Butterflies of the Swiss Alps

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Naturetrek Tour Report 29 June - 6 July 2014

Alpine Blue Large Wall Brown

Sudetan Ringlet Red Fox

Report & images compiled by Jon Stokes

Naturetrek Cheriton Mill Cheriton Alresford Hampshire SO24 0NG England T: +44 (0)1962 733051 F: +44 (0)1962 736426 E: [email protected] W: www.naturetrek.co.uk

Tour Report Butterflies of the Swiss Alps

Tour Leader: Jon Stokes Naturetrek Naturalist

Participants: Judy Daniels Tony Daniels Sonia Anderson Matthew Gandy Yasminah Beebeejaun Rosemary Brooke Geoff Adams Margaret Adams Angela Lechner Gordon Small

Day 1 Sunday 29th June

Three quarters of the group left Heathrow and arrived in Switzerland in the rain – which was a bit of a surprise as we had left a warm and sunny London! We were joined at the airport by three more members of the group and then climbed aboard the train, which whisked us away towards our mountain destination. Four hours and a couple of changes later, we arrived in the beautiful village of Wengen. En route we had seen a couple of Black Kites and a few Great Crested Grebes on Lake Thun and our first Swiss butterfly - a Peacock from the train. Although Wengen was wet on arrival, by the time we had finished our dinner in the lovely Hotel Berghaus, the sun had managed to break out and we were presented with a beautiful double rainbow and a magnificent view of the mountains. So after dinner we went to bed, hoping for great weather and lots of butterflies!

Day 2 Monday 30th June

At breakfast on our first day in the mountains we had a covering of cloud over all the mountain tops. However with the prospect of the weather lifting, we set off for the top of the mountain which rears up behind the hotel - Männlichen. As we travelled up the hill in the cable car we could see a couple of Chamois feeding on the slopes below, before the cloud swallowed us up as we arrived on the top of the hill. The temperature on the top was a little chilly and as we began to walk, there was a fluttering of snow and a cold wind. As we walked and got accustomed to the altitude and the cold, we looked at the stunning alpine flowers that were all around our feet. Trumpet Gentian Gentiana acaulis and Mountain Pansy Viola lutea, Bird’s-eye Primrose Primula farinosa, Moss Campion Silene acaulis and Alpine Cinquefoil Potentilla crantzii were all around us along with a vast array of other alpine flowers. Overhead in the mist and snow, Water Pipits chipped their calls as they flew, then a much larger Snowfinch whisked into sight. A few decided to return to the warmer climes of Wengen, whilst the remainder of the group escaped from the snow flurries with a warm tea or hot chocolate in the mountain top restaurant.

As we finished our warm drinks the cloud began to lift, so we set off for our walk to Kleine Scheidegg. On the ground, beautiful Alpine Snowbell Soldanella alpina were flowering in patches where the winter snow had just cleared with Alpine Butterworts Pinguicula alpina and Spring Crocus Crocus vernus subsp. Albiflorus and large numbers of ‘Lackey’ Moth caterpillars which appeared to be everywhere and were probably the snout moth Malacosoma alpicolum.

Butterflies of the Swiss Alps Tour Report

Lunch was a picnic taken on top of a hill with a supporting cast of Snowfinch and our first Alpine Choughs who came for picnic scraps. Although there were no butterflies, small moths appeared in the heather every time the sun glimmered and on adjoining slopes Black Redstarts, Wheatears and Ring Ouzels were calling and often displaying.

The next leg of our journey had large numbers of Small White Orchids Pseudorchis albida, Frog Orchids Coeloglossum viride and many Alpine Pasqueflowers Pulsatilla alpina subsp. Apiifolia. On the top of the hill we spotted a small group of Chamois, but further observation revealed that there was actually a large herd of 52 individuals including about half a dozen very young animals. Matthew then caught our first butterfly of the day a Small Blue whilst Yasminah caught the most beautiful green ground beetle which was probably Carabus auronitens.

Now in the late afternoon the cold had begun to bite, so we decided to drop down the hill in the train back to Wengen. As we did so the sun came out, so on arriving back at the hotel we took a short walk up the hill beside the hotel. Here in the last warm rays of the sun we found Ringlets, a Chequered Skipper, a Meadow Brown and some Purple-edged Coppers adding hugely to our butterfly list, which now stands at 6 species.

After dinner, some of the group went out with a bat detector to see what they could find. Excitingly we found 4 species of bat - the Common Pipistrelle, some Noctules, Northern Bats and a Savi’s Pipistrelle. Then we retired to bed.

