Dan Brown
@danbrownnature.bsky.social
Naturalist & Wildlife Addict
🦉🦆🐋🪲🐛🦋🍄🐨🦫🦇🪼🌵🌳🐸
Happiest Outdoors
Founder: http://www.Wild-Discovery.com (the best wildlife watching company - i’m biased)
Expedition Leader & Lecturer
Photographer (OM1) & Author
🦉🦆🐋🪲🐛🦋🍄🐨🦫🦇🪼🌵🌳🐸
Happiest Outdoors
Founder: http://www.Wild-Discovery.com (the best wildlife watching company - i’m biased)
Expedition Leader & Lecturer
Photographer (OM1) & Author
Pinned
Dan Brown
@danbrownnature.bsky.social
· Nov 9
Hi folks 👋
Time to embrace a new platform & one I’m hoping doesn’t move to the dark side.
For those that don’t know me I’m a naturalist, ecologist, expedition leader, photographer and author based in the Cairngorms National Park & run Wild Discovery, an award winning wildlife watching company.
D
Time to embrace a new platform & one I’m hoping doesn’t move to the dark side.
For those that don’t know me I’m a naturalist, ecologist, expedition leader, photographer and author based in the Cairngorms National Park & run Wild Discovery, an award winning wildlife watching company.
D
Our 21 day recce to Guyana is complete & boy what a country with sooo many wildlife highlights. Walk away Guianan Cock-of-the-Rocks, 10+ Giant River Otter encounters, 2 Goliath Bird-eating Spiders, some incredible Giant Amazonian Water Lily blooming inc pollinating chafers to name but 4 highlights
November 12, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Our 21 day recce to Guyana is complete & boy what a country with sooo many wildlife highlights. Walk away Guianan Cock-of-the-Rocks, 10+ Giant River Otter encounters, 2 Goliath Bird-eating Spiders, some incredible Giant Amazonian Water Lily blooming inc pollinating chafers to name but 4 highlights
Just when I thought it was all over a quick swing by Ormsary on the Argyll coast produced this absolutely stunning drake Surf Scoter close inshore with Eider & Goosander. You just never know.
#UkBirding
#UkBirding
October 7, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Just when I thought it was all over a quick swing by Ormsary on the Argyll coast produced this absolutely stunning drake Surf Scoter close inshore with Eider & Goosander. You just never know.
#UkBirding
#UkBirding
A magic week on Islay comes to an end in the morning. The Buff-breasted Sand reappeared today and gave brilliant views. The monumental arrival of Barnacle Geese continues and an Otter performed in front of the lounge window this evening. This place is just magic #UkBirding #BirdMigration
October 6, 2025 at 7:10 PM
A magic week on Islay comes to an end in the morning. The Buff-breasted Sand reappeared today and gave brilliant views. The monumental arrival of Barnacle Geese continues and an Otter performed in front of the lounge window this evening. This place is just magic #UkBirding #BirdMigration
More great days on Islay. The Glossy Ibis that I stumbled across at the same site as the last two, 3wks ago appears to be a different bird. Storm Amy put on a show, Gannets leaving Loch Gruinart with Barnacles arriving en masse today, Leach’s Petrel, Grey Phal & Pec Sand all rounded off a good day
October 4, 2025 at 8:31 PM
More great days on Islay. The Glossy Ibis that I stumbled across at the same site as the last two, 3wks ago appears to be a different bird. Storm Amy put on a show, Gannets leaving Loch Gruinart with Barnacles arriving en masse today, Leach’s Petrel, Grey Phal & Pec Sand all rounded off a good day
A great first day on Islay finding Buff-breasted Sand and as we watched a Pec circled over calling, clearly fresh in. Add in a plethora of raptors Barnacles, Arctic Tern & Long-t ducks, some weird Agarics, Chough, Otter, Bottlenose Dolphins & you have a good haul. It’s good to be back here
October 1, 2025 at 4:49 PM
A great first day on Islay finding Buff-breasted Sand and as we watched a Pec circled over calling, clearly fresh in. Add in a plethora of raptors Barnacles, Arctic Tern & Long-t ducks, some weird Agarics, Chough, Otter, Bottlenose Dolphins & you have a good haul. It’s good to be back here
Fab day on Royal Deeside with our Deeside Nature festival discovering a pair of Nuthatch feeding young (rarity here) then what we believe is Silky Gallows Spider hanging its Wood Ant prey at Mar Lodge, Lesser Twayblades in full bloom, WT eagle and some fab views rounded off a superb day.
May 25, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Fab day on Royal Deeside with our Deeside Nature festival discovering a pair of Nuthatch feeding young (rarity here) then what we believe is Silky Gallows Spider hanging its Wood Ant prey at Mar Lodge, Lesser Twayblades in full bloom, WT eagle and some fab views rounded off a superb day.
