France – the Dordogne

France – The Dordogne

Naturetrek Tour Report 12 - 19 May 2016

Spotted Fritillary Rocamador

Blue Lettuce and Gorge de L’Alzou Chequered Skipper

Tour report and images compiled by Jason Mitchell

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 Dordogne

Tour participants: Jason Mitchell (leader) with eight Naturetrek clients

Day 1 Thursday 12th May

The tour started with a flight from Gatwick to Toulouse, which arrived on time. At Toulouse airport we met Jason and Martin before boarding the minibus and heading north to our hotel, which we reached a couple of hours later. A few raptors featured en route with the rather common, but elegant Black Kite being the most frequent. Some showy plants were also identified as we drove along: bright pink Rock Soapwort, Spanish Broom and Pyramidal Orchid. Arriving at the hotel, we were delighted to be greeted by the distinctive song of a Common Redstart, which was to be the acoustic back drop in the hotel garden for the rest of the week. We also met the last two members of the group who had travelled independently. Once settled into our rooms, we reconvened for a most enjoyable dinner ahead of our first day in the field.

Day 2 Friday 13th May

Today was cloudy with sunny spells but rain later, and a temperature of 15°C. We assembled outside the hotel and spotted the songster from last night as a handsome male Common Redstart sang from the top of a tree, along with a Cirl Bunting on a nearby roof. Shortly after leaving the hotel, a field awash with the blue of Meadow Clary prompted us to stop and explore a promising looking area. In just a few minutes we had spotted four orchid species along a woodland edge: Narrow-leaved and Broad-leaved Helleborines, and Woodcock and Lady Orchids. The soft purring of a European Turtle Dove and the less tuneful song of a Western Bonelli’s Warbler rang out from the woodland canopy.

Moving on, we soon arrived at the start of a circular walk close to Chateau de Castlenaud. We set off and were very soon confronted with an interesting and diverse mix of grassland and woodland plants: Meadow Saxifrage, Butcher’s Broom and Tassel Hyacinth. Our first butterfly of the tour was a confiding Speckled Wood of the continental race; although a little faded, it was still possible to appreciate the stronger orange hue of the wing spots which sometimes leads to confusion with the fritillary butterflies. With time pressing on and dark clouds building, Jason hurried back to the minibus, returning to gather up the group a few minutes later. On his return, several of the group were wearing rather large grins; just after his departure the group had the most wonderful views of a male and female Eurasian Golden Oriole perched along the woodland edge in full view!

With the forecast afternoon rain arriving as predicted, we retreated to a restaurant and feasted on some rather deliciously pizzas. Fortunately, in anticipation of a rainy afternoon, an under-cover venue had been chosen in the nearby Chateau de Castelnaud. This most impressive fortress was at one stage under English control and played an important role in the hundred years’ war. The chateau has been lovingly restored and boasts a fascinating collection of weapons, not to mention spectacular views of the surrounding countryside and river Dordogne below. The afternoon was not devoid of wildlife with Black Redstart, European Serin and Eurasian Crag Martins all common in and around the grounds. The journey back to the hotel was enlivened by close views of a family group of Coypu in a roadside pond along with the briefest sighting of a Common Kingfisher.

France – The Dordogne Tour Report

Day 3 Saturday 14th May

Today was an overcast morning, but sunny and warm later, with a temperature of 21°C. Saturday is market day in the famous medieval town of Sarlat, so after breakfast we headed north over the river Dordogne and were soon parked. The market seemed to take up the entire town with stalls stretching in all directions. Great emphasis was placed on traditional French produce, but there were few things not on show on a stall somewhere. As we enjoyed the hustle and bustle of the market we were also able to appreciate the impressive setting; the wonderfully restored medieval buildings represent some of the best in France. While some relaxed with a coffee, swifts darted overhead and the local Black Redstarts gave their strange little song from the roof tops.

Leaving the town behind, we stopped to picnic on a woodland edge. Birds were in good voice and it was not long before we had an interesting list: a Short-toed Treecreeper crept mouse-like up a trunk, a Common Nightingale gave its creaking frog-like call from the undergrowth, and the scratchy notes of a Melodious Warbler had us debating the validity of its common name.

Our next stop was in the Beune Valley at a delightful water meadow with a crystal clear stream bubbling through. Tropical-coloured Beautiful and Banded Demoiselles flitted over the stream while the more diminutive Southern Damselfly was more at home around wet flushes within the meadow. A freshly emerged Scarce Chaser was a great find but sadly it took its ‘maiden flight’ before most got to see it. Marsh Orchids stood out with their bright colours contrasting strongly with the surrounding grasses. Butterflies were present too; Dingy and Grizzled Skippers were noted but it was a mating pair of Southern White Admirals that stole that show.

A short drive later and we were soon walking through a wooded valley to the Chateau de Commarque. As we descended through dappled shade, the strikingly white flowers of Star of Bethlehem stood out against a background of green. Close by an Oil Beetle made slow progress across the path so a gentle helping hand moved it to safety; care is needed when handling this species as they can release a smelly, oily fluid when alarmed. This fascinating insect boasts one of the most bizarre life histories of European insects; the louse-like larvae wait on flowers to attach themselves to solitary mining bees, and once in the bee’s burrow, they feast on its eggs and pollen store. Arriving at the chateau, we explored the wet meadow below its impressive ramparts before heading back to the minibus and eventually to the hotel.

Day 4 Sunday 15th May

It was sunny today, and before leaving the hotel, we made up individual lunches in preparation for a full day’s circular walk around the Rocs de Monges, set high above the river Dordogne.

Shortly after leaving our base, we made an impromptu stop along a quiet lane to investigate an interesting looking orchid on a bank. It was identified as a Monkey Orchid and was soon being photographed by many of the group. A delightful half hour was then spent combing the bank for plants. Seven species of orchid were found including another first for the tour in the form of several Fly Orchids.

Arriving a St Sozy, we parked up and were soon walking towards the top of the cliffs along a woodland path. All agreed it was ideal walking weather as we continued our ascent, making frequent stops to look at birds,

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France – The Dordogne Tour Report

butterflies and plants. Two male Adonis Blues were something of a surprise, for most were more accustomed to finding this handsome species on chalk downland rather than in a woodland glade. On leaving the woods, a grassy bank alongside an orchard provided our first sighting of a Glanville Fritillary and several Wall Browns. Soon the path levelled out and we walked the ridge towards a magnificent viewpoint where we had lunch.

Having reached the highest point of the route, the afternoon was all downhill; fortunately the same could not be said of the wildlife. As we descended through scrub woodland, grassy glades full of wildflowers held a bounty of orchids and butterflies; Adonis Blue, Scarce Swallowtail and Small Heath were all numerous. Passing through a small village we stopped to marvel at a bush covered in insects. A non-native Asian Hornet was a first for many; this insect is causing great concern as it predates Honey Bees and can apparently ‘wipe-out’ a hive in a matter of days. Now walking under the cliffs which we had previously passed over during the morning, our route took us through an enchanting Box woodland draped in mosses and lichen. A grassy clearing between the rocks was carpeted with bellflowers and a newly emerged Common Clubtail dragonfly was found resting along the track while waiting for its wings to harden. After negotiating a short scramble, we were back on level ground alongside the river and in no time were back at the minibus ahead of the short drive home.

Day 5 Monday 16th May

On another sunny day, as had become customary, a stop was made en route to our first destination to explore another incredibly rich roadside verge. As the road was very narrow, we parked where we had stopped, and during 30 minutes not a single person arrived, such is the quiet nature of these rural French roads. Orchids were again present but it was the swathes of Purple Gromwell and Yellow Rattle that attracted the most attention, as did a Roman Snail which quickly became a popular photographic subject.

Continuing on, we soon arrived at our destination high on the Causses. Before starting a short walk we stopped to compare the songs of several bird species, each competing for air time; jangling Corn Buntings, scratchy Melodious Warblers and rattling Cirl Buntings were all in good voice. Descending into a combe, we soon found the fascinating flower spikes of Violet Limodore which were present in good numbers under the shade of adjacent shrubs. The scree slopes provided more interesting plants in the shape of Southernwood and Small Toadflax. The same habitat was alive with insects; several rather attractive Ascalaphids, also known as Owl Flies, were resting in the grass allowing some close-up photographs to be taken. Butterflies were numerous too with Green Hairstreak, Duke of Burgundy and the handsome Spotted Fritillary all seen before it was time to walk back up to the minibus for lunch.

