceae Box Family Buxus sempervirens Box Widely seen especially on Causse Mejean

Campanulaceae Bellflower Family Campanula rapunculoides Creeping Bellflower Cocures Campanula rotundifolia Harebell Castelbouc Phyteuma spicatum Spiked Rampion Castelbouc, Cocures

Cannabaceae Hop Family Humulus lupulus Hop Seen regularly

Caprifoliaceae Honeysuckle Family Lonicera periclymenum Honeysuckle Seen regularly

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France - The Cevennes Tour Report

Scientific name Common name Location

Lonicera xylosteum Fly Honeysuckle Col de Perjeret Sambucus nigra Elder Seen regularly Viburnum lantana Wayfaring Tree “

Caryophyllaceae Pink Family Cerastium fontanum Common Mouse-ear Seen occasionally Cerastium lineare Narrow-leaved Mouse-ear “ Cerastium tormentosum Snow in Summer Seen regularly Dianthus sylvestris Wood Pink Lychnis flos-cuculi Ragged Robin Lychnis viscaria Sticky Catchfly Seen widely Saponaria ocymoides Rock Soapwort Widely seen Scleranthus perennis Annual Knawel “, tiny plant Silene conica Sand Catchfly Seen occasionally Silene dioica Red Campion “ Silene italica Italian Cattchfly “ Silene latifolia White Campion Seen regularly Silene nutans Nottingham Catchfly “ Silene otites Spanish Catchflly “ Silene saxifraga Tufted Catchfly Cocures, nr river Silene vulgaris Bladder Campion Seen regularly Stellaria holostea Greater Stitchwort “ Stellaria media Chickweed “ Stellaria nemorum Wood Stitchwort Castlebouc

Celastraceae Spindle Family Euonymus europaeus Spindle Tree Seen regularly

Cistaceae Cistus Family Cystus salvifolious Sage-leaved Cistus Nr Montpelier Helianthemum apenninum White Rockrose Seen regularly Helianthemum nummularium Common Rockrose “ H. oelandicum subsp. canum Hoary Rockrose “

Convolvulaceae Bindweed family Convolvulus arvensis Field Bindweed Seen regularly Convolvulus cantabrica Pink Convulvulus Nr Montpelier

Cornaceae Dogwood Family Cornus mas Cornelian Cherry Seen occasionally Cornus sanguinea Common Dogwood “

Crassulaceae Stonecrop Family Sedum album White Stonecrop Seen regularly Sedum anglicum English Stonecrop “ Sedum dasyphyllum Thick-leaved Stonecrop “ Sedum rupestre Rock Stonecrop Cocures Sedum telephium Orpine “ Umbilicus rupestris Wall Pennywort “ Sempervivum tectorum Houseleek Seen regularly

Cucurbitaceae White Bryony Family Bryonia cretica White Bryony Seen occasionally

France - The Cevennes Tour Report

Scientific name Common name Location

Dipsacaceae Scabious Family Dipsacus fullonum Teasel Seen occasionally Knautia arvensis Field Scabious “ Knautia dipsacifolia Wood Scabious “

Ericaceae Heather Family Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Bearberry Mont Lozere Calluna vulgaris Ling Erica cinerea Bell Heather Vaccinium myrtillus Bilberry Mont Lozere

Euphorbiaceae Spurge Family Euphorbia amygdaloides Wood Spurge Castelbouc Euphorbia characias subsp. characias Mediterranean Spurge Nr Montpelier Euphorbia cyparissias Cyprus Spurge Seen widely Euphorbia helioscopia Sun Spurge “ Euphorbia seguieriana Seguier's Spurge Seen regularly Mercurialis perennis Dog's Mercury “