Day 3 Tuesday 1st July

In contrast to the weather yesterday, this morning was startlingly beautiful with a crystal blue sky and not a cloud in sight. In consequence we set off to Grutschalp from where we would walk to Murren. Upon arrival at the cable car station, a meadow immediately next to the station was filled with butterflies. First up was a Large Wall Brown, then False Heath Fritillaries, Heath Fritillaries, and Black Veined Whites were everywhere. The flowers were also beautiful with Round Headed Orchids Traunsteinera globosa being the highlight of the meadow. As we walked Chimney Sweeper moths were everywhere and around Wood Cranesbill Geranium sylvaticum the very beautiful Geranium Argus was in abundance. Fritillaries were abundant along our pathway and along with the 2 Heath Fritillaries we also found Pearl and Small Pearl Fritillaries, Ghost Moths and our first sighting of the Alpine Heath butterfly. Beside the path was also a superb yellow Waxcap fungus.

A stop on a bench with an astonishing view of the Eiger and Jungfrau had additional Black Kites, Serins and Nutcrackers, whilst a little later with lunch we were joined by lots of False Heath Fritillaries, many of which gathered on an animal scat on the ground seeking salt, whilst our own sweat also attracted a number of others. Orange Tips and Swallowtails were also part of the lunchtime butterfly feast whilst we also took our time to identify our second ringlet which turned out to be Bright Eyed Ringlet, one of the 19 ringlet species that live in these valleys. As we walked along the final stretch of the route to Murren, Pale Clouded Yellows and Black Veined Whites mixed with Clouded Apollo’s and Wood Whites.

From Murren we took the short train ride up to Almendhubel, at 1900 metres above sea level. At this altitude butterflies were thin on the ground but there were large numbers of ‘Lackey’ Moth caterpillars. We also found a beautiful moth – Setina aurita a high alpine moth which can only be found from 1000m – 3000m.

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Butterflies of the Swiss Alps Tour Report

We searched the flower filled hillsides covered in Greater Yellow Rattle Rhinanthus alectorolophus and Yellow Rattle Rhinanthus minor and Globe Flowers Trollius euopaeus in the hope of finding a butterfly and eventually saw a blue, which Matthew caught and we immediately identified as a stunning Alpine Blue. This then lead to a major photographic session, as fortunately it was a very cooperative individual leading to some fantastic pictures of this lovely species.

Our time in the field was now up and we set off on the train and cable car trip home and three trains and one cable car ride later, we arrived home for another of Mr. Fontana's superb dinners. After dinner we went out to look for bats and close to the hotel discovered lots of Common Pipistrelles, before retiring for a well-earned rest.

Day 4 Wednesday 2nd July

The weather had reverted to damp and cloudy today, so we set off for the Trummelbach Falls, the outflow stream for the Jungfrau and Monch Glaciers which corkscrews through the sheer limestone cliffs. Here 20,000 litres of water rush through a cave system every second and the noise and vibrations in the tunnels are astonishing.

Outside in the valley bottom as we waited for a bus, we found a few Ringlets hiding in the wet grass, and then we caught the cable car to the very pretty village of Gimmelwald. In the village the clouds were low over our heads, so we headed to the nearby valley where butterflies are known to be in abundance. En-route we found a family group of 15 Chamois but as we arrived at a good picnic spot, it began to rain lightly. As we sheltered under a tree to eat lunch we became aware of roosting butterflies in a neighbouring meadow and we were able to get superb photographs of an Apollo butterfly, one of Europe's most protected species, roosting on a Common Spotted Orchid Dactylorhiza maculate. Also present were a few Wood Whites and a False Heath Fritillary.

As the rain set in, some of the group decided to head home to the dry but others forged on into the valley and it was not wasted effort. As we walked we found more roosting Apollos and Geranium Argus along with some superb flowers including lots of Lesser Butterfly Orchids Platanthera bifolia and Birds Nest Orchids Neottia nidus- avis and a superb display of the protected Wolfsbane Aconitum vulparia. Eventually however, the rain got the better of all of us and we turned for home, but not without witnessing mating Roman Snails, a truly bizarre spectacle!

Another excellent dinner followed and then a surprise for Yasminah as it was her birthday - a chocolate birthday cake! Our final animals of the day included a Roe Deer in the meadow outside the hotel and more bats, the ubiquitous Pipistrelles being joined tonight by Northern Bats and Serotines.

Day 5 Thursday 3rd July

Continuing the one off/one on weather pattern, today dawned crystal clear, so we set off to the other side of the hill and the Grindelwald Valley which is well known for its butterflies. We arrived by train and a superb gondola ride at 2168 metres. Almost as soon as we arrived we found our next new butterfly of the trip - Mountain Green Veined White which was joined by a few Small Blue Butterflies. Here in these high pastures, the butterflies were very active and the rare Dewy Ringlets were everywhere but extremely difficult to photograph as they rushed about. A Small Apollo darted off the cliff face and was not seen again but the Marsh Fritillaries were very fresh, having probably emerged during the morning and were much easier to photograph.

Butterflies of the Swiss Alps Tour Report

Large Grizzled Skippers kept us on our toes and there were Small Blues everywhere so we had our picnic on top of a high point with a truly astonishing view of the mountains. Nesting at our feet on a rocky bluff was Snowdon Lily Lloydia serotina a true alpine plant, and around us the Dewy Ringlets were everywhere.

After lunch we walked down to a lower cable car station so we could take in a different altitudinal range of butterflies. As we descended we found a stunning Alpine Grizzled Skipper, but unfortunately it avoided Gordon's lens as it nipped away never to be seen again, but blues were everywhere. They were largely Small Blues in their thousands but every now and again Mazarine Blues joined them including one astonishing gathering of 40 or 50 mixed blues on a salty roadside. Amongst the azure blue of the Spring Gentians we then saw a new Ringlet, which needed careful study to reveal its true identity - a De Lessay's Brassy Ringlet, a rare butterfly in European terms which can be found in this valley.

Descending further down the hill, Marmots were sitting on their burrows and Small Blues became replaced by Large Blues in these amazing mountain pastures. The descent down the mountain offered one more cable car stop, so even though we only had 40 minutes before the cable car stopped running, we decided to have a quick look at this lower altitude. And it was amazing – with Titania’s Fritillaries were amazingly abundant, mixing with Purple-edged and Sooty Coppers. Large fritillaries avoided being identified, but we did find another globally rare species - the Sudeten Ringlet which is restricted to a handful of places across Europe. This cracking butterfly was joined by Lesser Mountain Ringlet another beautiful and restricted species. Then our 40 minutes were up and before we knew it we had to grab the last gondola down, wishing we had had longer in this stunning spot. Returning to the hotel via train, we popped up the hillside behind the hotel and even this produced two new species - Dark Green Fritillary and an Olive Skipper to end a stunning butterfly-filled day.

Day 6 Friday 4th July

Overcast again this morning, but the cloud base was high, so we set off for Kleine Scheidegg from where we proceeded to walk down again towards Wengen. First new butterfly of the day was a Painted Lady which was flying around in a small valley over Vanilla Orchids Nigritella rhellicani then a bog full of Broad Leaved Marsh Orchids Dactylorhiza majalis, where we found Black Mountain Moth and Netted Mountain Moth to be abundant. As we walked, the Foehn wind began to blow off the Jungfrau. This warm wind off the mountain can rage down the hill, and as we walked, it began to storm down the hill trying to blow us off our feet. This kept all the butterflies hidden in the grass so as we descended we had to look at the beautiful flower filled meadows - not a real difficulty.

We then descended down into Biglenalp where we would take lunch. En route we found more Mountain Green Veined Whites, Geranium Argus and Small Blues, along with Coralroot Orchids Coralorhiza trifida, One Flowered Wintergreens Moneses uniflora and Sooty Coppers. Appearing out into the meadows of Biglenalp we found our first Peak Whites blown down from the high ground by the Foehn and settled down to our picnic. A short walk from the picnic stop took us to an avalanche run, where Ladies Slipper Orchids Cypripedium calceolus were in full flower. These superb flowers represent one of the most sought after flower species in Europe and here on this hillside they are abundant. Around them Titania’s Fritillary, Small Blues and Sooty Coppers were flying just to add to the delight of the scene. The ascent back up to Wengenalp brought another Alpine Blue along with masses of Black Veined Whites and Mountain Green Veined Whites.

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Butterflies of the Swiss Alps Tour Report

Finally for those who still had walk left in their legs, the descent down to Wengen produced few butterflies as it had clouded up, but a look around the meadows behind the hotel at 5pm produced a stunning array of species as the sun came out to warm the hillside. Here in 'Margaret's Meadow' were Heath and False Heath Fritillaries, Titania’s and Dark Green Fritillaries, coppers by the score, Ringlets and Small Blues and then another new species for the trip - Chalkhill Blue, whose stunning blue colour lit up the evening hillside.

Day 7 Saturday 5th July

An overcast morning woke us to out last full day, but the guide decided that we would take a risk and go back to Grindelwald where we would look at Borth Cable Car station, for longer than the 20 minutes of Wednesday. Arriving in Grindelwald itself the gamble looked to be a long shot as it was raining, but by the time we had had a cup of hot chocolate the plan looked to be working. As we ascended in the gondolas the sun came out and as we arrived the butterflies began to move. Stunning!! First up Lesser Mountain Ringlets and Sudeten Ringlets, then the large fritillaries resolved themselves as Dark Green and High Brown, Titania’s Fritillaries whizzed around with coppers and basically there were butterflies everywhere. Walking up the hill, Adonis Blues became evident and Small Blues were everywhere and lunch was taken by a mountain stream and the meadows abounded with Sudeten Ringlets, Swallowtails, Bright Eyed Ringlets and Carline Skippers, a new species for the trip.

After lunch the decent to Grindelwald revealed Essex and Small Skippers playing in meadows with Silver Spotted and more Carline Skippers. Marbled Whites appeared for the first time and Chimney Sweeper moths were absolutely everywhere. New orchids came in the form of masses of Fly Orchids Orchis insectifera and moths were on the wing in all directions.

