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.
No reptiles at the cloudy coast.
A nice natural pond, where I found five species of herps in the dark.
Artificial dew ponds can be amphibian hotspots, too. This ugly place delivered some welcome findings.
A commod toad after rescuing it from the road.
If you only call persistently...
...you will be heard.
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.
Another one at a different place.
Tadpole of Pelodytes punctatus?
Who is eating Lissotriton helveticus?
In the lack of patience I didn't even try to get a nice aquarium shot of Marbled newt.
I almost run over this cute little guy when parking the car.
The most common amphibian was Mediterranean tree frog. Amazingly large vocal sacs.
A few rays of sunlight allowed to see the second lifer.
One thing I especially like about France are the nice Platanus avenues.
Rutting season?
Now let's go on to the Pelophylax confusion: This one should be Pelophylax perezi, isn't it?
I'm quite sure this is Pelophylax ridibundus.
Pelophylax kl. grafi?
Pelophylax kl. grafi?
Pelophylax kl. grafi?
Giant Orchid.
Probably Narcissus assoanus.
I had to stop over at a known place in Western Switzerland to finally find 2 Asp vipers.
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)