While lunch was being prepared the group continued to investigate the open plateau above the combe, finding Green-veined and Man Orchids in the process. A small pond was attended by two male Broad-bodied Chasers, and a Chapman’s Blue ended up in the net allowing us to separate it from the very similar Common Blue butterfly. With lunch underway, some distant but rather large raptors had us on our feet once more as three Griffon Vultures circled and an elusive Common Quail called from cover.

After lunch, the rest of the afternoon was spent either visiting the nearby spectacular and popular tourist destination of Rocamadour or walking along the Alzou Gorge, before heading back to the hotel, but not before we all finally managed great views of a Western Bonelli’s Warbler singing and feeding in a small oak close to the church at the top of the village.

France – The Dordogne Tour Report

Day 6 Tuesday 17th May

A few of us opted for an early morning walk before breakfast. We were greeted by the now familiar songs of Cirl Bunting, Common Redstart and Woodlark. However, a brief fly-over Eurasian Wryneck and grazing Red Deer made the effort more than worthwhile, not to mention that righteous feeling you get from an early start.

After breakfast and with the group back to full-strength, we headed south-east towards the Gramat Cause and the Moulin de Saut. Winding down the narrow lane that leads to the mill, we stopped to explore a floriferous verge alongside a pretty dry-stone wall. Continuing to the car park, we started along a track that leads to a cliff path high above the Alzou Gorge. We marvelled at the mill below while enjoying the spectacular purple swathes of Viper’s Bugloss. Our first Tree Pipit of the tour sang from the top of an Oak, while a Short-toed Snake Eagle circled overhead with nearby Northern Ravens. Colourful Bastard Balm and the less showy but interesting fruited Cornellian Cherry were popular finds with the botanists.

With the morning almost over, we headed further west to our lunch stop and afternoon destination at the Marais de Bonnefont; a nature reserve with waymarked paths passing through a varied wetland landscape. A boardwalk led to a small pond which was guarded by dragonflies and damselflies, but it was the strikingly patterned Marbled Newts that we were most delighted to see. Further along, a stream meandered through woodland where the metallic blue Beautiful Demoiselle was common and joined by the equally stunning, if less familiar, Copper Demoiselle. Leaving the woodland and entering a wildflower meadow, butterflies became our main focus; Knapweed, Small Pearl-bordered and Weaver’s Fritillaries were joined by the fritillary-like Duke of Burgundy. Leaving the marsh behind, we had a coffee stop in Gramat before heading back to the hotel.

Day 7 Wednesday 18th May

We had a cloudy start to the day but it turned sunny with a maximum temperature of 23°C. This morning we made the longer drive into a neighbouring department of Correze, in search of different geology, flora and landscapes. Just to the south of Neuville we had a circular walk taking us through woodland and open fields. Initially walking on a quiet road between woodland areas, it soon became obvious that the vegetation was quite different from earlier in the week, the most obvious new plant being the large and impressive White Asphodel. Although a little cloudy, it was fairly warm and some butterflies where in evidence with Chequered Skipper, Knapweed Fritillary and Brimstone all on the wing. Crossing open fields, a Woodlark flew overhead giving its pleasant, if melancholy song. Leaving the fields behind we entered a wooded area where a Brimstone butterfly posed for the photographers. A dragonfly, perched motionless, was spotted just inches away; closer examination proved it to be a Sombre Goldenring dragonfly, an uncommon species in much of France. We continue our walk back to the minibus but not before spotting a juvenile Fire Salamander next to a wet wheel rut, and a Marsh Fritillary butterfly roosting in tall grass.

Lunch was a short drive away at Roc de Vic; a high point with commanding views stretching to the distance Massif Central. As lunch was being prepared, the group climbed the hill to enjoy the view and to look for the rare Forked Spleenwort, which was duly found after a brief search.

Our final visit of the day was Puy Turlau, a site well-known for its impressive orchid flora. The weather was improving as we arrived and the local butterflies were soon out in force. In the space of a few minutes several

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France – The Dordogne Tour Report

species were noted, with Meadow Fritillary being a welcome addition to the species list. The Puy is topped with Calvary crosses and as we made our way to the summit, we passed one orchid after another of what would eventually total 16 species. Many we had seen earlier in the week, but we were thrilled to add yet more, with some new species being particularly numerous, like the Tongue Orchids which were present in their thousands. Less common and sadly only in bud was a group of several Mueller’s Helleborine.