Yesterday was the first day of our Deeside Nature Festival and it proved to be awesome! Events included a Black grouse safari, bumblebee talk, moth and wild sound evening, guided woodland walk, birding for beginners and more. Loads more happening over the next three days too #DeesideNatureFestival
May 24, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Yesterday was the first day of our Deeside Nature Festival and it proved to be awesome! Events included a Black grouse safari, bumblebee talk, moth and wild sound evening, guided woodland walk, birding for beginners and more. Loads more happening over the next three days too #DeesideNatureFestival
Thrift & Large Red-belted Clearwings in Aberdeenshire (VC92) this last few days, the former a couple of weeks early on the wing and great to see. #TeamMoth #MothsMatter
May 23, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Thrift & Large Red-belted Clearwings in Aberdeenshire (VC92) this last few days, the former a couple of weeks early on the wing and great to see. #TeamMoth #MothsMatter
No sooner than I’d read the @britishwildlife.bsky.social article on Pot Beetles than I stumble across these beauties; Four-spotted Pot Beetle larvae (Clytra quadripunctata) in a Scottish Wood Ant nest down the glen. Thanks for article Brit wildlife & an insight into their fascinating life histories
May 23, 2025 at 11:57 AM
No sooner than I’d read the @britishwildlife.bsky.social article on Pot Beetles than I stumble across these beauties; Four-spotted Pot Beetle larvae (Clytra quadripunctata) in a Scottish Wood Ant nest down the glen. Thanks for article Brit wildlife & an insight into their fascinating life histories
Cracker of a day around home in Crathie, Cairngorms with Hen Harrier over the garden (garden tick) plus Gos (Osprey and Peregrine yesterday), daytime Tawny, Pearl Bordered Frits & Narrow Bordered Bee Hawks & first Red Mason Bee for Deeside I believe. Now listening to Woodcock roading #SpringBliss
May 8, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Cracker of a day around home in Crathie, Cairngorms with Hen Harrier over the garden (garden tick) plus Gos (Osprey and Peregrine yesterday), daytime Tawny, Pearl Bordered Frits & Narrow Bordered Bee Hawks & first Red Mason Bee for Deeside I believe. Now listening to Woodcock roading #SpringBliss
Calling all European #Odanata experts. I found this Coenagrion yesterday in a mountain spring pool which looks remarkably similar to hastulatum however it’s in Armenia and miles from the known range. Eyes are green based, spear head mark plus separates side stripe. Comments welcome 🙏
May 4, 2025 at 5:48 AM
Calling all European #Odanata experts. I found this Coenagrion yesterday in a mountain spring pool which looks remarkably similar to hastulatum however it’s in Armenia and miles from the known range. Eyes are green based, spear head mark plus separates side stripe. Comments welcome 🙏
This tour has been producing sooo many great birds and mammals. Yesterday we visited the stunning Noravank monastery in Armenia and enjoyed both Eastern & Western Rock Nuthatches feeding on ants in front us, at one point being side by side! Bears and Wolves have been stealing the show tho…
May 2, 2025 at 10:07 AM
This tour has been producing sooo many great birds and mammals. Yesterday we visited the stunning Noravank monastery in Armenia and enjoyed both Eastern & Western Rock Nuthatches feeding on ants in front us, at one point being side by side! Bears and Wolves have been stealing the show tho…
Of all the things I was hoping to find today in Georgia today, a Bateleur was not one of them! This juv drifted in from Azerbaijan and over David Gareja before returning that way. First for Azerbaijan and 3rd for Georgia!
April 29, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Of all the things I was hoping to find today in Georgia today, a Bateleur was not one of them! This juv drifted in from Azerbaijan and over David Gareja before returning that way. First for Azerbaijan and 3rd for Georgia!
With snow clearing over the Caucasus we were treated to a lovely bit of raptor migration with Eastern Imperial, Steppe and Booted Eagles past together with Honey & Steppe Buzzards, Black Kites & a local Lammergeier. A good opportunity to test your raptor silhouettes #Raptors #WildDiscoverytour
April 29, 2025 at 6:14 AM
With snow clearing over the Caucasus we were treated to a lovely bit of raptor migration with Eastern Imperial, Steppe and Booted Eagles past together with Honey & Steppe Buzzards, Black Kites & a local Lammergeier. A good opportunity to test your raptor silhouettes #Raptors #WildDiscoverytour
Stumbled across this stunning #orchid, the range restricted Steveniella satyriodes growing under Beech in the foothills of the Caucasus alongside Toothwort. Dingy skippers were out in force alongside Wood Whites - a very pleasant lunch stop on our tour.
April 29, 2025 at 6:07 AM
Stumbled across this stunning #orchid, the range restricted Steveniella satyriodes growing under Beech in the foothills of the Caucasus alongside Toothwort. Dingy skippers were out in force alongside Wood Whites - a very pleasant lunch stop on our tour.
First full day in the Caucasus on our Georgia & Armenia tour & a clean sweep of all target species plus some bonuses. Great numbers of Güldenstädt’s Redstarts, but Great Rosefinch are proving challenging for all this year so fab to get 3 today.
