June 19, 2006
Lac des Joux: flowers, insects and not many birds
This weekend's plans for hiking in the Alps (read Wallcreeper search) were changed when the weather forecast predicted thunderstorms over the whole weekend. Instead I headed back to the Vallee des Joux in the hope of finding Scarlet Rosefinch (Roselin cramoisi), a scarce breeder here. I didn't. In fact, bird activity was generally pretty low, perhaps due to the fairly strong wind blowing through the valley. One bird which did oblige was this smart male Serin (Serin cini).
The breeding colony of Fieldfares (Grive litorne) was noisy as ever, although the birds were tricky to see foraging in the long grass.
I came across some wonderful flowers around the lakeshore, including several Military Orchids.
Sadly flower ID is not my forte, so not sure about the identities of the next two. Is this some sort of Marsh Orchid?
These blue iris(?) were striking.
Insects included my lifer Chequered Skipper
a well-camouflaged Pine Hawk Moth
and a smart Four-spotted Chaser.
This fresh-looking Small Tortoiseshell chose a rather unsavoury perch on this dead Carrion Crow (Corneille noire).
Here's a somewhat healthier-looking individual!