Fabaceae Pea Family Anthyllis montana Mountain Kidney Vetch Seen widely, especially on Causse Mejean Anthyllis vulneraria Kidney Vetch Seen regularly Astragalus monspessulanus False Vetch “ Bituminaria bituminosa Pitch Trefoil Nr Montpelier Colutea arborescens Bladder Senna Seen occasionally Cytisus purgens Pyrennean Broom Seen widely, fragrant Cytisus oromediterraneus Piorno Broom Seen widely Cytisus scoparius Common Broom “ Cytisus sessifolious Dorycnium pentaphyllum - Nr Montpelier Hippocrepis comosa Horse-shoe Vetch “ Hippocrepis emerus Scorpion Vetch Seen occasionally, shrub Laburnum anagyroides Laburnum Seen widely, naturalised Lathyrus montanus Bitter Vetch ? Lathyrus pratensis Meadow vetchling Seen occasionally Lathyrus vernus Spring Vetchling “ Lotus corniculatus Bird's-foot Trefoil “ Medicago arabica Spotted Medick Seen regularly Medicago lupulina Black Medick “ Melilotus officinalis Common Melilot “ Onobrychis viciifolia Common Sainfoin “ Robinia pseudacacia Robinia Seen widely, naturalised Spartium junceum Spanish Broom Seen widely Tetragonolobus maritimus Dragon's Teeth Cornich des Cevennes Trifolium campestre Hop Trefoil Cocures Trifolium incarnatum subsp. molinerii Crimson Clover Bi-cloured flowers Trifolium pratense Red Clover Seen regularly Trifolium repens White Clover “ Trifolium rubens Red Trefoil Planted Vicia cracca Tufted Vetch Seen regularly Vicia hirsuta Hairy Tare “ Vicia onobrychoides False Sainfoin Deep blue flowers Vicia sativa subsp. sativa Fodder Vetch “

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France - The Cevennes Tour Report

Scientific name Common name Location

Fagaceae Beech Family Castanea sativa Sweet Chestnut Seen widely, Mont Aigoual Fagus sylvatica Beech “ Quercus humilis ssp languinosa Seen widely Quercus ilex Holm/Evergreen Oak Castelbouc, planted Quercus robur Common Oak Seen occasionally

Fumariaceae Fumitory Family Fumaria muralis subsp. boraei Common Ramping Fumitory

Gentianaceae Gentian Family Gentiana lutea Great Yellow Gentian below Mont Aigoual, leaves only

Geraniaceae Geranium Family Erodium cicutarium Common Storksbill Seen regularly Geranium endressii Western Cranesbill Castelbouc Geranium lucidum Shining Cranesbill Seen regularly Geranium molle Dove's-foot Cranesbill “ Geranium pratense Meadow Cranesbill Nr Montpellier Geranium pyrenaicum Hedgerow Crane's-bill Seen widely Geranium purpureum Little Robin “ Geranium robertianum Herb Robert “ geranium sylvaticum Wood Cranesbill Castlebouc

Globulariaceae Globularia Family Globularia punctata Common Globularia Seen regularly

Grossulariaceae Gooseberry Family Ribes alpinus Mountain Currant Seen occasionally Ribes uva-crispa Wild Gooseberry “

Juglandaceae Walnut Family Juglans regia Walnut Seen widely

Lamiaceae Dead-nettle Family Acinos alpinus Alpine Calamint Seen occasionally Ajuga pyramidalis Pyramidal Bugle Seen regularly, bright blue Ajuga reptans Common Bugle Seen regularly Lamiastrum galeobdolon Yellow Archangel Seen regularly Lamium album White Dead-nettle “ Lamium amplexicaule Henbit Dead-nettle “ Lamium garganicum ssp laevigatum Gorge du Tarn Lamium purpureum Red Dead-nettle Seen regularly Melittis melissophyllum Bastard Balm “ Oreganum vulgare Oregano Seen regularly, eaten in our salad! Salvia pratensis Meadow Clary Seen regularly Stachys recta Yellow Woundwort “ Teucrium aureum Leaves only, low growing, bright green Teucrium rouyanum - Leaves only, low growing, hairy Teucrium scorodonia Wood Sage Seen regularly Thymus serpyllum Creeping Thyme “ Thymus vulgaris Thyme “

France - The Cevennes Tour Report

Scientific name Common name Location

Linaceae Flax Family Linum campanulatum Yellow Flax Seen occasionally Linum catharticum Fairy Flax “ tiny white flowers Linum leonii Blue Flax , medium blue flowers Linum narbonense Narbonne Flax Large, glossy blue flowers Linum perenne Perennial Flax small blue flowers Linum suffruticosum subsp salsoides Pyrenean Flax Pink-veined white flowers

