Jon Dunn
@dunnjons.bsky.social
Nature writer, photographer, tour leader. FLS.
BSBI Shetland county recorder
Author for Basic Books, Bloomsbury Books, Hachette, Princeton University Press
Rep’d: Peters, Fraser & Dunlop
www.jondunn.com
BSBI Shetland county recorder
Author for Basic Books, Bloomsbury Books, Hachette, Princeton University Press
Rep’d: Peters, Fraser & Dunlop
www.jondunn.com
Pinned
Jon Dunn
@dunnjons.bsky.social
· Nov 14
Blimey. There's suddenly a LOT more people here. Hello! For those who weren't on the bird site and don't already know, amongst other things, I write stuff, and with Christmas coming up, maybe a joyful book about orchids, or one about hummingbirds, might be a colourful antidote to winter and Now?
Reposted by Jon Dunn
Of course, this week's featured Tour of the Week, Butterflies of Tenerife, is about more than simply butterflies - while they're our main focus, we couldn't possibly close our eyes to the other highlights of the island - it's home to some superb birds and wildflowers.
@europebutterfly.bsky.social
@europebutterfly.bsky.social
January 6, 2026 at 2:01 PM
Of course, this week's featured Tour of the Week, Butterflies of Tenerife, is about more than simply butterflies - while they're our main focus, we couldn't possibly close our eyes to the other highlights of the island - it's home to some superb birds and wildflowers.
@europebutterfly.bsky.social
@europebutterfly.bsky.social
What a weekend it's been pulling together tall tales and snippets of information about the rich history of extralimital orchids in Britain. Just when one thinks there's no more surprises to be had, time spent down the research rabbit hole reveals a link to MI6. You couldn't make this stuff up!
January 5, 2026 at 1:05 PM
What a weekend it's been pulling together tall tales and snippets of information about the rich history of extralimital orchids in Britain. Just when one thinks there's no more surprises to be had, time spent down the research rabbit hole reveals a link to MI6. You couldn't make this stuff up!
Reposted by Jon Dunn
Every Sunday evening, #WildFlowerHour brings us all some joy in a world where joy is often in short supply.
Huge thanks to all of you who share photos and observations!
Thanks also to @botanybeck.bsky.social who keeps the @wildflowerhour.bsky.social show on the road!
Huge thanks to all of you who share photos and observations!
Thanks also to @botanybeck.bsky.social who keeps the @wildflowerhour.bsky.social show on the road!
My timeline is a 50/50 jumble of #WildflowerHour and #Venezuela — the former being of great comfort in the face of the latter. Thank you to everyone brightening my evening. Forgot one of my Kentish finds: primrose.
January 4, 2026 at 8:56 PM
Every Sunday evening, #WildFlowerHour brings us all some joy in a world where joy is often in short supply.
Huge thanks to all of you who share photos and observations!
Thanks also to @botanybeck.bsky.social who keeps the @wildflowerhour.bsky.social show on the road!
Huge thanks to all of you who share photos and observations!
Thanks also to @botanybeck.bsky.social who keeps the @wildflowerhour.bsky.social show on the road!
Reposted by Jon Dunn
Good morning & welcome to a new week!
Our first featured tour of 2026 is Butterflies of Tenerife, a late-winter break to a warm Atlantic island, home to a suite of special butterflies. Naturally, the tour generates a donation to
@europebutterfly.bsky.social (1/2)
mariposanature.com/tours/butter...
Our first featured tour of 2026 is Butterflies of Tenerife, a late-winter break to a warm Atlantic island, home to a suite of special butterflies. Naturally, the tour generates a donation to
@europebutterfly.bsky.social (1/2)
mariposanature.com/tours/butter...
January 5, 2026 at 8:09 AM
Good morning & welcome to a new week!
Our first featured tour of 2026 is Butterflies of Tenerife, a late-winter break to a warm Atlantic island, home to a suite of special butterflies. Naturally, the tour generates a donation to
@europebutterfly.bsky.social (1/2)
mariposanature.com/tours/butter...
Our first featured tour of 2026 is Butterflies of Tenerife, a late-winter break to a warm Atlantic island, home to a suite of special butterflies. Naturally, the tour generates a donation to
@europebutterfly.bsky.social (1/2)
mariposanature.com/tours/butter...
Reposted by Jon Dunn
Brr! It's cold out there!
So what better than a postcard from the field to warm us up, from our roving tour leader Michele Viganò, currently wintering in the warmth of the Sahara?
Let's dream of basking in warmer times and places, like this beautiful Sahara Sand Viper.
So what better than a postcard from the field to warm us up, from our roving tour leader Michele Viganò, currently wintering in the warmth of the Sahara?
