2004 was a mixed season in France. Every year 2 or 3 species are abundant, only to be replaced by different species the following year. In the Spring of 2003 it was A.bella (Morocco Orange Tip) and N.polychloros (Large Tortoiseshell); in Summer the L.bellargus (Adonis Blue) and in the Autumn, T.betulae (Brown Hairstreak) and N polychloros again. In fact, in October, the Large Tortoiseshells were everywhere. In the woods they flew around your head like flies, in groups of 4 or 5 , and were often sunbathing on the beach. In March 2004,after a dry Winter, the first to show was P.baton (Baton Blue) followed by L.celtis (NettleTree Butterfly). I spent some time, two or three feet away, watching these strange butterflies laying, but I was only able to find a few ova. There were hardly any polychlorus, but N.antiopa (Camberwell beauty), while not exactly common, were present in numbers. There were only a few A.bella, but G.cleopatra and G.rhamni (Brimstone) were abundant. Into April, and P.machaon (Swallowtail) began to take over the garden. One morning was especially amazing. For 2or 3 days we had been watching groups of V.cardui (Painted lady) dashing through the forest heading due north. Every few seconds, a group of 15 or so would shoot past: thousands of them, all going in the same direction and with no apparent intention of stopping. Now there is a straggly, stunted lilac tree in the garden (Lilac doesn't do well in SofF- small flower heads about 4ins. long), and for about 3 hours on this one morning, it was totally covered in Painted Ladies and Swallowtails. By lunchtime the Painted ladies had gone, no doubt with sore elbows, and we saw no more until the Summer. (why do I never see butterflies on the much better lilacs in my garden in England?). Common at this time were Z.polyxena and rumina (Spanish and Southern festoons), C.rubi, (Green Hairstreak)and P.daplidice (Bath White). There were fewer L.sinapis (Wood White) around, but, as usual, I.podilirius (Scarce Swallowtail) became very common towards the end of April. Moths to light were thin, with S.pinastri (Pine Hawk), M.lunaris (Lunar Double Stripe), A.villica (Cream Spot Tiger ) and several of the Prominents being the main quantity arrivals. There was a couple of day's rain towards the end of the month, which seemed to bring out a whole host of 'Blues', but we didn't know then that this was to be the last 'proper' rain until October. Late June and the A.iris (PurpleEmperor) were frequent (and the females huge) in the woods, but this was an A.crataegi (Black Veined White) year, and the adults were flying in their thousands. There were plenty of A.ilea and most of the fritillaries did well, but the Clouded yellows were relatively thin. We have an almost black valesina which occurs commonly in the garden every year and also, surprisingly, L.reducta (Southern White Admiral) is a frequent visitor. Again the moths to light were disappointing. All the common hawkmoths appeared, but in very small numbers (apart from D.porcellus (Small Elephant Hawk) which were common) and none of the rarer species turned up. The Catacalas, nymphagogo and fulminea came in their hundreds, and later on in the Summer, elocata and promissa, while the commonest was L.quercus (Oak Eggar) - all pregnant females of course which laid hundreds of ova. S.argentina and H.milhauseri (Tawny Prominent) were frequent trap visitors and in early July, the first A convolvuli were actually taking water from the swimming pool. The big event of the Summer (year, even) though was M.arion. I have searched for the Large Blue for many years and have never managed to see one, but suddenly - there they were - hundreds of them. This was early August and most were fairly worn - but what would they have been like two or three weeks earlier? It really did make my year. By late September things had quietened down and the few Large Tortoiseshells were outnumbered by Camberwell Beauties. (I suppose they must be there, but I've never seen a SMALL Tortoiseshell in France) The C.jasius, of which there were many in 2002, was absent, and still the 'clouded yellows' were thin. As usual Convolvulus Hawks were everywhere, but raising the larvae was difficult as Bindweed was not only very scarce, but even when found, had miniscule leaves. Late in October it rained - but too late to put grass back on the lawn. Hopefully, there will be enough rain during the rest of the Winter and early Spring to actually put some water in the river, and 2005 might then be a good butterfly/moth year.