France - Carcassonne and Cathar Country

Naturetrek Tour Report 30 April - 7 May 2012

Field of Poppies near Peuch Blanc Woodchat Shrike

Striped Tree Frog Swallowtail

Report and images compiled by Iain Bray

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 France - Carcassonne and Cathar Country

Tour Leaders: Iain Bray Mark Galliot

Participants: Viv Orlov Gillian Stewart David Mason Naomi Ward Christine Dublies Mary Sawyers Tony Anderson Michael McKeon Hilary McKeon Ted Banks Colin Ginger Sheila Ginger Valerie McGregor Averil Campbell

Day 1 Monday 30th April

The majority of the group travelled to Montpellier via Gatwick arriving in the early afternoon ahead of schedule. They were met by the tour leaders who were already in the country (myself having spent the preceding weekend at Gruissan and Mark a permanent resident in France). After loading up our two minibuses we waited for the final two members of our group to join us from the later flight from Leeds. This proved a welcome opportunity to commence the botanising with Mark, who led an exploration of the curbside vegetation of the airport! This turned up several interesting species including: Urospermum, Erodium ciconium and Hoary Cress.

When our group was finally complete we set off along the autoroute on the hour long journey to our hotel in Vinassan. The weather was proving to be unsettled with strong winds and occasional showers – a continuation of the poor weather that seemed to be dogging most of Western Europe this year. Fortunately this was the only bad weather we were to experience and the usual strong Tramontane wind seemed to drop away for the duration of our tour. On arriving at the hotel we were directed to our rooms by the ever hospitable patrons of the Las Mas Pierrot. After settling in we later reconvened to sample some local wines generously provided by our hosts before sitting down to our evening meal. Outside we could hear the songs of the resident Nightingale and Serin; the latter sang every day but provided only fleeting views for the duration of our stay.

Day 2 Tuesday 1st May

After a solid breakfast we packed up the minibuses and set off from the hotel at 8.30am down the coast towards the Leucate Plateau. This rocky limestone headland sits between two coastal lagoons (Leucate and La Palme) and is considered one of the premier bird migration watch points in France as well as being a European protected site for botany.

France - Carcassonne and Cathar Country Tour Report

The wind was blowing gently in from the sea which wasn’t conducive to mass bird movement so we heading inland through the mostly abandoned stone walled enclosures in search of migrants and interesting plants. As we walked we split into two groups – one looking mostly for birds, the other for plants. However both managed a good mixture of the two. These included excellent views of Black-eared Wheatear and Tawny Pipit as well as a Honey Buzzard and many flocks of Bee-eaters passing overhead. Botanically we saw impressive numbers of Asphodel, Aphallanthes, Tragopon hybridum and Field Gladiolus as well as Yellow Ophrys and Giant Orchid.

After passing a relaxing morning at the site we returned to the minibuses for our picnic lunch before heading off again towards the Etang and Salines de La Palme. Here we walked out on a track into the lagoon but unfortunately the saltpans were particularly low this year and supported very little birdlife. We still managed to spot a Common Sandpiper on the edge of trackway as well as several Yellow Wagtails feeding amongst the Sea Samphire and Sea Purslane. After short while we decided to jump back in to the vehicles and move on to our next destination of the Etang de Doul. This site was a new location for this year’s tour and is located on the edge of the coastal town of Peyriac-de-Mer. The area is covered predominately in low grassland and is situated on the banks of a freshwater lake as well as being close to the Etang de Sigean of which it affords magnificent views. Here we explored the vegetation looking for plants and were rewarded with our first Lady and Pyramidal Orchids.

Moving on again we threaded our way over the lagoon causeways towards the next town of Bages. En route we spotted a flock of over 100 Flamingos close to the shore so we pulled over for a closer look and a great photo opportunity. Here we also saw the lovely Iris spuria growing on grassy roadside verges. We then also took the opportunity to walk along to another partially dry lagoon where we were able to watch Kentish Plover, Dunlin and significant numbers of Yellow Wagtails. After returning to the minibuses we headed back to the hotel; along the way we saw good numbers of Black-winged Stilts on the marshes. After a rewarding day and completing the first of our daily sighting lists we enjoyed an excellent meal provided by our hosts accompanied by some very pleasant local wines.

