David Phillips

Dozens, possibly hundreds of Chalk Hill Blues on Chalton Down (East Hampshire) this morning. They favoured the slopes with shorter grass, nectaring on Marjoram.
@savebutterflies.bsky.social

In addition to the amazing flora, there were some cracking animals too… Alpine Marmot, Purple-edged Copper, Northern Wheatear and Alpine Marsh Fritillary.

Early morning walks through the woods near Pontresina were special. Below the pines the rocky terrain was clothed in mosses, lichens and masses of Twinflowers – Linnaea borealis – said to be the favourite flower of Carl Linneaus.

Last week I travelled by train through Switzerland’s Upper Engadine. The Diavolezza cable-car took me to an altitude of nearly 3,000m to find high alpine plants such as: Glacier Crowfoot, King of the Alps, Mossy Saxifrage and Alpine Toadflax.

With so much to see it’s difficult to select highlights, but here are a few more images from last week’s tour in the Valais region of Switzerland. Nutcracker, Clouded Apollo, Red Helleborine and Martagon Lily. Guiding for @naturetrek.bsky.social

Then look up...

Then there are the fritillaries... (Asian, Knapweed, High Brown and Heath).

The abundance of nature and glorious alpine vistas create a problem: where do you look?! Let's start the alpine flowers.
In the Swiss canton of Valais with @naturetrek.bsky.social.

What a treat to see an exquisite White Admiral this afternoon and just 300m from my front door. Hampshire, UK. #ukbutterflies #hampshirewildlife

The Zarnesti Gorge, close to our guesthouse, has provided our groups with some special moments these last two weeks.
In Romania with @naturetrek.bsky.social.

Brown Bears have featured heavily in this week's 'Wildlife of Transylvania' tour with sightings from a hide in the forest and from the terrace of our guesthouse.
In Romania with @naturetrek.bsky.social.

Today was filled with some sensationally colourful wildlife.
Heath and Knapweed Fritillary, Sand Lizard and European Bee-eaters. In Romania with @naturetrek.bsky.social

A slow drive along a reed-fringed channel provided some super views of Little Bittern and Great Reed Warbler. Lake Kerkini with @naturetrek.bsky.social

On our final day in Northern Greece we visited the Orvilos mountains close to the border with Bulgaria, a region of karst limestone cliffs. The rich flora attracted butterflies including Sooty Copper, Gruner's Orange Tip, Swallowtail and Queen of Spain Fritillary. Guiding for @naturetrek.bsky.social

Viewing the abundant birdlife from a boat on Lake Kerkini must be one of the finest nature experience in Europe. Among the highlights from yesterday... 2 species of Pelican, Pygmy and Great Cormorants, Spoonbill, 'Marsh Terns', Black-necked Grebes. Squacco and Night Herons. @naturetrek.bsky.social

Our first full day at Greece's Lake Kerkini provided not only prolific birdlife but also some fine butterflies - Eastern Festoon and Queen of Spain Fritillary. Leading for @naturetrek.bsky.social

A Small Tortoiseshell in Hampshire this afternoon – a rare sight in recent times. Let’s hope the fortunes of this beautiful butterfly improve this year. #ukbutterflies

Another factor is latitude. If an eclipse occurs close to the equator the ground beneath the observer is moving at a greater speed, due to the rotation of earth, so the shadow of the moon passes over the observer more slowly. In 2027 the greatest eclipse is at 33°N. In 2026 it's at 65° N.

A bright, frosty morning at Longmoor and the mellifluous descending call of Woodlarks filled the air. #HantBirds #HantsBirding #birds

A fine week of Portuguese nature concluded with super views of Common Cranes and Great Bustards in the Alentejo region with @naturetrek@bsky.social