April 26, 2025 at 4:26 PM
First full day in the Caucasus on our Georgia & Armenia tour & a clean sweep of all target species plus some bonuses. Great numbers of Güldenstädt’s Redstarts, but Great Rosefinch are proving challenging for all this year so fab to get 3 today.
Latreille’s Latin, a great moth with a fab name and one I saw for the first time recently thanks to @davegrundy.bsky.social whilst guiding our Andalucia tour. The camouflage against this Cistus is just superb esp the fake lichen bits! Fingers crossed one appears in my UK trap in future #MothsMatter
April 23, 2025 at 5:01 AM
Latreille’s Latin, a great moth with a fab name and one I saw for the first time recently thanks to @davegrundy.bsky.social whilst guiding our Andalucia tour. The camouflage against this Cistus is just superb esp the fake lichen bits! Fingers crossed one appears in my UK trap in future #MothsMatter
Back home after 3 weeks & 3 tours of southern Spain and boy have they been successful. Multiple Iberian Lynx sightings, just under 200 species of bird, awesome reptiles & amphibs and the most phenomenal floral displays you could imagine. Really can’t wait to run a tour there again next year!
April 19, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Back home after 3 weeks & 3 tours of southern Spain and boy have they been successful. Multiple Iberian Lynx sightings, just under 200 species of bird, awesome reptiles & amphibs and the most phenomenal floral displays you could imagine. Really can’t wait to run a tour there again next year!
Nice to find 6 Cornifrons ulceratalis on a short walk yesterday afternoon on the hills above Punta del Acebuche south of Algerciras. This African migrant out numbered Rush Veneer and Painted Lady! #MigrantLepidoptera #TeamMoth #MothsMatter
April 6, 2025 at 5:23 AM
Nice to find 6 Cornifrons ulceratalis on a short walk yesterday afternoon on the hills above Punta del Acebuche south of Algerciras. This African migrant out numbered Rush Veneer and Painted Lady! #MigrantLepidoptera #TeamMoth #MothsMatter
Spot the…
One of my fave pics from yesterday on our tour. Can you spot the beautifully camouflaged creature and what is it??
#camouflage
One of my fave pics from yesterday on our tour. Can you spot the beautifully camouflaged creature and what is it??
#camouflage
April 1, 2025 at 5:15 AM
Spot the…
One of my fave pics from yesterday on our tour. Can you spot the beautifully camouflaged creature and what is it??
#camouflage
One of my fave pics from yesterday on our tour. Can you spot the beautifully camouflaged creature and what is it??
#camouflage
Axia margarita, probably one of the best looking moths in Spain and great to stumble across two in the Sierra du Andujar this week #MothsMatter #TeamMoth
March 29, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Axia margarita, probably one of the best looking moths in Spain and great to stumble across two in the Sierra du Andujar this week #MothsMatter #TeamMoth
Just an handful of the 124 Yellow Horneds in the MV this morning amongst a total of 269 moths of 16 species. Pine Beauty always good to see alongside Rannoch Sprawler & the Diamond-backed moth so an eclectic mix & great March catch #TeamMoth #MothsMatter
March 23, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Just an handful of the 124 Yellow Horneds in the MV this morning amongst a total of 269 moths of 16 species. Pine Beauty always good to see alongside Rannoch Sprawler & the Diamond-backed moth so an eclectic mix & great March catch #TeamMoth #MothsMatter
Wasn't expecting a migrant in the trap this morning but this appears to be a dark Diamond-backed Moth (Plutella xylostella). Crathie, Cairngorms #MigrantLepidoptera #MigrantMoths @migrantmothuk.bsky.social
March 23, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Wasn't expecting a migrant in the trap this morning but this appears to be a dark Diamond-backed Moth (Plutella xylostella). Crathie, Cairngorms #MigrantLepidoptera #MigrantMoths @migrantmothuk.bsky.social
The moths keep coming here in Crathie, Cairngorms with a trio of Sword Grass & a Red Sword Grass in to sugar. Crathie is quite possibly the best place in the UK for the former and I strongly suspect there is a significant link between Sword Grass and Juniper. #Teammoth #MothsMatter
March 23, 2025 at 1:08 PM
The moths keep coming here in Crathie, Cairngorms with a trio of Sword Grass & a Red Sword Grass in to sugar. Crathie is quite possibly the best place in the UK for the former and I strongly suspect there is a significant link between Sword Grass and Juniper. #Teammoth #MothsMatter
First night back home & despite the low temps I popped the moth trap out: 3 Rannoch Sprawlers the highlight of 37 moths, 9 sp most of which came in when temps were between -1.0 & -3.7oC which is pretty insane & testament to their tenacity. Crathie, Cairngorms #TeamMoth @savebutterflies.bsky.social
March 21, 2025 at 5:12 PM
First night back home & despite the low temps I popped the moth trap out: 3 Rannoch Sprawlers the highlight of 37 moths, 9 sp most of which came in when temps were between -1.0 & -3.7oC which is pretty insane & testament to their tenacity. Crathie, Cairngorms #TeamMoth @savebutterflies.bsky.social