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Reposted by Andrew Lipczyński

Chris van Swaay @chrisvanswaay.eurosky.social · 22/09/2026

This is most probably C hyale, which is a highly mobile migrant species from C Europe. Adults cannot be distinguished from C alfacariensis. However that seems to be a sedentary species from calcareous grassland with Hippocrepis, hardly known from outside its habitat patches.

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Reposted by Andrew Lipczyński

sandwichbirdobs.bsky.social @sandwichbirdobs.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

A closer look at a presumed helice Clouded Yellow (C.crocea) from the Sandwich Bay Estate yesterday. Restricted black on trailing edge of hindwing, pale submarginal spots not encircled in black, and washed out yellow ground colour look good for Pale/Berger's Clouded Yellow (C.hyale/alfacariensis)?

Clouded Yellow butterfly species in flight

Clouded Yellow butterfly species on flower

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Andrew Lipczyński @andrewlipczynski.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Re. Buff-breasted Sandpipers, I recall 1 (or was it a pair?) at Blagdon Lake in October 1986. Then refrained from twitching to focus on my patch @sandwichbirdobs.bsky.social. Long wait until 17th Sept 2022 when Martin 'Radar' Sutherland found one on the shore - nearly bust a gut running #KentBirding

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Andrew Lipczyński @andrewlipczynski.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Review of New Birds of Sheffield & mention of late David Herringshaw in latest @britishbirds.bsky.social prompted a flashback to 11th Sept 1975. Biking out to Redmires on my red Dawes racer with a pair of Dixons 10x50 Specials slung round my neck & finding a Buff-breasted Sandpiper #yorkshirebirding

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Andrew Lipczyński @andrewlipczynski.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

The confiding juvenile Dotterel found on the shingle @sandwichbirdobs.bsky.social this morning attracted a small steady procession of respectful admirers, only troubled by some wind-blown litter and no doubt bemused by it's probable first contact with homo snapiens 📷🤳 #Kentbirding #Kentnature

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Andrew Lipczyński @andrewlipczynski.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

A recent phenomenon @sandwichbirdobs.bsky.social has been fish fry shoals driving gulls & terns into feeding frenzies. Today in flat calm & light drizzle, action was close inshore with at least 5 Black Terns. Not quite Attenborough-esque but video footage attached for your delectation #KentBirding

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Andrew Lipczyński @andrewlipczynski.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

A calm warm sunny morning perfect for a late season trip to Kingsdown Leas. Scanning the Everlasting Pea fortunate to find one worn Long-tailed Blue. Several Adonis were still on the wing, inc this ♂️which had me 🤔 😕 as it had lost its internal hindwing spots @savebutterflies.bsky.social #KentNature

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Andrew Lipczyński @andrewlipczynski.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

With recent White-winged (old school Black) Terns at 'Stodders' & 'Dunge', it should have been more on our radar, so it was a nice surprise when an adult was picked out from the now usual melee of terns & gulls plus occasional skua during this morning's seawatch @sandwichbirdobs.bsky.social.

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Andrew Lipczyński @andrewlipczynski.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Well they do say good things come in threes & so it was again this time @sandwichbirdobs.bsky.social moffice. Passenger was new for recording area after a near miss in Sandwich Aug 2019, Cosmopolitan was only 2nd after one Aug 2011 while Barred Hook-tip was 4th after 2 in Sept 82 & Sept 92 #teammoth

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Andrew Lipczyński @andrewlipczynski.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

A rare 3 Skua day @sandwichbirdobs.bsky.social. A dainty dark morph juv Long-tailed Skua getting as good as it gave, then 3 Arctics one of which pursued Sarnies over the shore. In the afternoon, a dark Pomarine barrelled thru. Back at base a Kind of Blue moff here in Birdland #TeamMoth #KentBirding

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Andrew Lipczyński @andrewlipczynski.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Isn't it good, Norwegian Wood? (This Bird has Flown!)

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Andrew Lipczyński @andrewlipczynski.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Painted Lady still on the wing @sandwichbirdobs.bsky.social - well, just about. It's been a long hot summer and I too am feeling a bit frayed around the edges. @savebutterflies.bsky.social #KentNature

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Reposted by Andrew Lipczyński

UKBMS @ukbms.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Just published: UK and England butterfly population indicators using UKBMS data. These show a long-term decline in the all-species index in the UK of 18% and a 37% decline for habitat specialists in the UK. Check out the full statistics here ⬇️ www.gov.uk/government/s...