Moraceae Fig Family Ficus carica Fig

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

Orobanchaceae Broomrape Family Orobanche lutea Yellow Broomrape Orobance rapum-genistae Greater Broomrape Cocures Orobanche alba Thyme Broomrape “

Oxalidaceae Wood Sorrel Family Oxalis acetosella Wood Sorrel Causse Noir

Papaveraceae Poppy Family Chelidonium majus Greater Celandine Seen regularly Papaver argemone Prickly Poppy “ Papaver dubium Long-headed Poppy “

Plantaginaceae Plantain Family Plantago alpina Alpine Plantain Cocures Plantago lanceolata Ribwort plantain “ Plantago major Great Plantain “ Plantago media Hoary Plantain “ Plantago sempervirens Branched Plantain “

Platanaceae Plane Family Platanus x hybrida London Plane Seen regularly

Plumbaginaceae Thrift Family Armeria alliacea Plantain-leaved Thrift Seen regularly Armeria maritima subsp alpina Mountain Thrift “

Polygalaceae Milkwort Family Polygala alpina Alpine Milkwort Nimes le Vieux Polygala comosa Tufted Milkwort Pink flowers Polygala nicaeensis Nice Milkwort Seen regularly Polygala vulgaris Common Milkwort “

Polygonaceae Knotweed Family Rumex acetosa Sorrel Seen regularly Rumex acetosella Sheep's Sorrel “

France - The Cevennes Tour Report

Scientific name Common name Location

Rumex scuatatus French Sorrel “

Primulaceae Primrose Family Primula veris Cowslip Seen widely

Ranunculaceae Buttercup Family Adonis flammea Pheasant's Eye Causse Mejean Adonis vernalis Yellow Pheasant's Eye “ Anenome nemorosa Wood Anenome seen widely Aquilegia vulgaris Common Columbine Cocures Caltha palustris Marsh Marigold Seen regularly Clematis vitalba Old Man's Beard “ Helleborus foetidus Stinking Hellebore “ Hepatica nobilis Hepatica Seen occasionally Pulsatilla rubra subsp. rubra* Cevennes Pasque Flower L'Hospitalet Pulsatilla vernalis Spring Pasque Flower Mont Lozere Ranunculus aconitifolius Aconite-leaved Buttercup Below Mont Lozere Ranunculus acris Meadow Buttercup Seen regularly Ranunculus arvensis Corn Buttercup “ Ranunculus bulbosus Bulbous Buttercup “ Ranunculus repens Creeping Buttercup “

Resedaceae Mignonette family Reseda lutea Wild Mignonette Seen occasionally Reseda leuteola Weld “ Reseda phyteuma Corn Mignonette “

Rosaceae Rose Family Alchemilla alpina Alpine lady's-mantle Leaves only, Mont Lozere Alchemilla mollis Lady's Mantle Seen occasionally Amelanchier ovalis Amelanchier Causse Mejean Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn Seen widely Filipendula ulmaria Meadowsweet Seen occasionally Frageria vesca Wild Strawberry “ Geum urbanum Herb Bennet “ Potentilla argentea Hoary Cinquefoil “ Potentilla erecta Tormentil “ Potentilla hirta Hairy Cinquefoil “ Potentilla rupestris Rock Cinquefoil White flowers, Cocures Prunus spinosa Blackthorn Seen regularly Rosa canina Dog Rose “ Rosa rubiginosa Sweet Briar Castelbouc Rubus fruticosus Bramble Rubus idaeus Raspberry Sanguisorba minor Salad Burnet Seen regularly Sorbus aria Whitebeam “ Sorbus aucuparia Mountain Ash “

Rubiaceae Bedstraw family Cruciata laevipes Crosswort Seen regularly ?Galium boreale Northern Bedstraw ?Galium megalospermum/helveticum Swiss Bedstraw Nimes le Vieux Galium mollugo Hedge Bedstraw Seen occasionally