Catching the train back we arrived too late for any more butterflying, but after dinner the bats called us outside and added a new species for the trip - Whiskered Bat. At midnight, the guide recorded an Alpine Long Eared Bat flying around the hotel, a species which was only described in 2001!

Day 8 Sunday 6th July

Another stunning morning heralded our last morning and despite the fact that we had to catch a train to the airport mid morning, it gave us a few hours for butterflying on the local meadows. Here in 'Margaret's Meadow' masses of fritillaries were on the wing, as were Green Veined White a new species for the trip, plus Carline Skipper at lower elevation and then butterfly of the morning a superb Damon Blue. This became our last new species for the trip and took the butterfly count to 65 species, a fantastic haul for this butterfly filled landscape. We also recorded 73 species of moth during the trip, complied by Matthew Gandy during the trip.

Our trip home had a slight delay in Zurich airport, but even this was not wasted time as it allowed us to watch the Swiss tennis player Federer pull back from match point in the Wimbledon final to win a set, which filled the air with the cheers of the Swiss residents, however by the time we reached London he had lost! We had left the beautiful Swiss countryside for home, but not without fond memories of all the butterflies in this beautiful country…

Tour Report Butterflies of the Swiss Alps

Species List

Butterflies ( = recorded)

June/July Common name Scientific name 29 30 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 Swallowtail Papilio machaon  2 Small Apollo Parnassius phoebus    3 Apollo Parnassius apollo    4 Clouded Apollo Parnassius mnemosyne    5 Black-veined White Aporia crataegi     6 Large White Pieris brassicae    7 Small White Pieris rapae    8 Green-veined White Pieris napi  9 Mountain Green-veined White Pieris bryoniae   10 Peak White Pontia callidice  11 Orange-tip Anthocharis cardamines  12 Pale Clouded Yellow Colias hyale  13 Berger's Clouded Yellow Colias alfacariensis   14 Wood White Leptidea sinapis     15 Green Hairstreak Callophrys rubi   16 Purple-edged Copper Palaeochrysophanus hippothoe      17 Sooty Copper Lycaena tityrus    18 Small Blue Cupido minimus      19 Large Blue Maculinea arion   20 Mazerine Blue Cyaniris semiargus    21 Geranium Argus Eumedonia eumedon      22 Alpine Blue Plebejus orbitulus    23 Chalk-hill Blue Polyommatus coridon  24 Common Blue Polyommatus icarus  25 Damon Blue Polyommatus damon  26 Peacock Aglais io  27 Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta    28 Painted Lady Vanessa cardui  29 Camberwell Beauty Nymphalis antiopa  30 Small Tortoiseshell Aglais urticae     31 Comma Polygonia c-album  32 Silver Wash Fritillary Argynnis paphia   33 Dark Green Fritillary Argynnis aglaja   34 High Brown Fritillary Argynnis adippe   35 Shepherd’s Fritillary Boloria pales  36 Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary Boloria selene   37 Titania’s Fritillary Boloria titania    38 Pearl-bordered Fritillary Boloria euphrosyne    39 False Heath Fritillary Melitaea diamina    40 Heath Fritillary Melitaea athalia   41 Marsh Fritillary Euphdryas aurinia  42 Marbled White Melanargia galathea  43 Lesser Mountain Ringlet Erebia melampus   44 De Lesse’s Brassy Ringlet Erebia nivalis 

Butterflies of the Swiss Alps Tour Report

June/July Common name Scientific name 29 30 1 2 3 4 5 6 45 Bright-eyed Ringlet Erebia oeme    46 Dewy Ringlet Erebia pandrose  47 Water Ringlet Erebia pronoe  48 Sudetan Ringlet Erebia sudetica   49 Ringlet Aphantopus hyperantus       50 Meadow Brown Maniola jurtina      51 Small Heath Coenonympha pamphilus    52 Alpine Heath Coenonympha gardetta     53 Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria    54 Large Wall Brown Lasiommata maera    55 Dingy Skipper Erynnis tages   56 Large Skipper Ochlodes sylvanus   57 Essex Skipper Thymelicus lineolus  58 Grizzled Skipper Pyrgus malvae  59 Large Grizzled Skipper Pyrgus alveus  60 Alpine Grizzled Skipper Pyrgus andromedae  61 Carline Skipper Pyrgus carlinae   62 Olive Skipper Pyrgus serratulae  63 Chequered Skipper Carterocephalus palaemon  64 Small Skipper Thymelicus sylvestris   65 Silver-spotted skipper Hesperia comma 

Moth List - Courtesy of Matthew Gandy

D = Day-flying or disturbed from vegetation R = Resting on rocks and trees L = Light O = On grass stems * = Noteworthy rare or alpine species

Crambidae Anania funestris* D Catoptria conchella D Diasemia reticularis* D Pyrausta aerealis* D Pyrausta cingulata D Pyrausta despicata D Pyrausta ostrinalis D

