Monday 7 July was our last full day in the Picos. We all fancied a change of scene and Claire wanted more mountain views so my suggestion of a road trip to the village of Cain, 41 miles NW of Potes and approximately a 90 minute drive. Getting there required us to return to Puerto de San Glorio for the fifth time (where I again dipped Citril Finch despite a more extensive search), dropping down through Hoz de Llanaves before turning north in Portillo de la Reina on the LE-2703 towards Cain, breaking new ground for the trip in the process.
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| Bath White, Hoz de Llanaves |
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| Bath White |
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| Bath White |
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| I believe this is the white female form of Berger's Clouded Yellow |
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Berger's Clouded Yellow
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| Berger's Clouded Yellow |
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| Berger's Clouded Yellow |
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| Berger's Clouded Yellow |
A roadside layby full of thistles opposite a small waterfall looked promising for butterflies and indeed it was, producing the only Scarce Swallowtail of the trip, along with good views of Berger's Clouded Yellow and a selection of Fritillaries.
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| Iberian Marbled White |
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| High Brown Fritillary |
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| Grasshopper |
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| Wrong camera settings for this brief view of a Dipper in the Cares Gorge! |
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| I think this one from Puerto de San Glorio is a De Prunner's Ringlet |
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| Underside of what I think is De Prunner's Ringlet |
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| Blue-spot Hairstreak, Mirador del Tombo |
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| Blue-spot Hairstreak, Mirador del Tombo |
The first viewpoint we reached, Mirador de Pandetrave, offered a wide view of the Picos but the tops were shrouded in cloud unfortunately so we pressed deeper into the mountains to Mirador del Tombo, from where even more spectacular views were possible. I had assumed that we would be heading up to reach Cain as we headed deeper into the mountains but in fact the road dropped steeply and became single track with passing places. The rest of the drive to Cain was a delight with the gorge of the River Cares seemingly deepening and narrowing with every turn.
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| Tree Pipit, Puerto de San Glorio |
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| Scarce Copper, Puerto de San Glorio |
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| Scarce Copper, Puerto de San Glorio |
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| Scarce Copper, Puerto de San Glorio |
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| The pines at Puerto de San Glorio which remained stubbornly devoid of Citril Finches throughout our holiday |
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| iPhone panorama from Mirador Del Tombo |
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| Cares Gorge |
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| Mirador Del Tombo |
After a light lunch in Cain, which is almost completely enclosed by high mountains, we retraced our steps, pausing to appreciate a Dipper feeding a youngster on the River Cares - another trip tick - and a Wolf Trap reconstructed by the local community. Another stop at Mirador del Tombo on the return journey produced even better views as the cloud had lifted a bit by this point. After one last dip for Citril Finch at Puerto de San Glorio we headed home reluctantly to pack and get ready for the journey home. It had been an excellent introduction to the Picos and we vowed to return soon, with Cantabrian Brown Bear the main target which everyone is keen to see!
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| I think this might be a Chapman's Ringlet - it was pretty large for an erebia |
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| Upperwing of what I think is Chapman's Ringlet |
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| Upperwing of what I think is Chapman's Ringlet |
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| Underwing of what I think is Chapman's Ringlet |
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| Scarce Swallowtail |
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| Scarce Swallowtail |
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| Cares Gorge |
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| Cares Gorge |
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| Cares Gorge |
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| Cares Gorge |
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| Cares Gorge |
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| Cares Gorge |
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