France - The Cevennes Tour Report

Scientific name Common name Location

Rubia peregrina Wild Madder “ Sheradia arvensis Field Madder “, tiny lilac flowers

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

Saxifragaceae Saxifrage Family Saxifraga cevennensis* Cevennes Saxifrage Castelbouc Saxifraga clusii French Saxifrage Cocures Saxifraga continentalis - Cocures Saxifraga granulata Meadow Saxifrage Widespread Saxifraga hypnoides Mossy Saxifrage Cocures Saxifraga tridactylites Rue-leaved Saxifrage Seen widely, tiny plant

Scrophulariaceae Figwort Family Anarrhinum bellidifolium Daisy-leaved Toadflax Seen regularly, tiny blue flowers Antirrhinum majus Large Snapdragon “ large red flowers Asarina procumbens Creeping Snapdragon Cream flowers Chaenorhinum origanifolium Chaenorhinum Castelbouc, small flowers Cymbalaria muralis Ivy-leaved Toadflax Seen regularly Digitalis purpurea Foxglove Seen occasionally Erinus alpinus Fairy Foxglove “, tiny pink flowers Linaria supina Dwarf/Pyrennean Toadflax Castlebouc Pedicularis comosa Crested Lousewort Nimes le Vieux Rhinanthus mediterraneus Mediterranean Rattle Seen regularly Rhinanthus minor Yellow Rattle “ Scrophularia canina Alpine/French Figwort “ Verbascum nigra Dark Mullein “ Veronica alpina Alpine Speedwell “ Veronica chamaedrys Germander Speedwell “ Veronica cymbalaria Cymbalaria-leaved Speedwell “ Veronica persica Common Speedwell “ Veronica ponae Spiked Pyrennean Speedwell Veronica spicata Spiked Speedwell “

Thymelaceae Daphne Family Daphne cneorum Garland Flower Nimes le Vieux

Tiliaceae Lime Family Tilia cordata Small-leaved Lime Tilia x europaea Common Lime Tilia platyphyllos Large-leaved Lime

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

France - The Cevennes Tour Report

Scientific name Common name Location

Urticeae Nettle Family Parietaria judaica Pellitory-of-the-wall Seen regularly Urtica dioica Nettle “

Valerianaceae Valerian Family Centranthus ruber Red Valerian Widespread, roadsides Valeriana officianalis Common Valerian Seen occasionally Valeriana tripteris Three-leaved Valerian “ Valeriana tuberosa Tuberous Valerian “ Valerianella locusta Corn Salad “

Violaceae Violet Family Viola arvensis Field Pansy Seen regularly Viola canina Heath Dog Violet “ Viola lutea Mountain Pansy “ Viola palustris Bog Violet Mont Lozere Viola riviniana Common Dog violet Seen regularly Viola tricolor agg. Heart's-ease “

Liliidae (Monocotyledons)

Cyperaceae Sedge Family Carex pendula Drooping Sedge Seen regularly Carex spicata Spiked Sedge “ Eriophorum vaginatum Hare's-tail Cotton Grass “

Dioscoreaceae Yam Family Tamus communis Black Bryony “

Iridaceae Iris Family Crocus albiflorus White Spring Crocus Mont Lozere Iris pseudacorus Yellow Flag

Juncaceae Rush Family Luzula campestris Field Woodrush Luzula forsteri Southern Woodrush Luzula nivea Snowy Woodrush

Liliaceae Lily Family Allium ursinum Wild Garlic Castelbouc Anthericum liliago St Bernard's Lily Roadsides Aphyllanthes monspeliensis Blue Aphyllanthes Widespread on roadsides Asphodelus albus White Asphodel Col de Perjeret Muscari comosum Tassel Hyacinth seen regularly Muscari neglectum Grape Hyacinth “ Narcissus pseudonarcissus Wild Daffodil Mont Lozere Narcissus poeticus Pheasant's Eye Daffodil Widespread Ornithogalum angustifolium Star of Bethlehem “ Ornithogalum narbonense a Star of Bethlehem Nr Montpelier Ornithogalum umbellatum a Star of Bethlehem Polygonatum multiflorum Solomon's Seal Polygonatum odoratum Angular Solomon's-seal Ruscus aculeatus Butcher's Broom