Day 3 Wednesday 2nd May

We woke up to another fine but slightly overcast day. After breakfast some members of the group were able to get good views of a Hoopoe which would turn up occasionally in the garden adjacent to the hotel and could be heard regularly across the village. We set off at our 8.30am for our first of two stops along the Feuilla Pass on the way up into the magnificent Corbières hills. At this stop we found Butcher’s Broom, Mountain Lettuce and Mediterranean Shepherd’s Needle growing in the garrigue adjacent to one of the many vineyards. We also observed a freshly emerged Swallowtail drying its wings on a plant – an extremely bright and beautiful specimen. After here we moved to the top of the pass where we also found Star of Bethlehem, Grey-leaved Cistus and Yellow-horned Poppy as well fantastic views of a pair of Woodchat Shrikes, Tawny Pipit and more distant Rock Bunting.

After some good botanising we drove on to foot of Queribus Castle where we ate a fine lunch on a picnic table overlooking the valley and beneath this impressive frontier fortress. After refuelling some of the group took the short(ish) but steep climb up the castle will others took the opportunity to look around the garrigue (or take a quick doze in the sunshine!).

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France - Carcassonne and Cathar Country Tour Report

Amongst the plants we found we saw Wild Tulip, Early Spider Orchid, Green-winged Orchid and Shrubby Globularia.We also saw a pair of Ravens circling over the massif and Sardinian Warblers amongst the scrub. After reconvening at the vehicles and showing those who took the trip up to the castle a quick view of some of the more interesting plants we saw, we set of to the Galamus Gorges to take in the views and two Blue Rock Thrushes and Crag Martins. We also saw Montpellier Maple and carpets of bright yellow Coronilla minima along the roadside.

Moving on we stopped at an incongruous little roadside site just on the edge of St. Paul de Fenouillet. This place is known (to us at least) for orchids and this year it proved to be exceptional with eight species being packed into a very small area. These included Man, Lady, Sawfly and Dense-flowered Orchids and Sword-leaved Helleborine. After some good botanising and photographic opportunities we set of back to the hotel. The journey home was quite far on this day (over an hour) so by the time we got back we decided to postpone our nightly species listing until the following day in order to rest a little before another splendid dinner.

Day 4 Thursday 3rd May

This morning was similar to the previous – a slightly overcast start but opening up into a fine sunny day. We set off at our now usual time and headed inland to the beautiful village of Minèrve perched on the precipitous confluence of the Cess and Brian Rivers. After a couple of stops to admire the views and steep gorges we parked up and headed down in to the village. On the way we admired Alpine Rockcress and Perennial Honesty growing on verges before dropping beneath the town beside the river. Here we saw Navelwort growing on the rocks and Greater Celandine. Tall trees shaded the valley floor and Hybrid Black Poplar blossom was blowing across us like springtime snow. The birds at this location were more familiar to us from the north with Wrens, Chaffinches, Goldfinches and Blackbirds singing. On reaching the rivers meet we had some fine views of a Blue Rock Thrush perched up on a wall as well as a Rock Bunting on the opposite cliff. We climbed back up through the village and as the weather began to warm we watched Barn Swallows, House Martins and a pair of Red- rumped Swallows feeding above and below us.

On returning to the vehicles we set off of Fontfroide Abbey for a relaxing picnic in the shade before heading in for a very interesting tour of this magnificently restored ancient site. On leaving we paused to buy some postcards and for some a chance to try some local Fontfroide wines. We then set off towards Vinassan taking a detour to the table d’orientation overlooking the Narbonne plains from the Clape massif. From here we saw Lathyrus setifolius and Wild Jasmine as well very distant views of a Spoonbill feeding in some flooded fields beneath. The panoramic view also allowed us a preview of some of our destinations for the following day. On arriving back at the hotel and a chance to freshen up we reconvened for an exhaustive recap of the plants and birds we had seen over the past two days before tucking in to another fine evening meal.