Arriving back at the minibus, we made the journey back to the hotel for our last dinner of the tour and a hearty one it was too; a delicious bowl of cassoulet, later rounded off with a ‘digestive’ kindly offered by our hosts.

Day 8 Thursday 19th May

We had light rain today and it was cooler, at 17°C. It was our final morning so we bade farewell to the hotel staff and made an uneventful two hour journey to Toulouse airport. En route we enjoyed flight views of several raptors, but spent a good deal of time reflecting on what had been a productive and very enjoyable visit to an especially attractive corner of France and of the river Dordogne, which has shaped so much of it.

Once at the airport we said our goodbyes, hoping we might meet again on another tour, and most of the group caught their flight back to Gatwick where another Naturetrek adventure came to an end.

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France – The Dordogne Tour Report

Species Lists

Birds (=recorded but not counted; H = heard only) May Common name Scientific name 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 1 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea   2 Mute Swan Cygnus olor  3 Mallard Anas platyrhynchos   4 Short-toed Snake Eagle Circaetus gallicus 1 1 5 Black Kite Milvus migrans         6 Common Buzzard Buteo buteo         7 Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipter nisus  1 8 Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus         9 Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo 2 10 Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus 1 1 11 Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa 2 12 Common Quail Coturnix coturnix H 13 Water Rail Rallus aquaticus H 14 Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus H 15 Common Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus         16 Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto         17 European Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur H H 18 Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus         19 Tawny Owl Strix aluco H 20 Eurasian Scops Owl Otus scops H 21 European Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus H 22 Common Swift Apus apus         23 Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis         24 Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops 1 1 H 1 1 1 25 European Green Woodpecker Picus viridis 1 1 1 26 Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major       27 Eurasian Wryneck Jynx torquilla 1 28 Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis 2 29 Woodlark Lullula arborea 2 1 2 30 Eurasian Crag Martin Ptynoprogne rupestris         31 Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica         32 Common House Martin Dilichon urbica         33 Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis H 1 34 White Wagtail Motacilla alba 2 1 2 2 35 Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea 1 2 36 Eurasian Wren Troglodytes troglodytes     37 European Robin Erithacus rubecula         38 Common Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos       39 Common Redstart Phoenicurus pheonicurus         40 Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros         41 European Stonechat Saxicola torquata 1 2 1 42 Song Thrush Turdus philomelos 1 1 H 43 Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus 1 1 1 44 Common Blackbird Turdus merula         45 Eurasian Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla         46 Common Whitethroat Sylvia communis 4

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France – The Dordogne Tour Report

May Common name Scientific name 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 47 Cetti’s Warbler Cettia cetti H 48 Melodious Warbler Hippolais polyglotta         49 Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix H 50 Western Bonelli’s Warbler Phylloscopus bonelli H 6 10+ 20+ H 51 Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus colybita         52 Common Firecrest Regulus ignicapillus         53 Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata 1 1 2 2 1 54 European Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca 1 55 Great Tit Parus major         56 Eurasian Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus         57 Marsh Tit Poecile palustris H 58 Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus     59 Eurasian Nuthatch Sitta europaea H 2 2 5 60 Short-toed Treecreeper Certhia brachydactyla         61 Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio 1 1 62 Eurasian Magpie Pica pica         63 Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius         64 Western Jackdaw Corvus monedula         65 Carrion Crow Corvus corone corone         66 Northern Raven Corvus corax fam 2 1 1 67 Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris   68 Eurasian Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus 3 H 69 House Sparrow Passer domesticus         70 Common Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs         71 Common Linnet Linaria cannabina    72 European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis         73 European Greenfinch Chloris chloris      74 European Serin Serinus serinus         75 Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes 1 6 76 Cirl Bunting Emberiza cirlus         77 Corn Bunting Emberiza calandra 4

Butterflies Common name Scientific name Day first seen

1 Swallowtail Papilio machaon 3 2 Scarce Swallowtail Iphiclides podalirius 3 3 Black-veined White Aporia crataegi 3 4 Large White Pieris brassicae 3 5 Small White Pieris rapae 3 6 Green-veined White Pieris napi 4 7 Orange Tip Anthocharis cardamines 3 8 Clouded Yellow Colias crocea 5 9 Brimstone Gonepteryx rhamni 3 10 Cleopatra Gonepteryx cleopatra 4 11 Wood White Leptidea sinapis 3 12 Green Hairstreak Callophrys rubi 4 13 Small Copper Lycaena phlaeas 3 14 Little Blue Cupido minimus 5 15 Holly Blue Celastrina argiolus 6 16 Green-underside Blue Glaucopsyche alexis 5