France - The Cevennes Tour Report

Scientific name Common name Location

Tulipa sylvestris subsp. australis Wild Tulip Mont Aigoual

Orchidaceae Orchid Family Anacamptis pyramidalis Pyramidal Orchid Seen regularly Cephalanthera damasonium White Helleborine Castelbouc Cephalanthera longifolia Sword-leaved Helleborine Causse Noir Coeloglossum viride Frog Orchid Col de Perjeret Dactylorhiza fuschii Common Spotted Orchid Seen occasionally Dactylorhiza maculata Heath Spotted Orchid “ Dactylorhiza sambucina Elder-flowered Orchid Masses seen Himantoglossum hircinum Lizard Orchid Many spikes in bud, more out in the south Limodorum abortivum Violet Bird's-nest Orchid Castelbouc, above Vebron Neottia nidus-avis Bird's Nest Orchid Causse Noir Neottia ovata Twayblade seen regularly Ophrys aymonii Aymonin's Fly Orchid Seen regularly Ophrys passionis Passiontide Ophrys Causse Noir Ophrys scolopax Woodcock Ophrys Causse Noir, above Vebron Ophrys sphegodes (aranifera) Early Spider Causse Mejean Orchis anthropophora Man Orchid Seen regularly Orchis anthropophora x simia a Hybrid Orchid above Vebron Orchis coriophora Bug Orchid above Vebron Orchis mascula Early Purple Orchid Seen widely Orchis militaris Military Orchid Possibly the most common orchid seen Orchis militaris x purpurea a Hybrid Orchid Col de Rey Orchis militaris x simia a Hybrid Orchid “ Orchis morio Green-winged Orchid Seen widely Orchis purpurea Lady Orchid “ Orchis simia Monkey Orchid Col de Rey Orchis ustulata Burnt-tip Orchid seen widely Plantanthera chlorantha Greater Butterfly Orchid “ Serapias vomeracea Ploughshare Serapia Nr Montpelier

Poaceae Grass Family Arrhenatherum elatius False Oat-grass Arundo donax Giant Reed Briza minor Small Quaking Grass Dactylis glomerata Cocksfoot Festuca vivipara Viviperous fescue masses seen Hordeum murinum Wall Barley Melica uniflora Wood Melick Poa annua Annual Meadow-grass Poa bulbosa Bulbous Meadow Grass Sesleria caerulea Blue Moor Grass Stipa pennata Feather Grass Causse Mejean

Birds (=recorded but not counted; H = heard only; M = male; F = female) May Common name Scientific name 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 1 Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 1 2 Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa 1 2 3 Common Quail Coturnix coturnix H 4 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 2 1 1 2 1

France - The Cevennes Tour Report

May Common name Scientific name 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 5 Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus 1 1 6 Eurasian Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus 30  1    7 Eurasian Black Vulture Aegypius monachus  8 Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus 1 9 Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos 1 10 Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus 2 1 4  11 Red Kite Milvus milvus 3 2 1 12 Black Kite Milvus migrans 3 2   13 Montagu’s Harrier Circus pygargus 1 2F 1M? 14 Common Buzzard Buteo buteo 2 2  1  15 European Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus 40 3 2 16 Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus 2 1 1 17 Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis 1 18 Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 2  2 1 1  19 Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo 2 2 20 Stone Curlew Burhinus oedicnemus 1 21 Common Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus 4  22 Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto     23 Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus 1  H H 1 H 24 Tawny Owl Strix aluco H H H 25 Eurasian Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus H 2H 26 Common Swift Apus apus       27 Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops 1 28 European Bee-eater Merops apiaster 3+?H 29 European Green Woodpecker Picus viridis 1 1 H 30 Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major H 2 1 31 Common Skylark Alauda arvensis 3      32 Woodlark Lullula arborea  H   33 Eurasian Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris        34 Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica    1   35 Common House Martin Delichon urbica     36 Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris 2 1 37 Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis 1   38 White Wagtail Motacilla alba    1 1 39 Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea   1 40 White-throated Dipper Cinclus cinclus 1 2 1 2 41 Dunnock Prunella modularis 2 42 European Robin Erithacus rubecula H H H H H H 43 Common Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos H H H H H H 44 Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus H 45 Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros  1    1  46 Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe 1 2   47 European Stonechat Saxicola rubicola 1 1 1 1 48 Song Thrush Turdus philomelos H H H 49 Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus H  50 Common Blackbird Turdus merula        51 Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus 1 52 Common Rock Thrush Monticola saxatilis 1 53 Eurasian Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla 1       54 Common Whitethroat Sylvia communis 2 1 H 55 Western Orphean Warbler Sylvia hortensis 1+1H