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Andrew Lipczyński @andrewlipczynski.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Lesser Crested Tern, Pegwell Bay, August 22nd 1996. First for @sandwichbirdobs.bsky.social and second for Kent following first at @dungenessbirdobs.bsky.social 6th May 1989 both presumed to be the bird that frequented the Farnes. High time for another #KentBirding but will settle for a Sooty 🙏

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Reposted by Andrew Lipczyński

Alexander Lees @alexanderlees.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

Our new commentary rdcu.be/ftx6h in @natecoevo.nature.com written with folks from @inaturalist.bsky.social and @cornellbirds.bsky.social shows that use of AI to manipulate existing or create new wildlife images undermines the huge value of vast citizen science databases. 🌍🪰🪶 #Ornithology 🧵 1/10

rdcu.be

Citizen science platforms must mitigate against the threat of generative AI

Nature Ecology & Evolution - Citizen science platforms must mitigate against the threat of generative AI

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Andrew Lipczyński @andrewlipczynski.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Had given up searching for the Red-backed Shrike at the Back of Beyond Roaring Gutter (aka Hacklinge Marshes, Lydden Valley, Worth) when up it popped 300 metres away from where first found yesterday. #KentBirding Always happy to expend a handful of pixels capturing a Shrike in a Bush

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Andrew Lipczyński @andrewlipczynski.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

At last, a free day to brave the M25/Dartford Tunnel & visit the River Stour estuary at Cattawade in Suffolk to twitch the Hud'wit. Picking up a/the bird quickly in the salt-marsh, it was 45 mins before it displayed its diagnostic underwing pattern (never a doubt😬) & another hour to grab a photo.

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Andrew Lipczyński @andrewlipczynski.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

There were 'calcarius' where the reddish postdiscal band on fore-wing upperside extended basally &/or with more marked ocelli on hind-wing upperside. Possibly gender differences 🤔 -but also similar to Common Brassy Ringlet, E. cassioides. Does it occur in Slovenia 🤔 @europebutterfly.bsky.social

Presumed Lorkovic's Brassy Ringlet, Erebia calcarius, Mangart, Triglav National Park, NW Slovenia

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Andrew Lipczyński @andrewlipczynski.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Primary target was the endemic & local Lorkovic's Brassy Ringlet, Erebia calcarius, of which there were many to study & photo. Water, E. pronoe & Yellow-spotted Ringlets, E. m. manto were also plentiful. However we were probably 2-3 weeks past the peak (exacerbated by the heat) for the other Erebia.

Mount Mangart (Mangrt), Triglav National Park, Julian Alps, NW Slovenia

Lorkovic's Brassy Ringlet, Erebia calcarius, Mangart (Mangrt), Triglav National Park, Julian Alps, NW Slovenia

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Andrew Lipczyński @andrewlipczynski.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Up to the high pass (2072m) on Slovenia/Italy border below Mt Mangart (Mangrt) at 2679m. Spectacular views but car parks rammed with walkers & folks escaping the heat. Indeed on both days the mountain was 'full' & we were turned away - until I showed my @savebutterflies.bsky.social card. Honest!

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Andrew Lipczyński @andrewlipczynski.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Back from a week in Slovenia with @greenwingstours.bsky.social led by Lajos Nemeth. Some highlights follow. An all too brief visit (I could have done with a week or two!) to a legendary dragonfly hot spot - the Šijec Bog on the Pokljuka plateau in the Triglav National Park in NW Slovenia.

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Andrew Lipczyński @andrewlipczynski.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

A female Common Blue, Polyommatus icarus, in my East Kent garden. Logically: an unusual individual where the blue suffusion extends to the wing margins. Emotionally: absolutely beautiful! #KentNature @savebutterflies.bsky.social

Common Blue, Polyommatus icarus, female, East Kent, UK

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Andrew Lipczyński @andrewlipczynski.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

Last year at Sandwich Bay, there was a 2nd emergence of Scarce Blue-tailed Damsels in mid-July peaking at 12+ on 19th & 14+ on 30th. This year there've been no July sightings (I think) until today. Maybe the heat-wave is to blame🤔. It's certainly impacted the anisoptera which are noticeably scarce.

Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly, Small Bluetail, Ischnura pumilio, male, sheltering in vegetation close to the Dragonfly Pond, Sandwich Bay

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Andrew Lipczyński @andrewlipczynski.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

Last post from our week with @mariposanature.bsky.social in Serbia on the False Comma tour. It just has to be Poplar Admiral, Limenitis populi, a species that had eluded me until then. First was at Topli Do followed by 4 (four!) at Brlog & along the Dojkinacka; all dark males of the form tremulae.😂

Poplar Admiral, Limenitis populi, dark male, form tremulae, Topli Do valley, Stara Planina, Serbia

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Andrew Lipczyński @andrewlipczynski.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

Evening walk across New Downs Sandwich Bay. The Pectoral Sandpiper, dwarfed by juv Water Rails, still in 'South Scrape' one of the borrows created by the EA (design input from Bird Observatory) during creation of new Sea Defences. Also 4 Bearded Tits taking grit/seed off the mud & 29 Cattle Egrets.

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Andrew Lipczyński @andrewlipczynski.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

Too cool & overcast to do my Big Butterfly Count but pottering around the garden revealed this perfect freshly emerged female Wall Brown yet to be bothered by her suitors. As ever the French have a word for it - La Mégère (the Shrew). Cherchez la femme n'est-ce pas? @savebutterflies.bsky.social

Wall Brown, Lasiommata megera, female, East Kent, UK

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Andrew Lipczyński @andrewlipczynski.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

A morning with Dan Tuson @naturalengland.bsky.social & Rebecca Levy @savebutterflies.bsky.social exploring Ileden Downs, new species-rich meadows created by arable reversion as part of East Kent Landscape Recovery Project. It holds the largest UK population of Bright Wave moth. #KentNature

View of Ileden Down, part of Barham Downs, East Kent

Bright Wave, Idaea ochrata, Ileden Down, Barham Downs, East Kent

Dingy Skipper, Erynnis tages, Ileden Down, Barham Downs, East Kent

Small Blue, Cupido minimus, Ileden Down, Barham Downs, East Kent

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Andrew Lipczyński @andrewlipczynski.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

Willow Emerald Damselfly, Chalcoestes viridis, now out. First recorded in UK in East Sussex (1979), Kent (1992) & Sandwich Bay 7th Aug 2014. Quickly established until almost wiped out by the ‘Beast from the East’ in 2018. Now fully recovered & widespread, record day/site count of 66 on 21st Aug 2024

Willow Emerald Damselfly, Chalcoestes viridis, female, North Stream, Roaring Gutter, Worth Marshes, Kent. 11th July 2026.

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Andrew Lipczyński @andrewlipczynski.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

After speculating on the identity of Golden-ringed Dragonflies whizzing past all week during our time in the Serbian Stara Planina; watching a couple of males 'dog-fighting' in Topli Do valley, one was forced down briefly but enough time to grab record shots & confirm Sombre Goldenring, T.bidentata.

Sombre Goldenring (Two-toothed Golden-ringed Dragonfly), Thecagaster (previously Cordulegaster) bidentata, Topli Do valley, Stara Planina, Serbia

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Andrew Lipczyński @andrewlipczynski.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

The last days of our week in the Serbian Stara Planina coincided with start of the flight season of the Balkan Copper. A mini fireball in the bog close to our hotel watched until going to roost. Closely-related to (once thought to be a ssp. of) Purple-edged Copper found in western & northern Europe.

Balkan Copper, Lycaena candens leonhardi, male, Bog near Stara Planina Hotel, Serbia

Purple-edged Copper, Lycaena hippothoe eurydame, male, Bergerie de Combeau 1608m, High Plateaux, Parc Naturel Régional du Vercors, France

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Andrew Lipczyński @andrewlipczynski.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

Southern Migrant (Blue-eyed) Hawker, Aeshna affinis, incoming & landed on a scrape recently excavated on Royal St George's GC. 1st confirmed UK (Romney Marsh) 05/08/1952, multiple records in Kent/Essex 2010 & first recorded at Sandwich Bay 17/07/18 - when I was twitching one at Cliffe 🙄 #KentNature

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Andrew Lipczyński @andrewlipczynski.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Watching Green-veined Whites, P. napi, in Stara Planina we looked out for its Balkan cogener, P. balcana. Only reliably identified thru genitalia examination, in spring, dark markings bordering veins on hindwing are well defined in napi - blurred in balcana. Pics not great but this ♀️best candidate.