Day 5 Friday 4th May

Today a hardy few of use got up early for a 6.30am stroll up into the Clape hills for some extra-curricular birding. On the way we saw a male Cirl Bunting singing from a garden tree and we heard several Melodious Warblers singing in the Giant Reeds growing on the edge of the scrubby woodland. In the trees we could also hear Nightingales as well as a Short-toed Tree Creeper. On the way back to the hotel we watched a pair of Red Squirrels in the Pine trees around the building before we quickly brushed up and joined the others for breakfast.

France - Carcassonne and Cathar Country Tour Report

After meeting at the minibuses we set off on the short journey to Ile de St. Martin near Gruissan. Along the coast road we saw a flock of around 20 Avocets feeding in pond close to the road as well as a Common Sandpiper and Black-winged Stilt. On arriving at our destination we took a short stroll down to the mudflats where we saw Kentish and Little Plovers as well as some good views of a Tawny Pipit. We then set off on a circular walk taking in the sheltered countryside adjacent to a small vineyard before dropping down beside the Etang d’Ayrolles. On the way we saw Blue Hound’s Tongue, Dwarf Toadflax, Round-leaved Birthwort and Purple Viper’s Bugloss. We also saw a striped tree frog and baton blue butterflies.

After completing our walk we had a fine buffet lunch before taking a slow drive over to the reed beds of the Petit Castelou for some birdwatching. One the way we saw a female Marsh Harrier over the mudflats. Our walk also yielded Zitting Cisitcola, Purple Heron, Cetti’s Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Black Kite as well as Coypu, massive Grey Mullets in the ditches and a Round-leaved Birthwort with larvae of the Spanish Festoon butterfly feeding on it. As the water levels were fairly high, the numbers of wading birds were not abundant so we decided to take in an extra stop to look over the Salines de l’Ile St. Martin. Here we saw Sandwich Terns overhead, a handful of Dunlin in summer plumage, a Redshank and Little Stint.

By now the botanists were getting a little thirsty so we drove over the wooded foot of the Clape hills near the commune of Tintaine. En route we had a close view of a female Montague’s Harrier flying across a vineyard before parking up to search out some plants. Wild Boar (and possibly orchid hunters) are active in this area so pickings have become a little slim over the years however we still managed to find a Yellow Ophrys and a fine flowering Violet Limodore amongst the glades of the Pine trees. As this was our last stop we then headed back to the hotel. After an hour or so we met up in the dining room to review our days findings. This was then followed by yet more tasty dishes served by our hosts.

Day 6 Saturday 5th May

This morning we headed north along the coast. After a fairly short drive we arrived at the edge of Vendres village beside the fresh water lagoon bearing the same name. Here we made the short stroll up to the Vestiges of the Temple of Venus, a small ruinous mound affording fantastic views over the reed beds and open water. From here amongst other birds we had watched Large Egret, Black-winged Stilt, Great Reed Warbler and Red-crested Pochard at close quarters as well as Whiskered Tern and Bearded Reedling.

After this we moved onwards to Peuch Blanc which lies at the edge of the grazing marsh and the littoral. Here saw Corn Buntings on what seemed like every perch as well as Hobby, Common Buzzard and Kestrels flying overhead. We took a stroll towards the known Eagle Owl roosting/nesting site to find Shelduck and Jackdaw in their usual place on the rock face. After some searching, and thinking they were not there, a keen eyed member of the group spotted one roosting in a tree but unfortunately it flushed and its mate was not long to follow. One or two of us had good but brief views, but for most of us we had just a quick sighting of these massive birds!

It was now time for lunch, during which we found some Glanville Fritillaries and Common Blue butterflies. On moving on we stopped to take some pictures of a field awash with Common Poppies. Whilst taking in the view some scanning of the nearby Tamarisk trees revealed a Great Spotted Cuckoo roosting in the low branches away from the early afternoon sunshine. Not perturbed by our presence we all had some excellent views through the telescope.

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France - Carcassonne and Cathar Country Tour Report

We now drove to the Lac de Pissevaches, a large shallow saline lake to the south. On the way along a quiet back road we had some extremely close views of a pair of Rollers sitting up on a telephone wire. We paused to look as long as we dared as some less enthusiastic locals were slightly put out by our presence on their back roads. We eventually arrived at the water treatment works near the lagoon. Here we watched a wealth of birds including Slender-billed Gull, Black-winged Tern, Little Gull, Little Tern, Bar-tailed Godwit, a colony of Sandwich Terns and more Mediterranean Gulls.

