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Short trip to Hérault department (Southern France)

PostPosted: Fri Apr 04, 2014 7:01 pm
by Thomas Reich
In the end of March I spent three days in the Hérault department in Southern France. Main goal was to add a few species to my twitch list, namely Pelodytes punctatus, Pelophylax kl. grafi, Psammodromus edwarsianus and Podarcis liolepis. Unfortunately the weather was a lot cloudier than forecasted, which lead to a very sparse result in reptiles. In preparation for the trip, I gleaned some ponds where Pelophylax kl. grafi is said to live in order to be sure to get this tricky one. But after returning home my confusion is almost perfect... So please let me know what you think about my Pelophylax findings. I photographed many more, but I don't want to bore you with all these pictures.

Gorges de l'Ardèche on the way to the Montpellier area, offering beautiful views from the cliffs.
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No reptiles at the cloudy coast.
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Phoenicopterus roseus

A nice natural pond, where I found five species of herps in the dark.
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Artificial dew ponds can be amphibian hotspots, too. This ugly place delivered some welcome findings.
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A commod toad after rescuing it from the road.
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Bufo (bufo) spinosus

If you only call persistently...
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Bufo calamita

...you will be heard.
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Bufo calamita

One of my main goals. It took me quite some time to locate one of the calling males! They hid so well in the grass.
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Pelodytes punctatus

Another one at a different place.
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Pelodytes punctatus

Tadpole of Pelodytes punctatus?
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Pelodytes punctatus?

Who is eating Lissotriton helveticus?
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Who is eating Lissotriton helveticus?

In the lack of patience I didn't even try to get a nice aquarium shot of Marbled newt.
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Triturus marmoratus

I almost run over this cute little guy when parking the car.
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Pelobates cultripes

The most common amphibian was Mediterranean tree frog. Amazingly large vocal sacs.
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Hyla meridionalis

A few rays of sunlight allowed to see the second lifer.
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Psammodromus edwarsianus

One thing I especially like about France are the nice Platanus avenues.
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Rutting season? :oops:
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Now let's go on to the Pelophylax confusion: This one should be Pelophylax perezi, isn't it?
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Pelophylax perezi?

I'm quite sure this is Pelophylax ridibundus.
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Pelophylax ridibundus

Pelophylax kl. grafi?
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Pelophylax kl. grafi?

Pelophylax kl. grafi?
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Pelophylax kl. grafi?

Pelophylax kl. grafi?
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Pelophylax kl. grafi?

Giant Orchid.
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Himantoglossum robertianum (formerly Barlia robertiana)
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Probably Narcissus assoanus.
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Narcissus assoanus?

I had to stop over at a known place in Western Switzerland to finally find 2 Asp vipers.
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Vipera aspis in situ


Species list:
Lissotriton helveticus
Triturus marmoratus
Pelodytes punctatus
Pelobates cultripes
Bufo (bufo) spinosus
Bufo calamita
Hyla meridionalis
Pelophylax kl. grafi?
Pelophylax perezi
Pelophylax ridibundus
Podarcis muralis
Lacerta bilineata
Psammodromus edwarsianus
Psammodromus algirus
Natrix natrix (at night hunting for amphibians)
Natrix maura
Vipera aspis (back in Switzerland)

Re: Short trip to Hérault department (Southern France)

PostPosted: Fri Apr 04, 2014 7:32 pm
by Guillaume Gomard
A very nice little trip in this nice region of France. I particularly liked the eaten Lissotriton helveticus picture.

Thomas Reich wrote:One thing I especially like about France are the nice Platanus avenues.
: I completely agree, it used to be more widespread in countryside roads few decades ago, unfortunately it was considered as "too dangerous".

Re: Short trip to Hérault department (Southern France)

PostPosted: Fri Apr 04, 2014 10:57 pm
by Michal Szkudlarek
Thomas, what camera and lenses are You using?

Re: Short trip to Hérault department (Southern France)

PostPosted: Sat Apr 05, 2014 8:23 am
by Niklas Ban
Nice ones. The landscape reminds me of my trip last summer there. :)

Re: Short trip to Hérault department (Southern France)

PostPosted: Sat Apr 05, 2014 2:18 pm
by Thomas Reich
Michal Szkudlarek wrote:Thomas, what camera and lenses are You using?

I used two cameras:
- Panasonic FZ200. Due to its small 1/2.33" sensor the image quality is not too good, but I like its versatility a lot.
- Sony A57 with a 100mm Macro

Re: Short trip to Hérault department (Southern France)

PostPosted: Sat Apr 05, 2014 3:19 pm
by miguel santos
I think that the tadpole eating the newt is a Pelodytes. They normally have quite pronounced mouth and eyes as the one of the picture. Besides the fact that it would be too early for the tadpoles of ther frogs to get that big. Tadpoles of Alytes could be that big but their spiracle is located on the belly.On the picture you can see the spiracle on the left side of the tadpole. That is the exact location for Pelodytes.

All the best,

Luis

Re: Short trip to Hérault department (Southern France)

PostPosted: Sat Apr 05, 2014 4:35 pm
by Laura Bok
Very nice Thomas, thanks for posting! I especially like the pictures of the calling Hyla meridionalis and Bufo calamita.
Regards,
Laura

Re: Short trip to Hérault department (Southern France)

PostPosted: Sat Apr 05, 2014 9:54 pm
by Ronald Zimmerman
Nice shots! :D

Were you also in the Parc Naturel Regional Camargue?

Re: Short trip to Hérault department (Southern France)

PostPosted: Sun Apr 06, 2014 3:30 pm
by Peter Oefinger
Bad luck with the weather but anyhow: nice shots. Nice Psammodromus!

Re: Short trip to Hérault department (Southern France)

PostPosted: Sun Apr 06, 2014 4:49 pm
by Kevin Byrnes
I may be nearly fifty but the road sign did make me laugh. :D