France – The Dordogne Tour Report

Common name Scientific name Day first seen

17 Brown Argus Aricia agestis 3 18 Chapman's Blue Polyommatus thersites 5 19 Common Blue Polyommatus icarus 4 20 Adonis Blue Lysandra bellargus 4 21 Duke of Burgundy Hamaeris lucina 5 22 Southern White Admiral Limenitus reducta 3 23 Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta 4 24 Comma Polygonia c-album 4 25 Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary Boloria selene 6 26 Weaver's Fritillary Boloria dia 6 27 Glanville Fritillary Melitaea cinxia 4 28 Knapweed Fritillary Melitaea phoebe 6 29 Spotted Fritillary Melitaea didyma 5 30 False Heath Fritillary Melitaea diamina 3 31 Heath Fritillary Mellicta athalia 5 32 Meadow Fritillary Mellicta parthenoides 7 33 Marsh Fritillary Eurodryas aurinia 3 34 Small Heath Coenonympha pamphilus 3 35 Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria 2 36 Wall Brown Lasiommata megera 3 37 Grizzled Skipper Pyrgus malvae 3 38 Large Grizzled Skipper Pyrgus alveus 5 39 Dingy Skipper Erynnis tages 3 40 Chequered Skipper Carterocephalus palaemon 7

Plants Scientific Name Common Name Day first seen

EQUISETACEAE E. palustre Marsh Horsetail 3 Pteridium aquilinum Bracken 2 Athyrium felix-femina Lady Fern 7 D. affinis Scaly Male Fern 2 Phyllitis scolopendrium Hart's-tongue Fern 2 Blechnum spicant Hard Fern 7 A. septentrionale Forked Spleenwort 7 Ceterach officinarum Rustyback 2 Adiantum capillus-veneris Maidenhair Fern 3

CONIFERS J. ocycedrus Prickly Juniper 2

SALICACEAE Populus tremula Aspen 2 Juglans regia Walnut 2

BETULACEAE Alnus glutinosa Alder 3

CORYLACEAE Carpinus betulus Hornbeam 2 Coryllus avellana Hazel 3

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France – The Dordogne Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name Day first seen

FAGACEAE Fagus sylvatica Beech 2 Castanea sativa Sweet Chestnut 2 Quercus petraea Sessile Oak 2 Q. pubescens Downy Oak 2 Q. ilex Holm Oak 2 Q. coccifera Holly Oak 2

MORACEAE Ficus carica Fig 2

URTICACEAE Urtica dioica Stinging Nettle 2 Parietaria judaica Pellitory-of-the-wall 4

LORANTHACEAE Viscum album Mistletoe 2

CARYOPHYLLACEAE C. fontanum Common Mouse-ear 2 Stellaria media Common Chickweed 2 S. holostea Greater Stitchwort 2 S. graminea Lesser Stitchwort 3 Moehringia trinerva Three-veined Sandwort 3 M. verna Spring Sandwort 5 Lychnis flos-cuculi Ragged Robin 2 Silene nutans Nottingham Catchfly 2 S. alba White Campion 4 S. dioica Red Campion 2 S. vulgaris Bladder Campion 2 S. ocymoides Rock soapwort 1

RANUNCULACEAE R. acris Meadow Buttercup 2 R. penicillatus a species of Water Crowfoot 6 Helleborus foetidus Stinking Hellebore 2 H. viridis Green Hellebore 3 Aquilegia vulgaris Columbine 2 Caltha palustris Marsh Marigold 3 Clematis vitalba Old Man's Beard 2

PAPAVERACEAE Chelidonium majus Greater Celandine 2 Papaver rhoeas Common Poppy 2

CRUCIFEREAE C. impatiens Narrow-leaved Bitter-cress 6 Alliaria petiolata Garlic Mustard 2 Teesdalia nudicaulis Shepherd's Cress 2 Nasturtium officinale Watercress 3 Iberis amara Wild Candytuft 5

France – The Dordogne Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name Day first seen

RESEDACEAE Reseda luteola Weld 5

CRASSULACEAE Umbilicus rupestris Wall Pennywort 4 S. album White Stonecrop 4 S. telephium Orpine 4