Geometridae Biston betularia Peppered Moth L Cabera exanthemata Common Wave D Campaea margaritata Light Emerald L Charissa intermediata (cf)* R Chiasmia clathrata Latticed Heath D Chloroclysta siterata Red-green Carpet L Chloroclysta truncate Common Marbled Carpet L Cleora cinctaria Ringed Carpet L Ecliptopera silaceata Small Phoenix L Elophos dilucidaria (cf)* L Ematurga atomaria Common Heath D Entephria flavata* R Entephria infidaria* L Epirrhoe alternata Common Carpet D Eupithecia icterata Tawny-speckled Pug L Glacies quadrifaria* D Hydrelia flammeolaria Small Yellow Wave R

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Butterflies of the Swiss Alps Tour Report

Hylaea fasciaria Barred Red L Macaria liturata Tawny-barred Angle L Minoa murinata Drab Looper D Odezia atrata Chimney Sweeper D Peribatodes secundaria Feathered Beauty L Peribatodes rhomboidaria Willow Beauty L Perizoma affinitata The Rivulet L Perizoma albulata Grass Rivulet D Pseudopanthera macularia Speckled Yellow D Rheumaptera hastata Argent and Sable D Scopula ternata* Smoky Wave D Scotopteryx chenopodiata Shaded Broad-bar L Thera britannica Spruce Carpet L Xanthorhoe montanata Silver-ground Carpet D Xanthorhoe spadicearia Red Twin-spot Carpet D

Hepialidae Hepialus humuli Ghost Moth O

Lasiocampidae Malocosoma alpicola* O

Noctuidae (including Arctiinae) Abrostola asclepiadis* L Acronicta alni Alder Moth L Acronicta rumicis Knot Grass L Agrotis simplonia* L Anaplectoides prasina Green Arches L Apamea monoglypha Dark Arches L Apamea sublustris Reddish Light Arches L Atolmis rubricollis Red-necked Footman L Autographa aemula* D Autographa gamma Silver Y D Autographa jota Plain Golden Y D Charanyca trigrammica Treble Lines L Cucullia lucifuga* (larva) On foodplant Euclidia glyphica Burnet Companion D Euclidia mi Mother Shipton D Hada plebeja Shears R Hoplodrina alsines The Uncertain L Noctua pronuba Large Yellow Underwing L Ochropleura plecta Flame Shoulder L Oligia strigilis (cf.) Marbled Minor L Parasemia plantaginis Wood Tiger D Phytometra viridaria Small Purple-barred D Polypogon tentacularia* O Setina ramosa* D Rusina ferruginea Brown Rustic L

Notodontidae Pheosia gnoma Lesser Swallow Prominent L

Sphingidae Macroglossum stellatarum Hummingbird Hawk-moth D

Tortricidae Pammene aurana D

Zygaenidae Zygaena filipendulae D Zygaena loti D Zygaena transalpina* D

Butterflies of the Swiss Alps Tour Report

Plants Scientific Name Common Name Location

Lycopodiopsida Clubmosses Lycopodiaceae Clubmoss Family Diphasiastrum alpinum Alpine Clubmoss Occasional. Mountain turf

Cupressaceae Cypress Family Juniperus communis subsp. nana Common Juniper Mountain pasture

Pinaceae Pine Family Abies alba European Silver Fir Forests Larix decidua Larch Occasional Picea abies Norway Spruce Forests Pinus sylvestris Scots Pine Widespread Pseudotsuga menziesii Douglas Fir Forests. Planted

Taxaceae Yew Family Taxus baccata Yew Occasional. Forest

Aceraceae Maple Family Acer campestre Field Maple Frequent Acer platanoides Norway Maple Occasional Acer pseudoplatanus Sycamore Common

Asteraceae Daisy Family Cicerbita alpina Alpine Sowthistle Forests and scrub Petasites albus White Butterbur Mannlichen

Betulaceae Birch Family Alnus glutinosa Common Alder Valleys, by rivers Alnus viridis Green Alder Wet mountain slopes Betula pendula Silver Birch Widespread Betula pubescens Downy Birch Frequent

Campanulaceae Bellflower Family Campanula barbata Bearded Bellflower Mountain turf Campanula cochlearifolia Fairy'sThimble Screes Campanula glomerata Clustered Bellflower Occasional Campanula rhomboidalis A Bellflower Common in meadows Campanula trachelium Nettle-leaved Bellflower Woods Phyteuma betonicifolium Betony-leaved Rampion Acidic pasture Phyteuma orbiculare Round-headed Rampion Meadows. Frequent Phyteuma spicatum Spiked Rampion Meadows. Frequent

Caprifoliaceae Honeysuckle Family Sambucus nigra Common Elder Woods Sambucus racemosa Alpine Elder Occasional. Rocky places