Green-veined White, pieris napi, hillside track near Crni Vrh, Stara Planina, Serbia

Probable Balkan Green-veined White, Pieris balcana, spring brood female, en route to Dopli Do valley, Stara Planina, Serbia

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Andrew Lipczyński @andrewlipczynski.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

With @markgolley.bsky.social & @linnetincley.bsky.social on site at the Obs it was only a matter of time before they scored big time - and on that subject - also an accurate prediction of the outcome of this morning's thriller in the Azteca! ¡Viva Inglaterra!

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Andrew Lipczyński @andrewlipczynski.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

So what Eros did we see at the Kop pass? Tshikolovets describes taxon yildizae in NE Turkey as a ssp. of P. eroides, or is it a spp. of P. eros or neither? Let's be generous & call it Anatolian Eros Blue. Are you a Splitter or a Lumper? To misquote Chubby "let's split again like we did last summer".

(Anatolian) Eros Blue, Polyommatus eros (or eroides) ylidizae, below Kop pass, Black Sea region, Turkey.

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Andrew Lipczyński @andrewlipczynski.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

Serbian Blues 3: After days of searching, a ♂️False Eros Blue, taxon eroides, s/potted by David @mariposanature.bsky.social. Very different (darker blue with broader marginal borders) to the Eros Blue we saw with Tristan on the high slopes of Mt Ventoux however genetic studies do not support a split?

Eros Blue, Polyommatus eros eros, north gully at 1400m, Mont Ventoux, Vaucluse Provence, France.

False Eros Blue, Polyommatus eros eroides, male, Bigar Waterfalls, near Stanjinac, Stara Planina, Serbia

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Andrew Lipczyński @andrewlipczynski.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

Sandwich Bay Bird Obs Restharrow Scrape: female Migrant Hawker, Aeshna mixta. Probably our earliest ever, previously 8th July in 2014. There is a 'crazy' record of one on 12th June in 1996 that needs review & verification - but unfortunately it's from those innocent halcyon days before VAR.

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Andrew Lipczyński @andrewlipczynski.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

Then fell down a rabbit hole entering a taxonomic maze trying to figure out what Zephyr we saw in NE Turkey. Tshikolovets describes 4 sephirus ssp. with akbesianus in Turkey however mention of Anatolian Zephyr Blue on Turkish websites led to Russian study & mol genetic assignment of Kretania modica.

Anatolian Zephyr Blue, Kretania (Plebejus) modica (modicus), below Kop pass, Black Sea region, Turkey.

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Andrew Lipczyński @andrewlipczynski.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

Serbian Blues 2: The 'original' Zephyr Blue, Plebejus pylaon, was not only split* but also reassigned to genus Kretania i.e. hespericus (Spanish), trappi (Alpine), pylaon (Eastern) & sephirus, the taxon we saw in the Balkans - very nice! *Jury still out on status of brethertoni (Peloponnnese Blue)🤔

Zephyr Blue, Kretania sephirus, female, track from the panoramic view-point between Mojinci & Vikovija, Stara Planina, Serbia

Zephyr Blue, Kretania sephirus, male, track from the panoramic view-point between Mojinci & Vikovija, Stara Planina, Serbia

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Andrew Lipczyński @andrewlipczynski.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

Sandwich Bay: cool & overcast (makes a change) but still muggy conditions. Red-veined Darters, S. fonscolombii, paired & ovipositing in the Dragonfly Pond. Nearby a Scorpionfly (Scorpion Fly?), Panorpa sp., feeding on a Ruby Tiger, P. fuliginosa, presumably scavenged from a spider's web #KentNature

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Andrew Lipczyński @andrewlipczynski.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

Of course, you don't need to travel to 'exotic climes' like Serbia to see interesting butterflies. A quick look around my East Kent garden just now & I came across this Ringlet, A. hyperantus, with reduced eye-spots (ocelli) on the underside of the hindwing #KentNature @savebutterflies.bsky.social 😀

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Andrew Lipczyński @andrewlipczynski.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

Some Serbian Blues: Blue Argus, Aricia (a.) anteros was common near our 4⭐ Stara Planina Hotel & a personal Euro'tick after seeing them in Western Turkey. Further east i.e. in the Kackars there is Anatolian Blue Argus, Arica (a.) crassipunctus - while in Central Anatolia it was all a bit confusing!🤕

(Balkan) Blue Argus, Aricia (anteros) anteros, bog near Stara Planina Hotel, Serbia

Anatolian Blue Argus, Aricia (anteros) crassipuntus, Olgunlar, Kaçkar Mountains NP, Black Sea Region, NE Turkey

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Andrew Lipczyński @andrewlipczynski.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

Chance to join @savebutterflies.bsky.social Kent branch field trip, unfort. missed the memo saying it'd been cancelled - doh! Nevertheless, me & another lost soul got permission to look around the farm & in the meadow - what the heck! Someone really mixed up their palette when they painted this Lady

Painted Lady, Vanessa cardui, unnamed aberration, Heart's Delight Farm, Kent. Sunday 28th June 2026

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Andrew Lipczyński @andrewlipczynski.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

After watching the ossianus ssp of Bog Fritillary flitting over treacherous bogs in Swedish Lapland it was great getting up close & personal with eunomia in Serbia. Freyer's Fritillary, M. arduinna, was at times the most numerous nymphalid but care is required to separate from Glanville, M. cinxia.

3 Freyer's Fritillaries, Melitaea arduinna rhodopensis, Meadow Brown, Maniola jurtina, Comma, Polygonia c-album, and Hungarian Skipper, Spialia orbifer, on Fox scat, near Janja, Stara Planina, Serbia

Bog Fritillary, Boloria eunomia eunomia, Stara Planina, below Babin Zub, Serbia

Freyer's Fritillary, Melitaea arduinna rhodopensis, hillside track near Crni Vrh, Stara Planina, Serbia

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Andrew Lipczyński @andrewlipczynski.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

Next, two from possibly my favourite genus. The challenges of searching for Erebia in spectacular mountainous scenery forge unforgettable experiences. The endemic Bulgarian Ringlet, E. orientalis (closely related to Mountain Ringlet) plus the local ssp of Almond-eyed Ringlet, E. alberganus phorcys.

Bulgarian Ringlet, Erebia orientalis, Stara Planina, below Babin Zub, Serbia

Almond-eyed Ringlet, Erebia alberganus phorcys, below the Stara Planina Hotel, Serbia

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Andrew Lipczyński @andrewlipczynski.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

Next up, in no particular order, are a couple of Heaths, Eastern Large, Coenonympha rhodopensis & Russian, C. leander. Photos illustrate extensive variation we saw, which at times had me confused. Eastern Large reminiscent of polydama race of tullia while I'd only previously seen leander in Turkey.

Eastern Large Heath, Coenonympha rhodopensis, cutting near Stara Planina Hotel, Serbia

Eastern Large Heath, Coenonympha rhodopensis, bog near Stara Planina Hotel, Serbia

Russian Heath, Coenonympha leander, meadow below Stara Planina Hotel, Serbia

Russian Heath, Coenonympha leander, Gornji Krivodol, Stara Planina, Serbia

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Andrew Lipczyński @andrewlipczynski.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

Finally caught up on my notes & back to reality after an excellent week in the Serbian Stara Planina (Balkan Mountains) with @mariposanature.bsky.social. 128sp butterfly recorded (is there anywhere better in Europe in mid-June?). Personal highlights follow; first up Yellow-banded & Spinose Skippers.

Yellow-banded Skipper, Pyrgus sidae, Bigar Waterfalls, near Stanjinac, Stara Planina, Serbia

Spinose Skipper, Favria (prev. Muschampia) cribellum, hillside track, near Gornji Krivodol, Stara Planina, Serbia

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Andrew Lipczyński @andrewlipczynski.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

Second full day of the @mariposanature.bsky.social Serbia tour. I'm not usually superstitious but I refused to say 'False Comma Tour' in case I jinxed it! After cool cloudy conditions yesterday, today dawned hot & sunny, even so it was hours of sweat & fears before all came good....and relax!😅

False Comma, Nymphalis vau-album, Stara Planina (Balkan Mountains), Serbia.

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