SAXIFRAGACEAE Saxifraga granulata Meadow Saxifrage 2

ROSACEAE F. ulmaria Meadowsweet 3 R. fruticosus ssp Bramble 2 Rosa canina ssp Dog Rose 2 Sangiusorba minus Salad Burnet 3 Geum urbanum Herb Bennet 2 P.erecta Tormentil 7 Fragaria vesca Wild Strawberry 2 Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn 2 Prunus spinosa Blackthorn 2

LEGUMINOSAE Spartium junceum Spanish Broom 1 Genista tinctoria Dyer's Greenweed 5 U. minor Dwarf Gorse 7 Robinia pseudacacia False Acacia 2 Astragalus monspessulanus Montpellier Vetch 4 Vicia hirsuta Hairy Tare 6 V. lutea Yellow Vetch 4 L. aphaca Yellow Vetchling 4 T. incarnatum Crimson Clover 4 T. pratense Red Clover 2 Lotus corniculatus Bird's-foot Trefoil 2 Anthyllis vulneraria Kidney Vetch 2 Onobrychis viciifolia Sainfoin 2

GERANIACEAE G. purpureum Little Robin 5 G. lucidum Shining Crane's-bill 5 G. molle Dove's-foot Crane's-bill 2 G. dissectum Cut-leaved Crane's-bill 3 G. sanguinium Bloody Crane's-bill 5

LINACEAE Linum bienne Pale Flax 2 L. narbonense Blue Flax 5

EUPHORBIACEAE Mercurialis perennis Dog's Mercury 3 Euphorbia cyparissias Cypress Spurge 2 E. amygaloides Wood Spurge 2

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France – The Dordogne Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name Day first seen

POLYGALACEAE Polygala vulgaris Common Milkwort 2

PLATANACEAE Platanus x hybridus Plane Tree 2

CORIARIACEAE Coriaria myrtifolia Mediterranean coriaria 2

ACERACEAE Acer campestre Field Maple 2 A. pseudoplatanus Sycamore 2 A. monspessulanum Monpellier Maple 2

CELASTRACEAE Eunymous europaeus Spindle 4

BUXACEAE Buxus sempervirens Box 2

RHAMNACEAE R. alaternus Mediterranean Buckthorn 4 Frangula alnus Alder Buckthorn 2

TILACEAE T. x vulgaris Common Lime 2

VIOLACEAE V. arvensis Field Pansy 4 V. riviniana Common Dog Violet 5 V. odorata Sweet Violet 6

CISTACEAE Helianthemum appeninum White Rockrose 4 H. canum Hoary Rockrose 5

CUCURBITACEAE Bryonia dioica White Bryony 2

ONAGRACEAE Circaea lutetiana Enchanter's Nightshade 4

CORNACEAE Cornus sanguinea Dogwood 2 C. mas Cornelian Cherry 6

ARIALACEAE Hedera helix Ivy 2

UMBELLIFERAE Sanicula europaea Sanicle 2 Erngium campestre Field Eryngo 4 Anthriscus sylvestris Cow Parsley 3

France – The Dordogne Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name Day first seen

Conopodium majus Pignut 2 Aegopodium podagraria Ground Elder 3 Apium nodiflorum Fool's Watercress 6 Daucus carota Wild Carrot 5

ERICACEAE Erica tetralix Cross-leaved Heath 7 Calluna vulgaris Ling 7

PRIMULACEAE Primula veris Cowslip 2 A. arvensis Scarlet Pimpernel 3 A. foemina Blue Pimpernel 4

OLEACEAE Ligustrum vulgare Wild Privet 2

GENTIANACEAE

ASCLEPIADACEAE Vincetoxicum hirundinaria Swallow-wort 2

RUBIACEAE Rubia peregrina Wild Madder 2 Cruciata laevipes Crosswort 2 G. aparine Goose-grass, Cleavers 2 Convulvulus arvensis Field Bindweed 3

BORAGINACEAE Pulmonaria longifolia Narrow-leaved Lungwort 2 Lithospermum arvensis Corn Gromwell 4 Echium vulgare Viper's Bugloss 2 Myosotis arvensis Field Forget-me-not 2 M. discolor Changing Forget-me-not 3