France - The Cevennes Tour Report

May Common name Scientific name 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 56 Western Bonelli's Warbler Phylloscopus bonelli 1 H    57 Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita H H 58 Goldcrest Regulus regulus H 59 Common Firecrest Regulus ignicapillus 1 1 60 Eurasian Wren Troglodytes troglodytes 1 H H 61 Great Tit Parus major H 2 2  62 Coal Tit Periparus ater H 63 European Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus 1  64 Crested Tit Lophophanes cristatus 1 H H 65 Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus  66 Eurasian Nuthatch Sitta europaea 1 67 Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio 10      68 Eurasian Magpie Pica pica  1    69 Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius   1 2   70 Western Jackdaw Coloeus monedula 7   71 Red-billed Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax 1   72 Carrion Crow Corvus corone        73 Common Raven Corvus corax 2  1 74 Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris      75 House Sparrow Passer domesticus         76 Tree Sparrow Passer montanus 1 77 Rock Sparrow Petronia petronia 1 3 78 Common Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs        79 Common Linnet Carduelis cannabina   80 European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis     81 European Serin Serinus serinus 2  1 1  82 Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella 2 1 1 83 Cirl Bunting Emberiza cirlus H 84 Rock Bunting Emberiza cia 2 85 Corn Bunting Miliaria calandra H  1 1

Mammals 1 Pipistrelle bat sp.  2 Serotine bat Eptesicus serotinus ? 3 Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus 1 4 Brown Hare Lepus europeaus 1 5 Eurasian Otter Lutra lutra 1 6 Red Fox Vulpes vulpes 1 7 Przewalski's horse Equus ferus przewalskii 8

Amphibians & Reptiles 1 Western Green Lizard Lacerta bilineata 1 1 1 2 Common Wall Lizard Podarcis muralis 1 1 1 

Butterflies 1 Dingy Skipper Erynnis tages 2   2 Grizzled Skipper Pyrgus malvae 1 3 Safflower Skipper Pyrgus carthami 1 1 4 Scarce Swallowtail Iphiclides podalirius      5 Swallowtail Papilio machaon 1 

France - The Cevennes Tour Report

May Common name Scientific name 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 6 Small White Pieris rapae 1   7 Green-veined White Pieris napi  8 Orange-tip Anthocharis cardamines       9 Clouded Yellow Colias crocea   10 Brimstone Gonepteryx rhamni     1 11 Green Hairstreak Callophrys rubi 2  12 Little Blue Cupido minimus    13 Green-underside Blue Glaucopsyche alexis 1 14 Baton Blue Pseudophilotes baton 1 15 Common Blue Polyommatus icarus 1 16 Escher’s Blue Polyommatus escheri 1 17 Small Tortoiseshell Aglais urticae  18 Silver-washed Fritillary Argynnis paphia   19 Glanville Fritillary Melitaea cinxia   20 Knapweed Fritillary Melitaea phoebe 1  21 Marsh Fritillary Eurodryas aurinia  22 Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary Boloria selene  23 Weaver’s Fritillary Boloria dia 1 24 Small Heath Coenonympha pamphilus 1 

Moths 1 Latticed Heath Chiasma clathrata 2 2 Hummingbird Hawkmoth Macroglossum stellatarum 1 3 Pine Processionary Moth Thaumetopoea pitycampa     

Other Invertebrates 1 an Ascalaphid Libelloides longicornis   2 Beetle Carabus hispanus 1 3 Dungbeetle sp. 

Blue Aphyllanthes Carabus hispanus beetle