Mammal Survey Eastern Rhodopes Bulgaria - De Zoogdiervereniging

The Sand boa.from small mud puddles. These animals belonged often of the following groups— Whites (Pieridae),Blues (Lycaenidae) and Fritillaries (Nymphalidae).Tarucus balkanica was rather striking in appearance, as was the impressive Argynnis pandora. Thelatter was frequently and more or less everywhere to be seen.With great ease several Purple hairstreaks (Neozephyrus quercus) could be discovered while sittingon the leaves in oak woodlands. This also applied for the woodlands around the campsite.It was rather a special experience to encounter small groups of Large tortoiseshells (Nymphalis polychloros)instead of Small tortoiseshells (Aglais utricae), in the dark cellars of apartment buildings inthe former mining complex. Most of them were semi-soporific, a state of slumber which we know fromSmall tortoiseshells in the Netherlands during winter.There was one butterfly find in a very unusual place. It concerned Kirinia roxelana, found in a big openkettle in the local museum.7.4. DragonfliesA total of 25 species of dragonflies were discovered. A list of these species is included in AppendixL. Already quite a few species were registered around the small pond at the site of the first transectof live traps. At this place no less than 13 species were seen, for instance the Southern migrant hawker(Aeshna affinis) and the Little Emperor (Anax parthenope).The Onychogomphus forcipatus could frequently be admired along rivers and streams. Calopterygidaewere only present at a limited number of places. Species such as Orthetrum albistylum, Scarlettdragonfly (Crocothemis erythraea) and Red-veined darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii) were common.In small, shadowy ponds beneath bridges, every now and again a Somatochlora meridionalis couldbe spotted. Perhaps needless to say, the appearance of dragonflies was virtually limited to the directsurroundings of rivers. In other areas surface water was rather limited.48 Mammal Survey Eastern Rhodope Bulgaria