We then made tracks towards our next stop but found that we had been beaten to it by a kite-surfing festival. Presuming any wildlife would most likely have cleared off and not having our wet-suits with us we decided to carry on and head up into the Clape hills for a new walk near the village of Armissan. Back in amongst the garrigue we saw Tree Heather, French Lavender and Sessile Oak as well as some Green Hairstreak butterflies, a Honey Buzzard and a Dartford Warbler. This peaceful picturesque location also offered some great views over the hills and was a relaxing way to round off the day.

Day 7 Sunday 6th May

This was our last full day out in the field. Following some minor changes to the order of our itinerary for this tour we headed inland to the beautiful monastic village of La Grasse on the edge of the Alaric Mountains. Here we spent the morning exploring the floristic fringes and orchards before weaving our way back through the heart of the clustered ancient buildings. Whilst overlooking the river from one of the bridges we saw Common Sandpipers, Grey and White Wagtails as well as House Martins collecting mud to build their nests Up on a small nature reserve overlooking the village we found a large colony of Man Orchids and an Early Spider Orchid as well as a Firecrest and Blue Rock Thrush on a derelict building across the valley.

After reassembling back at the minibuses we moved on to a secluded picnic area for another filling lunch. We then pressed on to the magnificent walled city of Carcassonne. With the afternoon ahead of us we went our separate ways to explore the sites as well as to relax in one of the many cafés to sample some delicious ice- creams and drink coffee. On waiting for the group to return a few of use took the opportunity to look for some orchids on the car park embankment where we were rewarded with three species including masses of Ophrys lutea. After a thoroughly relaxing day and some great cultural sightseeing we headed back to the hotel. This was to be our last time going through our now long list of interesting plants, birds and other wildlife. After wrapping up we heartily enjoyed another fine evening meal and glasses of wine.

Day 8 Monday 7th May

This was our last day in France but as our flights were not until the afternoon we still had a chance to enjoy what the local countryside had to offer. A few of us headed out of the village, under the autoroute and up in to the Calpe hills. Here we saw Spotted Rockrose as well as Sardinian Warblers and more Nightingales. After an enjoyable circular walk we returned to the hotel for a buffet lunch on the terrace before reluctantly leaving for the airport at Montpellier. On arriving we said goodbye to Mark who as leaving by train and eventually to two other members of our group who were leaving on a later flight to Leeds.

During our tour we managed to see (or hear) 118 species of birds, 23 species of butterflies and 14 species of orchids.

Tour Report France - Carcassonne and Cathar Country

Species List

Birds English name Scientific name English name Scientific name

Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa European Bee-eater Merops apiaster Common Pheasant Phasianus colchicus Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator Gadwall Anas strepera Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Eurasian Magpie Pica pica Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata Western Jackdaw Coloeus monedula Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina Carrion Crow Corvus corone Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis Northern Raven Corvus corax Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus Great Tit Parus major Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus Eurasian Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus White Stork Ciconia ciconia Bearded Reedling Panurus biarmicus Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia Crested Lark Galerida cristata Western Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis Grey Heron Ardea cinerea Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica Purple Heron Ardea purpurea Eurasian Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris Western Great Egret Ardea alba Common House Martin Delichon urbicum Little Egret Egretta garzetta Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo Cetti's Warbler Cettia cetti European Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus Black Kite Milvus migrans Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita Short-toed Snake Eagle Circaetus gallicus Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus Western Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus Montagu's Harrier Circus pygargus Eurasian Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus Melodious Warbler Hippolais polyglotta Common Buzzard Buteo buteo Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus Eurasian Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo Western Orphean Warbler Sylvia hortensis Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus Dartford Warbler Sylvia undata Eurasian Coot Fulica atra Subalpine Warbler Sylvia cantillans Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus Common Firecrest Regulus ignicapilla Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta Goldcrest Regulus regulus Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula Winter Wren Troglodytes troglodytes Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus Short-toed Treecreeper Certhia brachydactyla Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris Common Redshank Tringa totanus Common Blackbird Turdus merula Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos European Robin Erithacus rubecula Little Stint Calidris minuta Common Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos Dunlin Calidris alpina Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros Slender-billed Gull Chroicocephalus genei Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus Black-eared Wheatear Oenanthe hispanica ridibundus Mediterranean Gull Ichthyaetus Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius melanocephalus Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis House Sparrow Passer domesticus Sandwich Tern Thalasseus sandvicensis Rock Sparrow Petronia petronia

France - Carcassonne and Cathar Country Tour Report

English name Scientific name English name Scientific name Little Tern Sternula albifrons Dunnock Prunella modularis Common Tern Sterna hirundo Western Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea

Black tern Chlidonias niger White Wagtail Motacilla alba Common Pigeon Columba livia Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris Common Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus Common Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto European Serin Serinus serinus Great Spotted Cuckoo Clamator glandarius European Greenfinch Carduelis chloris Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus Eurasian Siskin Carduelis spinus Eurasian Eagle Owl Bubo bubo European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis Tawny Owl Strix aluco Common Linnet Carduelis cannabina Common Swift Apus apus Corn Bunting Emberiza calandra European Roller Coracias garrulus Cirl Bunting Emberiza cirlus

Plants Family Scientific name Common Name

ACERACEAE Acer monspessulanum Montpellier Maple AIZOACEAE Carpobrotus edulis Hottentot Fig AMARYLLIDACEAE Narcissus papyraceus Paperwhite Narcissus ANACARDIACEAE Pistachia lentiscus Mastic Tree Pistacia terebinthus Turpentine Tree APIACEAE Anthriscus sylvestris Cow Parsley Eryngium campestre Field Eryngo Foeniculum vulgare Fennel Oenanthe lachenalii Parsley Water Dropwort Scandix australis Southern Shepherd's Needle Scandix pecten-veneris Shepherd's Needle Smyrnium olusatrum Alexanders Torilis nodosa Knotted Hedge Parsley Trinia glauca Honewort ARACEAE Arum italicum Large Cuckoo Pint ARISTOLOCHIACEAE Aristolochia clematitis Birthwort Aristolochia pistolochia - Aristolochia rotunda Round-leaved Birthwort BIGNONIACEAE Jacaranda ovalifolia Jacaranda BORAGINACEAE Anchusa arvensis Small Bugloss Anchusa italica Italian Bugloss Borago officinalis Borage Cynoglossum creticum Blue Hound's Tongue Cynoglossum officianale Hound's Tongue Echium asperrimum Rough Italian Bugloss Echium plantagineum Purple Viper's Bugloss Echium vulgare Viper's Bugloss Myosotis arvense Field Forget-me-not BUXACEAE Buxus sempervirens Box CAPRIFOLIACEAE Lonicera implexa - Sambucas nigra Common Elder CARYOPHYLLACEAE Cerastium pumilum Dwarf Mouse-ear Paronychia capitata - Silene gallica Small-flowered Catchfly Silene italica Italian Catchfly

France - Carcassonne and Cathar Country Tour Report

Family Scientific name Common Name Silene nutans Nottingham Catchfly Silene vulgaris Bladder Campion Spergularia marina Lesser Sea-spurrey Spergularia media Greater Sea-spurrey CELASTRACEAE Euonymus europaeus Spindle CHENOPODIACEAE Anthrocnemum perenne Perennial Glasswort Beta vulgaris subsp. maritima Sea Beet Halimione portaculoides Sea Purslane Salicornia europaea Sea Samphire Suaeda vera Shrubby Seablite CISTACEAE Cistus albidus Grey-leaved Cistus Cistus monspeliensis Narrow-leaved Cistus Cistus salvifolius Sage-leaved Cistus Fumana thymifolia Thyme-leaved Fumana Helianthemum appeninum White Rockrose Helianthemum canum Hoary Rockrose Tuberaria guttata Spotted Rockrose CNEORACEAE Cneorum tricocon Cneorum COMPOSITEAE Anthemis mixta - Arctium lappa agg. Greater Burdock Aster tripolium Sea Aster Bellis perennis Daisy Calendula arvensis Field Marigold Cirsium arvensis Creeping Thistle Cirsium vulgare Spear Thistle Dittrichia viscosa Aromatic Inula Evax pygmea Pygmy Cudweed Galactites tomentosa Galactites Helichrysum italicum - Helichrysum stoechas - Hypochaeris maculata Spotted Cat's-ear Inula ensifolia - Lactuca perennis Mountain Lettuce Matricaria maritima Sea Mayweed Senecio vulgaris Common Groundsel Silybum marianum Milk Thistle Tragopogon hybridum - Tragopogon porrifolius Salsify Tragopogon pratensis Goat's-beard Tragopon crocifolius - Urospermum dalechampii Urospermum CONVOLVULACEAE Calystegia sepium Hedge Bindweed Convolvulus althaeoides Mallow-leaved Bindweed Convolvulus lanuginosus - CRASSULACEAE Sedum acre Wallpepper Sedum dasyphyllum Thick-leaved Stonecrop Sedum ochroleucon - Umbilicus rupestris Navelwort CRUCIFEREAE Alyssum alyssoides Small Alison Arabis alpina Alpine Rockcress Arabis hirsuta Hairy Rockcress Arabis turrita Tower Cress Biscutalla laevigata Buckler Mustard