LABIATAE Ajuga reptans Bugle 2 T. chamaedrys Wall Germander 2 Mellitis melissophyllum Bastard Balm 5 L. purpureum Red Deadnettle 2 Lamiastrum galeobdolon Yellow Archangel 3 Stachys officinalis Betony 2 Glechoma hederacea Ground Ivy 3 Prunella vulgaris Self-heal 2 Origanum vulgare Marjoram 2 Thymus praecox Wild Thyme 3 Mentha suaveolens Apple Mint 3 M. aquatica Water Mint 3 Salvia pratensis Meadow Clary 2

SOLANACEAE Solanum dulcamara Bittersweet 2

France – The Dordogne Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name Day first seen

SCROPHULARACEAE S. auriculata Water Figwort 3 L. supina Prostrate Toadflax 5 Cymbalaria muralis Ivy-leaved Toadflax 2 Digitalis purpurea Foxglove 7 V. chamaedrys Germander Speedwell 2 M. pratense Common Cow-wheat 6 Rhinanthus minor Common Yellow Rattle 6

GLUBULARIACEAE Globularia punctata 4

OROBANCHACEAE O. minor Common Broomrape 3

PLANTAGINACEAE P. lanceolata Ribwort Plantain 2

CAPRIFOLIACEAE Sambucus nigra Elder 2 Viburnum lantana Wayfaring Tree 2 V. opulus Guelder Rose 2 Lonicera periclymenum Honeysuckle 5 L. xylosteum Fly Honeysuckle 5

VALERIANACEAE Valeriana officinalis Common Valerian 3 Centranthus ruber Red Valerian 2

DIPSACACEAE Dipsacus fullonum Wild Teasel 2 Knautia sylvatica Wood Scabious 2 K. arvensis Field Scabious 2

CAMPANULACEAE C. rapunculus Rampion Bellflower 2 C. persicifolia Peach-leaved Bellflower 7 C. trachelium Nettle-leaved bellflower 4 Phyteuma spicatum Spiked Rampion 2

COMPOSITAE Bellis perennis Daisy 2 Achillea millefolium Yarrow 7 Leucanthemum vulgare Ox-eye Daisy 2 Eupatoria cannabinum Hemp Agrimony 3 Senecio jacobaea Common Ragwort 2 C. palustre Marsh Thistle 3 Silybum marianum Milk Thistle 4 Centaurea nigra ssp nemoralis Slender Knapweed 3 C. cyanus Cornflower 7 Sonchus asper Prickly Sow-Thistle 2 Lactuca perennis Blue Lettuce 2 Myecelis muralis Wall Lettuce 2

France – The Dordogne Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name Day first seen

Lapsana communis Nipplewort 2

LILACEAE Anthericum liliago St Bernard's Lily 5 Asphodelus albus White Asphodel 7 Lilium martagon Martagon Lily 6 Ornithogalum umbellatum Common Star of Bethlehem 3 O. pyrenaicum Bath Asparagus 2 Convalleria majus Lily of the Valley 5 Polygonatum multiflorum Common Solomon's Seal 3 Ruscus aculeatus Butcher's Broom 2

DIOSCOREACEAE Tamus communis Black Bryony 2

IRIDACEAE Iris pseudacorus Yellow Flag 2

ARACEAE Arum italicum Large Cuckoo Pint 2

ORCHIDACEAE E. helleborine Broad-leaved Helleborine 2 C. longifolia Sword-leaved Helleborine 2 Limodorum abortivum Violet Limodore 2 Himantoglossum hircinum Lizard Orchid 2 Neottia nidus-avis Bird's-nest orchid 3 Listera ovata Twayblade 2 Platanthera bifolia Lesser Butterfly Orchid 4 P. chlorantha Greater Butterfly Orchid 2 Gymnadenia conopsea Fragrant Orchid 6 Aceras anthropophorum Man Orchid 5 Anacamptis pyramidalis Pyramidal Orchid 2 Orchis mascula Early Purple Orchid 6 O. morio Green-winged Orchid 5 O. purpurea Lady Orchid 2 O. simia Monkey Orchid 4 O. ustulata Burnt-tip Orchid 2 O. laxiflora Lax-flowered Orchid 4 Serapias lingua Tongue Orchid 7 Ophrys insectifera Fly Orchid 4 O. apifera Bee Orchid 3 O. scolopax Woodcock Orchid 2