Blue-spot Hairstreak
Satyrium spini © Teresa Farino

Butterfly & moth holidays
in the Picos de Europa

Discover the fabulous diversity of butterflies and moths present in the mountains of northern Spain

Female Scarce Copper
Lycaena virgaureae © Teresa Farino During the week's tour we will explore the forests, haymeadows and high peaks of the valley of Liébana, situated on the southeastern flank of the Picos de Europa, from a comfortable, family-run hotel in Pesaguero. We can expect around 100 species of butterfly from our daily exploits (of a total of 155 recorded in the area), including such memorable creatures as Large Chequered and Marbled Skippers, Apollo, Mountain Clouded Yellow, High Brown and Niobe Fritillaries, Cardinal, Lefèbvre's and Chapman's Ringlets (the latter endemic to northern Spain), Esper's Marbled White, Scarce and Purple-edged Coppers, Spanish Purple Hairstreak and Gavarnie and Dusky Large Blues, amongst a host of others.

A visit to the limestone plateaux of northern Castile should enable us to observe several species not found in the Picos de Europa, including Twin-spot Fritillary and Ripart's Anomalous and Meleager's Blues. Day-flying moths will also be recorded, and might include such delights as Fiery Clearwing, Dew Moth and Feathered Footman, as well as several eye-catching species of burnet and tiger moths.

In searching for butterflies we will, of course, not be ignoring the many other delights of the Picos de Europa, including its spectacular scenery, colourful wildflowers, birds galore and the occasional reptile, amphibian or mammal, as well as having the opportunity to experience a traditional agricultural regime that has remained virtually unchanged for centuries.

Zygaena fausta © Teresa Farino

All the records we collect will be submitted to an ongoing database of the Lepidoptera of Liébana: a project initiated by Teresa in 1988.

For the Children's Special, we might also incorporate a day-trip to the fabulous sandy beaches of the nearby Cantabrian coast.

Southern White Admiral
Limenitis reducta © Teresa Farino

Butterfly & moth holidays in the
Picos de Europa

Leader: Teresa Farino

2010 Dates: Weds. 30 June - Weds. 7 July
Sun. 1 Aug. - Sun. 8 Aug. (Children's Special).

Price: 1,100€, including half-board, en suite accommodation at Posada El Hoyal, picnic lunches, minibus/4WD transport throughout, all entry fees and the services of Teresa Farino as leader. A single-room supplement of 125€ is applicable. Although the cost of the tour is given in euros, clients may pay in sterling, the exchange rate to be calculated at the time of payment using www.oanda.com

For the Children's Special, under 14s qualify for a 20% discount, taking the price to £880; all children must be accompanied by an adult.

This is a land-based tour. Flights and travel insurance (obligatory) are the responsibility of the client.

Pick-up details: Flight schedules for the low-cost airlines have not yet been posted for next summer, but Teresa will be meeting one of the following: the easyJet flight from London Stansted to Asturias or Bilbao, or the Ryanair flight from London Stansted to Santander, depending on prices and times. Further details will be posted here once available.

Alternatively, those travelling to the Picos independently can arrange to meet the group at the hotel on the first evening.

Group size: maximum 8 clients.

Booking information: please contact Teresa Farino for further details and a booking form, or if you have any queries about these tours.

Report of butterflies
and moths seen during
this tour in 2006

E-mail:
Office phone:	(+34) 942 735154
Mobile phone:	(+34) 656 337129
Address:	Apartado de Correos 59 39570 Potes Cantabria Spain

Plum Lappet
Odonestis pruni © Teresa Farino

Other tours in the Picos de Europa:

Reports from past trips to the Picos de Europa:

Related information: