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To this day, I regret not climbing on the house roof when three Crane settled briefly on a damp lochside near home. I could’ve seen them if I’d just made the effort. But I told myself there’d be more soon… and that was almost 20 years ago now. >sighs<

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Jon Dunn @dunnjons.bsky.social · 8h

Another lovely Colias clouded yellow species in my summer of them, this Moorland Clouded Yellow was a thoroughly obliging and decent individual, flying past me in Arctic Sweden and, the moment a cloud obscured the sun, dropping down to roost right in front of us. Sometimes a bit of cloud is good...

Moorland Clouded Yellow (Colias palaeno), seen on the Butterflies of the European Arctic tour I co-led for Mariposa Nature Tours, Sweden © Jon Dunn

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Dr Richard Bate @thenewgalaxy.bsky.social · 21h

7/10/26 #Cumbria - Today’s find was one of my highlights of the year so far. The Date Waxcap (Hygrocybe spadicea) is one of the UK’s rarest #chegd fungi and one that is notoriously difficult to nail down. Hopefully will come across some better examples next time…

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Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 10h

It goes without saying our leaders have excellent knowledge of butterfly ecology - we wouldn't be as good at finding rare species as we are otherwise! Our Hautes Pyrenees tour is led by Chris van Swaay, BCE co-founder and European butterfly expert. www.mariposanature.com/tours/butter...

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Stevie P @stevieparsons.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Rosy Bonnet (Mycena rosea) on beech leaf litter - very pretty. Hampshire 7/10/26 #fungi

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Jon Dunn @dunnjons.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

If anyone fancies a winter warmer, you could join me in Shetland in January 2027 where I'll be leading the Up Helly Aa tour for my good friends at Shetland Nature. There'll be winter wildlife, spectacular coastal scenery, and Europe's biggest fire festival: www.shetlandnature.net/holidays/she...

The Viking galley is consumed with flames - Up Helly Aa 2024 © Jon Dunn

Wildlife comes in all shapes and sizes! Up Helly Aa 2024 © Jon Dunn

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Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

We make absolutely no excuse for our commitment to show our guests as many of the iconic species as possible wherever we go. In the case of the Hautes Pyrenees that includes special Erebia ringlets. Quantity *and* quality - you shouldn't have to choose between one or the other. tinyurl.com/4hthe3uw

A selection of Erebia species seen on our Butterflies of the Hautes Pyrenees tours, images © Jon Dunn, David Moore, Harry F

(top to bottom, left to right)

Piedmont Ringlet (Erebia meolans); Gavarnie Ringlet (Erebia gorgone); Yellow-spotted Ringlet (Erebia manto ssp. constans); Western Brassy Ringlet (Erebia arvernensis); Lefebvre's Ringlet (Erebia lefebvrei) male; Water Ringlet (Erebia pronoe); False Dewy Ringlet (Erebia sthennyo); Lefebvre's Ringlet (Erebia lefebvrei) female; Pyrennean Brassy Ringlet (Erebia roundoui)

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Jon Dunn @dunnjons.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

She certainly was. I miss her…

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Jon Dunn @dunnjons.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Looking like it's been dragged down a sooty chimney, the next Colias to feature in my clouded yellow summer is the dark and enigmatic Northern Clouded Yellow. To say these gave me the runaround in Arctic Norway would be an understatement! They fly faster than I can run... but eventually settled.

Northern Clouded Yellow (Colias hecla), seen on the Butterflies of the European Arctic tour I co-led for Mariposa Nature Tours © Jon Dunn

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Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

"As on all Mariposa holidays, I had a wonderful time getting to know both the butterflies and the people who love them just as much as I do" A Mariposa butterfly tour is about more than just butterflies - it's an inclusive and enjoyable gathering of like-minded friends.

Guest testimonial for our Butterflies of the Hautes Pyrenees tour

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Jon Dunn @dunnjons.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

They’re giving moths a run for their money!

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Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Orchid bookings flying in today. Orchids of Cyprus now fully booked for 2027 - so we've put the 2028 edition on our website for booking. Places remain on 2027 Italian orchid tours - see Tour Calendar for details. All generate donations to @bsbibotany.bsky.social: www.mariposanature.com/calendar

Ophrys pallida, Orchids of Sicily © Jon Dunn

Ophrys sipontensis, Orchids of the Gargano Peninsula © Jon Dunn

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Jon Dunn @dunnjons.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

The next species to feature in my summer of European clouded yellows is Mountain Clouded Yellow, found in the dizzy heights of the Austrian Alps in July. All Colias clouded yellows are restless souls, particularly on sunny days. This was a rare opportunity for a photo!

Mountain Clouded Yellow (Colias phicomone), Butterflies of the Hohe Tauern tour for Mariposa Nature Tours, Austria © Jon Dunn

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Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Good morning & welcome to a new week! Our featured tour this week is Butterflies of the Hautes Pyrenees, a wonderful holiday that encompasses a wide range of spectacular species, including some very localised scarce, or downright rare, delights. #butterflies www.mariposanature.com/tours/butter...

Gavarnie Blue (Agriades pyrenaicus) © Jon Dunn

Purple-edged Copper (Lycaena hippothoe) © Jon Dunn

Foulquier's Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus foulquieri) © Jon Dunn

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Jon Dunn @dunnjons.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Beechwood Sickener was my favourite find 😍

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Jon Dunn @dunnjons.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Thanks Rebecca. Yes, I think that’s Bolete Mould (Hypomyces chrysospermus) - Richard kindly identified it for me. 🤗

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Jon Dunn @dunnjons.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Thank you, Helen! 🙏🤗

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Jon Dunn @dunnjons.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Went out for a walk today with seeds and fruits in mind for forthcoming #WildflowerHour, but got badly distracted by fungi instead on a beechwood floor. Must do more of these wanders in the days and weeks to come.

A selection of fungi found on a Kentish beechwood floor and margins

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Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Tour update 🚨 As of this afternoon, just one place remaining to join the dream team of @thenewgalaxy.bsky.social & Dave Fairhurst for Orchids of Cyprus next spring. Naturally, the tour generates a donation to support the work of @bsbibotany.bsky.social. www.mariposanature.com/tours/botani...

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Jon Dunn @dunnjons.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Good question! Pale Arctic Clouded Whitish Smudge hasn't got quite the same familial ring, though... 😉

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Jon Dunn @dunnjons.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

It's been a classic Clouded Yellow year here in the UK, with many autumn insects still on the wing now we're moving into October. I've seen a lot of other Colias clouded yellows on my travels this year - here are my favourites, starting with Pale Arctic Clouded Yellow in Sweden. #butterflies

Pale Arctic Clouded Yellow (Colias tyche), seen on Butterflies of the European Arctic tour I co-led for Mariposa Nature Tours, © Jon Dunn

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Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Tour update 🚨 🦋 There's a reason why our tours fill fast, months or years in advance: we're dedicated and reliable at finding our guests the Western Palearctic's rarest and most beautiful butterflies. Two places secured today for Marvellous Morocco 2028: www.mariposanature.com/tours/butter...

📸 All taken on our spring holiday in Morocco, Spring Butterflies of Marvellous Morocco, and © guest Harry F

Clockwise from top left: Allard's Silver Line, Vogel's Blue, Lorquin's Blue, Donzel's Silver Line, Fatma's Bavius Blue

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Jon Dunn @dunnjons.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Feeling sheepish now for doubting the poop ID 🐑

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Jon Dunn @dunnjons.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

I *cannot* wait to be reunited with my orchid-hunting best mate @thenewgalaxy.bsky.social for Orchids of Crete in 2028. We are going to have an absolute blast in this orchid wonderland.

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Jon Dunn @dunnjons.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

I'm beyond excited for next years @mariposanature.bsky.social Orchids of Basilicata, Campania & Puglia tour - it's a renowned orchid-hunting destination, and a potent place for hybrid finds. Two places to join me and Miki Vigano there have just opened up... www.mariposanature.com/tours/botani...

Ophrys conradiae x cinnabarina © Michele Vigano

Ophrys x fajarama (O. lacaitae x gracilis) © Michele Vigano

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The White Falcon @markgolley.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

The Shocking Pinks!!! At some point, there will be a natural conclusion to the Vestal images from Cley but this might well be the Vestal to out-Vestal all others. Today's field-fringe visitor was the most outrageous one we've seen anywhere. Wow! @linnetincley.bsky.social #cleymothobs #norfolkmoths

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Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Tour update 🚨 In the past day we've launched the first tranche of our 2028 tours, and they're starting to take bookings. Pallas's Fritillary and Late Summer Butterflies of Hungary has moved straight to guaranteed departure status: www.mariposanature.com/tours/butter...

Pallas's Fritillary (Argynnis laodice) © János Oláh

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Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

It's time for the Mariposa autumn newsletter - sent out initially to subscribers to our mailing list, and now available on our website too. Full of news about tours, leaders, and of course deals to be had for holidays in 2027 and beyond! www.mariposanature.com/about/news/a...

A selection of autumnal hued butterflies (and an orchid) taken by guests and guides on Mariposa Nature Tours holidays in 2026

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Jon Dunn @dunnjons.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

For @helenbennett.bsky.social's #BirdOfTheDay theme, #BestBeaks, the ultimate bird bill - the javelin sported by Sword-billed Hummingbird. This outrageous bird was one I met some years ago on my travels in South America when researching what would become The Glitter in the Green. #ECK

Sword-billed Hummingbird (Ensifera ensifera) © Jon Dunn

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Helen Bennett 🌿 @helenbennett.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Today's #BirdOfTheDay is #BestBeaks Celebrating any bird with a beak or bill that has striking colours, bold profiles, or an interesting shape. Like this Northern Shoveler and its lovely spatula-shaped bill! 💚📷 🪶 Alt: #YellowElements the colour yellow found on a bird. Happy Friday! 🕊️ #ECK #Scape

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Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Tour update 🚨 Another booking today for Spring Butterflies of Andalusia moves the tour to guaranteed departure status. And that means another guaranteed donation to @europebutterfly.bsky.social too. www.mariposanature.com/tours/butter...

Spanish Festoon (Zerynthia rumina) © Jon Dunn

Spanish Fritillary (Euphydryas desfontainii) © Clive Burrows

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Jon Dunn @dunnjons.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

I’m using Herne Bay. Similar sense of isolation.

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Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

That's #Leptember over for another year. We'd like to celebrate not just butterflies, but the people who care so much about them - our guests, with whom we've enjoyed so many wonderful moments this past year. Here's just a tiny sample of the feedback they've shared with us.

A small selection of testimonials received lately from Mariposa guests - thank you all!

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Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Tour update 🚨 As of this morning, now just one place remaining to join Mariposa founder and European butterfly finder extraordinaire David Moore for Spring Butterflies of the French Pyrenees: www.mariposanature.com/tours/butter...

Violet Copper (Lycaena helle) © Clive Burrows

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Sarah @sarahfaulkner.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

A celebration of Small Copper. 🦋 Thrilled to find my mint covered in my all-time favourite butterflies, busy nectaring. A recent emergence? Some lovely variety - classic bright orange to darker sooty tones & one with tiny pale dots on the hindwing. Just glorious. 🧡 @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social

Some of the Small Copper nectaring on the flowers of the mint plant in my Weymouth allotment. Such beautiful, feisty butterflies (though all tranquil here).
Some showing the classic bright orange, others with a darker, sooty palate, and one with small pale dots on the hindwing. All fabulous. What a treat!

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Jon Dunn @dunnjons.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

I can't wait to lead this tour! Serbia justly has a stellar reputation as a butterfly-watching destination.

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Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Tour update 🚨 Another place secured yesterday on the 2028 edition of our Serbian butterfly tour - and this one by a guest who's done the tour before. That speaks louder than words just how good this tour is... www.mariposanature.com/tours/butter...

Poplar Admiral (Limenitis populi) © Clive Burrows

Guest testimonial from our False Comma and Summer Butterflies of Serbia tour

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Helsinki Birder @helsinkibirder.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

"They have taken the bridge and the Second Hall. We have barred the gates but cannot hold them for long. The ground shakes... drums, drums in the deep. We cannot get out. The shadow moves in the dark. We cannot get out...They are coming."

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Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Good morning & welcome to a new week! This week's featured tour is Orchids of the Gargano Peninsula. Europe's natural rock garden is a wonderful orchid-hunting venue with massive diversity to see there. The tour generates a donation to @bsbibotany.bsky.social www.mariposanature.com/tours/botani...

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Jon Dunn @dunnjons.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

A 5 mile transect walked the length of my island home yesterday was surprisingly productive for @wildflowerhour.bsky.social material - though no shocks until the very last, a Sea Pink running extraordinarily late in the year. #WildflowerHour

A collage of wildflowers (and an autumnal interloper) from a walk in Shetland yesterday

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Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Tour update 🚨 Unsurprisingly, given the record-breaking total of species recorded by our group this year, and with the combined experience of @selbypaul.bsky.social & Miki Vigano leading it, Butterflies of the French Alps is now fully booked. Remaining 2027 tours: mariposanature.com/calendar

Alpine Blue (Agriades orbitulus) © Jon Dunn

Cynthia's Fritillary (Euphydryas cynthia) © Jon Dunn

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Jon Dunn @dunnjons.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Distraction from Team Mariposa work this morning. A Barred Warbler is skulking through the bushes in my Shetland garden.

Barred Warbler (Curruca nisoria) © Jon Dunn [archive image from 2023 - no camera with me today!]

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Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Tour update 🚨 The 2027 edition of our highly popular Serbian tour, False Comma and Summer Butterflies of Serbia, moves to guaranteed departure status this morning with another booking received, which means a guaranteed donation to @europebutterfly.bsky.social www.mariposanature.com/tours/butter...

Just a tiny handful of the wonderful butterflies we expect to see in Serbia, images © Janos Olah & Clive Burrows

[clockwise from top left] Balkan Copper, False Comma, Freyer's Fritillary, Russian Heath, Yellow-banded Skipper, Lesser Lattice Brown

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wildflowerhour @wildflowerhour.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Joining in with #Wildflowerhour is easy! Look for wild & naturalised blooms from across Britain & Ireland during the week & then share Sunday 8-9pm!

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