Caryophyllaceae Pink Family Silene acaulis Moss Campion Mountain turf Silene diocia Red Campion Frequent. Meadows Silene pratensis White Campion Occasional. Tracksides Silene rupestris Rock Campion Common on rccks

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Butterflies of the Swiss Alps Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name Location

Silene vulgaris Bladder Campion Ooccasional. Meadows

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

Corylaceae Hazel Family Corylus avellana Hazel Woods

Crassulaceae Stonecrop Family Sedum acre Biting Stonecrop Occasional Sedum album White Stonecrop Walls. Wengen Sedum alpestre Alpine Stonecrop Mountain rocks Sedum atratum Dark Stonecrop Mountain rocks Sedum dasyphyllum Thick-leaved Stonecrop Walls and rocks Sempervivum montanum Mountain Houseleek Common on rocks Sempervivum tectorum Common Houseleek Frequent on rocks

Ericaceae Heath Family Arctostaphylos alpinus Alpine Bearberry Occasional. Mountain turf Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Bearberry Acidic heaths Calluna vulgaris Ling Frequent Rhododendron ferrugineum Alpenrose Common Rhododendron hirsutum Hairy Alpenrose Common on limestone Vaccinium myrtillus Bilberry Common Vaccinium uliginosum Bog Whortleberry Common Vaccinium vitus-idaea Cowberry Common

Fabaceae Pea Family Anthyllis vulneraria subsp. alpestris Alpine Kidney Vetch Mountain pasture

Asteraceae Daisy Family Cicerbita alpina Alpine Sowthistle Forests and scrub Petasites albus White Butterbur Mannlichen

Betulaceae Birch Family Alnus glutinosa Common Alder Valleys, by rivers Alnus viridis Green Alder Wet mountain slopes Betula pendula Silver Birch Widespread Betula pubescens Downy Birch Frequent

Asteraceae Daisy Family Cicerbita alpina Alpine Sowthistle Forests and scrub Petasites albus White Butterbur Mannlichen

Betulaceae Birch Family Alnus glutinosa Common Alder Valleys, by rivers Alnus viridis Green Alder Wet mountain slopes

Butterflies of the Swiss Alps Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name Location

Betula pendula Silver Birch Widespread Betula pubescens Downy Birch Frequent

Astragalus alpinus Alpine Milk-vetch Mountain turf Astragalus australis Southern Milk-vetch Mountain turf Hedysarum hedysaroides Alpine Sainfoin Mountain pasture Hippocrepis comosa Horseshoe Vetch Common Lathyrus aphaca Yellow Vetchling Meadows Lathyrus laevigatus subsp. occidentalis Yellow Pea Green Alder scrub. Grutschalp Medicago sativa Lucerne Occasional weed Melilotus albus White Melilot Lowland Onobrychis arenaria Small Sainfoin Occasional Onobrychis montana Mountain Sainfoin Mountain pasture Onobrychis viciifolia Sainfoin Occasional Ononis repens Common Restharrow Below Wengen Trifolium alpinum Alpine Clover Common Trifolium badium Brown Clover Mountain meadows Trifolium montanum Mountain Clover Mountain pasture Trifolium pratense Red Clover Meadows Trifolium repens White Clover Frequent Trifolium thalii Mountain turf Mountain turf and screes Vicia cracca Tufted Vetch Frequent Vicia sepium Bush Vetch Occasional Vicia sylvatica Wood Vetch Woods

Fagaceae Beech Family Castanea sativa Sweet Chestnut Occasional. Planted Fagus sylvatica Beech Valley forest Quercus petraea Sessile Oak Frequent. Woods Quercus robur Pedunculate Oak Occasional

Gentianaceae Gentian Family Gentiana acaulis Trumpet Gentian Mountain pasture Gentiana brachyphylla Short-leaved Gentian Alpine turf Gentiana clusii Clusius's Gentian Limestone pasture Gentiana lutea Great Yellow Gentian Mountain pasture Gentiana nivalis Snow Gentian Occasional. Mountain pasture Gentiana verna Spring Gentian Mountain pasture

Geraniaceae Geranium Family Geranium pyrenaicum Pyrenean Cranesbill Common Geranium robertianum Herb Robert Common Geranium sylvaticum Wood Cranesbill Common Globulariaceae Globularia Family Globularia cordifolia Matted Globularia Frequent Globularia nudicaulis Leafless-stemmed Globularia Frequent

Lamiaceae Mint Family Ajuga pyramidalis Pyramidal Bugle Locally common Ajuga reptans Common Bugle Common Clinopodium vulgare Wild Basil Frequent Galeopsis tetrahit Common Hemp Nettle Occasional Glechoma hederacea Ground Ivy Woods

Butterflies of the Swiss Alps Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name Location

