Taken me an age to actually get this report written and the photographs sorted, but here we go....
Travelling from 4-17 July, this two-week trip focussed on the butterflies of Sardinia and Corsica, particularly the dozen or so endemic species that should be on the wing, including the dramatic Corsican Swallowtail. Effort was also made to see some of the more notable birds of the two islands, including Eleonora's Falcon, Griffon Vulture, Marmora's Warbler and the two endemics, Corsican Nuthatch and Corsican Finch.
Approximately 65 species of butterfly have been recorded across the two islands, 13 of which are endemic (depending on taxonomy) - of these, most occur on both islands, while three are restricted to just Sardinia. Additionally, distinctive island races of Corsican Silver-studded Studded Blue and Corsican Chalkhill Blue have potential to be upgraded to species level.
The endemic taxa are:
• Corsican Swallowtail (Papilio hospiton)
• Corsican Dappled White (Euchloe insularis)
• Sardinian Blue (Pseudophilotes barbagiae)
• Corsican Idas Blue (Plebejus bellieri)
• Corsican Silver-studded Blue (Plebejus argus corsicus)
• Sardinian Chalkhill Blue (Polyommatus gennargenti)
• Corsican Chalkhill Blue (Polyommatus coridon nufrellensis)
• Corsican Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais ichnusa)
• Corsican Fritillary (Argynnis elisa)
• Corsican Wall Brown (Lasiommata paramegaera)
• Corsican Grayling (Hipparchia neomiris)
• Southern Grayling (Hipparchia aristaeus)
• Sardinian Meadow Brown (Maniola nurag)
• Corsican Heath (Coenonympha corinna)
• Corsican Red-underwing Skipper (Spialia therapne)
Note, Southern Grayling is also considered endemic, as individuals formerly belonging to this species in the Balkans, Sicily and North Africa have now been split into separate species. In addition to the endemics, other notable species that occur on the islands include Two-tailed Pasha, Old World and Scarce Swallowtails, Plain Tiger, Geranium Bronze and both Mediterranean and Pygmy Skippers.
Timing of Trip.
Though the islands bake under a relentless sun in July and the vegetation in the lowlands is largely parched and withered, it is peak season for butterflies in the mountainous areas - particularly the Genneargentu range in Sardinia and the central massive in Corsica. Naturally, it is impossible to see all of the butterflies of Sardinia and Corsica on a single trip - in particular, the endemic Corsican Dappled White and Sardinian Blue both fly in the spring, while many of the others are late summer species. For greatest variety, middle of July is probably ideal - not only are numbers of most mountain species generally high, but traditionally late species such as Sardinian Meadow Brown and both Corsican and Southern Graylings have already emerged, while the generally earlier Corsican Swallowtail is still on the wing. In hindsight, travelling perhaps a week later could have been more optimal - I did not see Corsican Small Tortoiseshell, Corsican Red-underwing Skipper or Sardinian Chalkhill Blue, all of which were probably flying in the days after my trip. Had I travelled in late July however, I think chances of Corsican Swallowtail (my primary target) would have be much reduced.
Travelling from 4-17 July, this two-week trip focussed on the butterflies of Sardinia and Corsica, particularly the dozen or so endemic species that should be on the wing, including the dramatic Corsican Swallowtail. Effort was also made to see some of the more notable birds of the two islands, including Eleonora's Falcon, Griffon Vulture, Marmora's Warbler and the two endemics, Corsican Nuthatch and Corsican Finch.
Approximately 65 species of butterfly have been recorded across the two islands, 13 of which are endemic (depending on taxonomy) - of these, most occur on both islands, while three are restricted to just Sardinia. Additionally, distinctive island races of Corsican Silver-studded Studded Blue and Corsican Chalkhill Blue have potential to be upgraded to species level.
The endemic taxa are:
• Corsican Swallowtail (Papilio hospiton)
• Corsican Dappled White (Euchloe insularis)
• Sardinian Blue (Pseudophilotes barbagiae)
• Corsican Idas Blue (Plebejus bellieri)
• Corsican Silver-studded Blue (Plebejus argus corsicus)
• Sardinian Chalkhill Blue (Polyommatus gennargenti)
• Corsican Chalkhill Blue (Polyommatus coridon nufrellensis)
• Corsican Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais ichnusa)
• Corsican Fritillary (Argynnis elisa)
• Corsican Wall Brown (Lasiommata paramegaera)
• Corsican Grayling (Hipparchia neomiris)
• Southern Grayling (Hipparchia aristaeus)
• Sardinian Meadow Brown (Maniola nurag)
• Corsican Heath (Coenonympha corinna)
• Corsican Red-underwing Skipper (Spialia therapne)
Note, Southern Grayling is also considered endemic, as individuals formerly belonging to this species in the Balkans, Sicily and North Africa have now been split into separate species. In addition to the endemics, other notable species that occur on the islands include Two-tailed Pasha, Old World and Scarce Swallowtails, Plain Tiger, Geranium Bronze and both Mediterranean and Pygmy Skippers.
Timing of Trip.
Though the islands bake under a relentless sun in July and the vegetation in the lowlands is largely parched and withered, it is peak season for butterflies in the mountainous areas - particularly the Genneargentu range in Sardinia and the central massive in Corsica. Naturally, it is impossible to see all of the butterflies of Sardinia and Corsica on a single trip - in particular, the endemic Corsican Dappled White and Sardinian Blue both fly in the spring, while many of the others are late summer species. For greatest variety, middle of July is probably ideal - not only are numbers of most mountain species generally high, but traditionally late species such as Sardinian Meadow Brown and both Corsican and Southern Graylings have already emerged, while the generally earlier Corsican Swallowtail is still on the wing. In hindsight, travelling perhaps a week later could have been more optimal - I did not see Corsican Small Tortoiseshell, Corsican Red-underwing Skipper or Sardinian Chalkhill Blue, all of which were probably flying in the days after my trip. Had I travelled in late July however, I think chances of Corsican Swallowtail (my primary target) would have be much reduced.