France - Carcassonne and Cathar Country Tour Report

Family Scientific name Common Name Brassica nigra Black Mustard Cardamine pratensis Cuckoo Flower (Lady's Smock) Cardaria draba Hoary Cress Cheiranthus cheiri Wallflower Hormatophylla spinosa - Hornungia petraea Hutchinsia Lactuca virosa Great Lettuce Lobularia maritima Sweet Alison Lunaria annua Honesty Raphanus raphanistrum Wild Radish CUCURBITACEAE Bryonia cretica White Bryony CUPRESSACEAE Cupressus sempervirens Italian Cypress Juniperus oxycedrus Prickly Juniper Juniperus phoenicia Phoenician Juniper CYPERACEAE Carex acutiformis Lesser Pond Sedge Carex extensa Long-bracted Sedge Carex otrubae False Fox Sedge Carex pendula Pendulous Sedge Carex riparia Greater Pond Sedge DIPSACACEAE Dipsacus fullonum Wild Teasel Scabiosa atropurpurea Mournful Widow EPHEDRACEAE Ephedra major Large Joint Pine EQUISETACEAE Equisetum arvense Field Horsetail Equisetum palustre Marsh Horsetail ERICACEAE Calluna vulgaris Ling Erica arborea Tree Heather EUPHORBIACEAE Euphorbia characias Large Mediterranean Spurge Euphorbia cypariassias Cypress Spurge Euphorbia exigua Dwarf Spurge Euphorbia helioscopia Sun Spurge Euphorbia seguieriana - Euphorbia serrata - Euphorbia terracina - Mercurialis annua Annual Mercury FAGACEAE Quercus coccifera Kermes Oak Quercus ilex Holm Oak Quercus petraea Sessile Oak Quercus pubescens Downy Oak FUMARIACEAE Fumaria capreolata Ramping Fumitory Fumaria densiflora Dense-flowered Fumitory Fumaria muralis Wall Fumitory GERANIACEAE Erodium ciconium - Erodium cicutarium Common Stork's-bill Erodium malacoides Mallow-leaved Stork's-bill Erodium petraeum subsp. crispum Rock Stork's-bill Geranium lucidum Shining Cranesbill Geranium purpureum Little Robin Geranium robertianum Hert Robert Geranium rotundiflolium Round-leaved Cranesbill GLOBULARIACEAE Globularia alypum Shrubby Globularia IRIDACEAE Gladiolus italicus Field Gladiolus Iris germanica Bearded German Iris Iris lutescens Dwarf Iris