Lamiastrum galeobdolon Yellow Archangel Woods Lamium maculatum Spotted Dead-nettle Occasional Lamium purpureum Red Dead-nettle Occasional Salvia pratensis Meadow Clary Meadows. Trummelbach Stachys alpina Alpine Woundwort Below Wengen Stachys officinalis Betony Meadows S.tachys sylvatica Hedge Woundwort Woods Teucrium chamaedrys Wall Germander Below Wengen Teucrium montanum Mountain Germander Trummelbach Teucrium scorodonia Wood Sage Woods Thymus polytrichus Hairy Thyme Common Thymus pulegioides Larger Wild Thyme Meadows

Lentibulariaceae Butterwort Family Pinguicula alpina Alpine Butterwort Mountain rocks and turf Pinguicula vulgaris Common Butterwort Wet turf

Oleaceae Olive Family Fraxinus excelsior Ash Lowland Ligustrum vulgare Wild Privet Lowland

Parnassiaceae Grass of Parnassus Family Parnassia palustris Grass of Parnassus Damp flushes Polygalaceae Milkwort Family Polygala alpestris Mountain Milkwort Common Polygala alpina Alpine Milkwort Mountain turf Polygala vulgaris Common Milkwort Frequent

Primulaceae Primrose Family Androsace chamaejasme Ciliate Rock Jasmine Frequent Primula elatior Oxlip Snowbeds Primula farinosa Birdseye Primrose Mountain turf Primula hirsuta Hairy Primrose Acidic rocks Primula veris Cowslip Below Wengen Soldanella alpina Alpine Snowbell Common

Pyrolaceae Wintergreen Family Moneses uniflora One-flowered Wintergreen Forest Orthilia secunda One-sided Wintergreen Forest Pyrola minor Lesser Wintergreen Forest

Ranunculaceae Buttercup Family Aconitum napellus Common Monkshood Damp meadows Aconitum vulparia Wolfsbane Frequent. Forest Actaea spicata Baneberry Woods Anemone narcissiflora Narcissus-flowered Anemone Mountain pasture Anemone nemorosa Wood Anemone Woods Caltha palustris Marsh Marigold Flushes and streamsides Clematis alpina Alpine Clematis Alpine Garden Pulsatilla alpina subsp. alpina Alpine Pasque Flower Frequent on limestone Pulsatilla alpina subsp. apiifolia Alpine Pasque Flower Frequent on acidic soils Pulsatilla vernalis Spring Pasque Flower Locally commom Ranunculus aconitifolius Aconite-leaved Buttercup Locally common

Butterflies of the Swiss Alps Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name Location

Ranunculus acris Meadow Buttercup Common Ranunculus alpestris Alpine Buttercup Snowbeds. Common Trollius europaeus Globeflower Common

Rosaceae Rose Family Agrimonia eupatoria Agrimony Occasional. Lowland Alchemilla alpina Alpine Lady's Mantle Common Alchemilla conjuncta Silver Lady's Mantle Frequent Alchemilla glabra agg. A Lady's Mantle Frequent Alchemilla pentaphyllea Cut-leaved Lady's Mantle Snowbeds Alchemilla vulgaris agg. Lady's Mantle Frequent Aruncus dioicus Goatsbeard Spiraea Woods. Below Wengen Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn Woods Dryas octopetala Mountain Avens Mountain rocks and scree Filipendula ulmaria Meadowsweet Lowland meadows

Fragaria vesca Wild Strawberry Woods and pasture Geum montanum Alpine Avens Mountian turf Geum rivale Water Avens Occasional. Wet pasture Geum urbanum Herb Bennet Woods Potentilla aurea Golden Cinquefoil Occasional. Mountian turf Potentilla crantzii Alpine Cinquefoil Common. Mountain turf Potentilla erecta Tormentil Acidic turf Prunus avium Wild Cherry Woods Rubus saxatilis Stone Bramble Occasional. Rocky places Sanguisorba minor Salad Burnet Widespread Sibbaldia procumbens Sibbaldia Snowbeds Sorbus aria Whitebeam Occasional. Woods Sorbus aucuparia Rowan Woods Sorbus chamaemespilus False Medlar Mountain pasture

Salicaceae Willow Family Populus alba White Poplar Lowland Populus tremula Aspen Occasional Salix aurita Eared Sallow Widespread Salix breviserrata Finely-toothed Willow Occasional Salix caprea Goat Willow Lowland Salix foetida Stinking Willow Locally common Salix hegetschweileri Alpine Willow Mountain turf Salix myrsinites Whortle-leaved Willow Mountain turf Salix reticulata Net Leaved Willow Alpine rocks and turf Salix retusa Retuse-leaved Willow Alpine rocks and turf

Scrophulariaceae Figwort Family Bartsia alpina Alpine Bartsia Mountain turf Cymbalaria muralis Ivy-leaved Toadflax Occasional on walls Erinus alpinus Fairy Foxglove Frequent Euphrasia minima Dwarf Eyebright Local. Mountain pasture Euphrasia rostkoviana Common Eyebright Meadows Linaria alpina Alpine Toadflax Moraine and screes Melampyrum sylvaticum Wood Cow-wheat Forest Pedicularis ascendens Ascending Lousewort Limestone turf Pedicularis foliosa Leafy Lousewort Local. Limestone pasture

Butterflies of the Swiss Alps Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name Location

Pedicularis kerneri Kerner's Lousewort Alpine turf Pedicularis oederi Crimson-tipped Lousewort Alpine turf Pedicularis recutita Beakless Red Lousewort Local. Mountain turf Pedicularis tuberosa Long-beaked Yellow Lousewort Acidic turf Pedicularis verticillata Whorled Lousewort Mountain turf Rhinanthus alectorolophus Greater Yellow Rattle Common . Meadows Rhinanthus minor Yellow Rattle Uncommon. Pasture

Violaceae Violet Family Viola biflora Yellow Wood Violet Common Viola calcarata Long-spurred Pansy Locally common Viola lutea Mountain Pansy Locally common Viola tricolor Heartsease Local Viola riviniana Common Dog Violet Common

Iridaceae Iris Family Crocus vernus subsp. albiflorus Spring Crocus Common

Liliaceae Lily Family Convallaria majalis Lily of the Valley Limestone cliffs and scree Lilium martagon Martagon Lily Woods Lloydia serotina Snowdon Lily Mountain turf Maianthemum bifolium May Lily Mountain woods Paris quadrifolia Herb Paris Local. Woods

Orchidaceae Orchid Family Cephalantha longifolia Long-leaved Helleborine Frequent. Woods Coeloglossum viride Frog Orchid Frequent Corallorhiza trifida Coral Root Local. Forests Cypripedium calceolus Lady's Slipper Local Dactylorhiza maculata Common Spotted Orchid Common Dactylorhiza majalis Broad-leaved Marsh Orchid Common Epipactis atrorubens Dark-red Helleborine Frequent. Forests Epipactis helleborine Broad leaved Helleborine Frequent. Forests Gymnadenia conopsea Fragrant Orchid Common Gymnadenia odoratissima Short-spurred Fragrant Orchid Local Listera ovata Twayblade Locally common Neottia nidus-avis Birds Nest Orchid Frequent. Forests Nigritella rhellicani Vanilla Orchid Locally common Orchis insectifera Fly Orchid Rare. Orchis mascula Early Purple Orchid Common Platanthera bifolia Lesser Butterfly Orchid Locally frequent. Forests Traunsteinera globosa Round-headed Orchid Local

Birds ( = recorded but not counted; H = heard only) June/July Common name Scientific name 29 30 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 Mallard Anas platyrhynchos   2 Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus   3 Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo   4 Black Kite Milvus migrans      5 Common Buzzard Buteo buteo 

Butterflies of the Swiss Alps Tour Report

June/July Common name Scientific name 29 30 1 2 3 4 5 6 6 Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus     7 Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis   8 Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus H H 9 Common Swift Apus apus     10 Eurasian Magpie Pica pica    11 Spotted Nutcracker Nucifraga caryocatactes    12 Alpine Chough Pyrrhocorax graculus     13 Carrion Crow Corvus corone      14 Northern Raven Corvus corax   15 European Crested Tit Lophophanes cristatus H 16 Great Tit Parus major     17 Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis ?  18 Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica   19 Eurasian Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla   H 20 Common Firecrest Regulus ignicapilla H H H 21 Goldcrest Regulus regulus  22 Eurasian Wren Troglodytes troglodytes    23 Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus    24 Common Blackbird Turdus merula        25 Fieldfare Turdus pilaris      26 Song Thrush Turdus philomelos   27 Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus   28 European Robin Erithacus rubecula    29 Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros         30 Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe  31 Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata  32 House Sparrow Passer domesticus         33 White-winged Snowfinch Montifringilla nivalis  34 Alpine Accentor Prunella collaris  35 Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea  36 White Wagtail Motacilla alba        37 Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis   38 Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta    39 Common Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs      40 European Serin Serinus serinus     41 European Greenfinch Chloris chloris     42 European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis   43 Citril Finch Carduelis citrinella    44 Red Crossbill Loxia curvirostra 

Mammals 1 Alpine Marmot Marmota marmota   2 Red Fox Vulpes vulpes  3 Chamois Rupicapra rupicapra   4 Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus  5 Brown Hare Lepus capensis  6 Red Squirrel Sciurus vulgaris  7 Pipistrelle Pipistrellus pipistrellus       8 Serotine Eptesicus serotinus   9 Noctule Nyctalus noctula    10 Northern Bat Eptesicus nilssonii    

Butterflies of the Swiss Alps Tour Report

June/July Common name Scientific name 29 30 1 2 3 4 5 6 11 Savi's Pipistrelle Hypsugo savii  12 Alpine Long eared Bat Plecotus macrobullaris 

Reptiles 1 Viviparous Lizard Lacerta vivipera   

Amphibians 1 Common Frog Rana temporaria  

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Mountain Picnic