France - Carcassonne and Cathar Country Tour Report

Family Scientific name Common Name Iris pseudacorus Yellow Flag Iris spuria Blue Iris JUGLANDACEAE Juglans regia Common Walnut JUNCACEAE Juncus acutus Sharp Rush Juncus maritimus Sea Rush LABIATEAE Lamium amplexicaule Henbit Dead-nettle Lamium purpureum Red Dead-nettle Lavandula stoechas French Lavander Lycopus europaeus Gypsywort Phlomis lychnitis - Rosemarinus officinalis Rosemary Salvia verbenaca Wild Clary Stachys recta Perennial Yellow Woundwort Thymus vugaris Wild Thyme LAURACEAE Laurus nobilis Sweet Bay LEGUMINOSAE Argyrolobium zanonii - Anthyllis vulneraria Kidney Vetch Astralagus monspessulanus Montpellier Milk Vetch Calicotome spinosa subsp infesta Thorny Broom Cercis siliquastrum Judas Tree Coronilla emerus Scorpion Senna Coronilla minima Small Scorpion Vetch Coronilla scorpioides Annual Scorpion Vetch Dorycnium pentaphyllum - Genista hispanica Spanish Gorse Genista scorpius - Hippocrepis comosa Horshoe Vetch Lathyrus aphaca Yellow Vetchling Lathyrus setifolius - Lathyrus sphaericus Medicago arabica Spotted Medick Medicago minima Small Medick Medicago suffruticosa - Ononis striata Striate Restharrow Scorpius muricatus - Spartium junceum Spanish Broom Trifolium campestre Hop Trefoil Trifolium dubium Lesser Trefoil Trifolium pratense Red Clover Trifolium repens White Clover Trifolium stellatum Star Clover Vicia hybrida Hairy Yellow Vetch Vicia lathyroides Spring Vetch Vicia sativa Common Vetch LILACEAE Allium roseum Rosy Garlic Anthericum liliago St. Bernard's Lily Aphyllanthes monspeliensis Aphyllanthes Asparagus acutifolius Prickly Asparagus Asphodelus aestivus Common Asphodel Asphodelus fistulosus Hollow-leaved Asphodel Muscari comosum Tassel Hyacinth Muscari neglectum Common Grape Hyacinth Ornithogalum pyrenaicum Bath Asparagus

France - Carcassonne and Cathar Country Tour Report

Family Scientific name Common Name Ornithogalum umbellatum Common Star of Bethlehem Ruscus aculeatus Butcher's Broom Smilax aspera Common Smilax Tulipa australis Wild Tulip LINACEAE Linum bienne Pale Flax Linum narbonense Narbonne Flax MALVACEAE Althaea officinalis Marsh Mallow Lavatera arborea Tree Mallow Malva sylvestris Common Mallow MORACEAE Ficus carica Fig Morus alba White Mulberry OLEACEAE Fraxinus excelsior Ash Fraxinus ornus Manna Ash Jasminum fructicaus Wild Jasmine Olea europaea Olive Phillyrea angustifolia - ORCHIDACEAE Anacamptis pyramidalis Pyramidal Orchid Anacamptis morio subsp picta Green-winged Orchid Cephalanthera longifolia Sword-leaved Helleborine Himantoglossum robertianum Giant Orchid Limodorum arbortivum Violet Limodore Neottinea maculata Dense-flowered Orchid Ophrys lutea subsp. lutea Yellow Ophrys Ophrys scolopax Woodcock Orchid Ophrys tethendrinifera Sawfly Orchid Ophrys virescens an Early spider Orchid sp Ophyrys araneola Small Spider Orchid Orchis anthropophorum Man Orchid Orchis purpurea Lady Orchid Serepias vomeracea Plow-share Serapias OROBANCHACEAE Orobanche alba Thyme Broomrape Orobanche crenata - OXALIDACEAE Oxalis articulata Pink Oxalis PAPAVERACEAE Chelidonium majus Greater Celandine Glaucium flavum Yellow Horned-poppy Papaver dubium Pale Poppy Papaver rhoeas Common Poppy PINACEAE Pinus halepensis Umbrella Pine Pinus pinea Stone Pine PITTOSPORACEAE Pittosporum tobira - PLANTAGINACEAE Plantago afra - Plantago bellardii - Plantago coronopus Buck's-horn Plantain Plantago maritima Sea Plantain POACEAE Aegilops geniculata - Arundo donax Giant Reed Briza minor Small Quaking Grass Bromus madritensis Compact Brome Bromus hordeaceus Soft Brome Dactylis glomerata Cock's-foot Hordeum murinum Wall Barley Phragmites australis Common Reed Sesleria caerulea Blue Moor Grass

France - Carcassonne and Cathar Country Tour Report

Family Scientific name Common Name POLYGONACEAE Rumex asectosella Sheep's Sorrel POLYPODIACEAE Polypodium cambricum Southern Polypody PRIMULACEAE Anagallis arvensis Scarlet Pimpernell Anagallis foemina Blue Pimpernell Primula veris Cowslip RANUNCULACEAE Clematis flammula Fragrant Clematis Clematis vitalba Traveller's Joy Helleborus foetidus Stinking Hellebore Hepatica nobilis Common Hepatica Ranunculus graminifolius Grass-leaved Buttercup RESEDACEAE Reseda alba White Mignonette Reseda phyteuma Corn Mignonette Sesamoides pygmaea Sesamoides RHAMNACEAE Rhamnus alaternus Mediterranean Buckthorn ROSACEAE Amelanchier ovalis Amelanchier (Snowy Mespilus) Crataegus azarolus Mediterranean Medlar Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn Poterium verrucosum Mediterranean Salad Burnet Prunus dulcis Almond Prunus mahaleb St. Lucie Cherry Prunus spinosa Blackthorn Rosa canina Common Dog Rose Rubus fruticosus agg Bramble Sanguisorba minor Salad Burnet RUBIACEAE Galium aparine Cleavers Galium lucidum Shining Bedstraw Rubia peregrina Wild Madder Rubia tinctorum Madder Valantia muralis - RUTACEAE Ruta chalepensis Fringed Rue SALICACEAE Populus alba White Poplar Populus x canadensis Hybrid Black Poplar SANTALACEAE Osyris alba Osyris SAXIFRAGACEAE Saxifraga pentadactylus - Saxifraga tridactylites Rue-leaved Saxifrage SCROPHULARACEAE Antirrhinum majus Snapdragon Chaenorrhinum origanifolium Dwarf Snapdragon Cymbalaria muralis Ivy-leaved Toadflax Linaria supina Dwarf Toadflax Verbascum phlomoides Orange Mullein Veronica persica Common Field Speedwell Veronica prostrata - SOLANACEAE Hyoscyamus albus White Henbane Solanum nigrum Black Nightshade TAMARICACEAE Tamaris gallica Tamarisk ULMACEAE Ulmus glabra Wych Elm URTICACEAE Parietaria judaica Pellitory of the Wall Parietaria officianalis Mediterranean Pellitory Urtica dioica Common Nettle Urtica pilulifera Roman Nettle VALERIANACEAE Centranthus calcitrapa - Centhrantus ruber Red Valerian Valeriana tripteris Three-leaved Valerian

France - Carcassonne and Cathar Country Tour Report

Family Scientific name Common Name Valerianella discoidea Mediterranean Lamb's Lettuce

Butterflies Family Common Name Scientific Name

PAPILIONIDAE Swallowtail Papilio machaon Scarce swallowtail Iphiclides podalarius Spanish festoon Zerynthia rumina PIERIDAE Cleopatra Gonepteriyx cleopatra Berger's Clouded Yellow Colias alfacarinesis Large white Pieris brassicae Black-veined white Aporia crataegi Orange tip Anthocharis cardamines Southern Small White Pieris mannii LYCAENIDAE Small copper Lycaena phlaeas Common blue Polyommatus icarus Baton blue Pseudophilotes baton Black-eyed blue Glaucopsyche melanops Brown argus Aricia agestis Green hairstreak Calaphrys rubi NYMPHALIDAE Painted lady Vanessa cardui Red admiral Vanessa atalanta Granville fritillary Melitaea cinxia Queen of Spain fritillary Issoria lathonia Southern White Admiral Limenitis reducta SATYRINAE Speckled wood Pararge aegeria Wall brown Lasiommata megera Western marbled white Melanargia occitanica

Other Taxa Taxon Common Name Scientific Name Invertebrates Preying Mantis Mantis religiosa Cream-spot Tiger Arctia villica Clouded Magpie Abraxas sylvata Grass Eggar Lasiocampa trifolii Rose Chaffer Cetonia aurata Reptiles Wall lizard Podarcis muralis Amphibian Marsh Frog Pelophylax ridibunda Mammals Coypu Myocastor coypus Red Squirrel Sciurus vulgaris Fish Grey Mullet Mugil labeo

France - Carcassonne and Cathar Country Tour Report

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