Let's dream of basking in warmer times and places, like this beautiful Sahara Sand Viper.
January 4, 2026 at 1:08 PM
Brr! It's cold out there!
So what better than a postcard from the field to warm us up, from our roving tour leader Michele Viganò, currently wintering in the warmth of the Sahara?
Let's dream of basking in warmer times and places, like this beautiful Sahara Sand Viper.
So what better than a postcard from the field to warm us up, from our roving tour leader Michele Viganò, currently wintering in the warmth of the Sahara?
Let's dream of basking in warmer times and places, like this beautiful Sahara Sand Viper.
FFS.
Thank god a previous ‘rewilding’ project gave us large birds with an appetite for a tasty amphibian. And to think I was so quick to condemn the ecologically illiterate introduction of White Storks into our breeding avifauna. Maybe they’ve a use after all.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Thank god a previous ‘rewilding’ project gave us large birds with an appetite for a tasty amphibian. And to think I was so quick to condemn the ecologically illiterate introduction of White Storks into our breeding avifauna. Maybe they’ve a use after all.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Three frogs to be reintroduced to West Acre 'pingos'
The money will be spent on breeding thousands of frogs and managing their release in 2026.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 3, 2026 at 10:35 PM
FFS.
Thank god a previous ‘rewilding’ project gave us large birds with an appetite for a tasty amphibian. And to think I was so quick to condemn the ecologically illiterate introduction of White Storks into our breeding avifauna. Maybe they’ve a use after all.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Thank god a previous ‘rewilding’ project gave us large birds with an appetite for a tasty amphibian. And to think I was so quick to condemn the ecologically illiterate introduction of White Storks into our breeding avifauna. Maybe they’ve a use after all.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Jon Dunn
#Lichen Rhizoplaca subdisrepens. NWT, Canada. The lichen is about 4cm left to right. #fungi #fungifriends
January 3, 2026 at 12:44 PM
#Lichen Rhizoplaca subdisrepens. NWT, Canada. The lichen is about 4cm left to right. #fungi #fungifriends
Right then, tongue-orchids, let's be having you. Today I #amwriting all about the various twists and turns of tongues in England in recent decades. There's a LOT to get licked before the 5pm whistle...
#orchids
#orchids
January 3, 2026 at 9:17 AM
Right then, tongue-orchids, let's be having you. Today I #amwriting all about the various twists and turns of tongues in England in recent decades. There's a LOT to get licked before the 5pm whistle...
#orchids
#orchids
Reposted by Jon Dunn
Planning on hitting the sales this weekend?
We've got an offer for you! There's just a few places left on our 2026 week-long holidays - so we're offering £100 off the list price of them if booked before 1 February. All generate donations to conservation, to BSBI & BCE.
mariposanature.com/calendar
We've got an offer for you! There's just a few places left on our 2026 week-long holidays - so we're offering £100 off the list price of them if booked before 1 February. All generate donations to conservation, to BSBI & BCE.
mariposanature.com/calendar
January 2, 2026 at 6:36 PM
Planning on hitting the sales this weekend?
We've got an offer for you! There's just a few places left on our 2026 week-long holidays - so we're offering £100 off the list price of them if booked before 1 February. All generate donations to conservation, to BSBI & BCE.
mariposanature.com/calendar
We've got an offer for you! There's just a few places left on our 2026 week-long holidays - so we're offering £100 off the list price of them if booked before 1 February. All generate donations to conservation, to BSBI & BCE.
mariposanature.com/calendar
Reposted by Jon Dunn
Postcard from the field today - and it's a contrasting one from tour leaders @dunnjons.bsky.social & David Moore, in Shetland and South Wales respectively.
Jon's got snow falling, but David's found a Red Admiral still active in a warm cemetery microclimate!
youtu.be/EDav87359Nc
Jon's got snow falling, but David's found a Red Admiral still active in a warm cemetery microclimate!
youtu.be/EDav87359Nc
January 2, 2026 at 4:43 PM
Postcard from the field today - and it's a contrasting one from tour leaders @dunnjons.bsky.social & David Moore, in Shetland and South Wales respectively.
Jon's got snow falling, but David's found a Red Admiral still active in a warm cemetery microclimate!
youtu.be/EDav87359Nc
Jon's got snow falling, but David's found a Red Admiral still active in a warm cemetery microclimate!
youtu.be/EDav87359Nc
Reposted by Jon Dunn
On New Year's Eve we had freezing fog all day, then suddenly at sunset it turned the most glorious pink and purple, a magical end to what had been a challenging 2025 for me.
Bring on brighter times for all! 💜 📷 🌿
#Scape #Photography #LandscapePhotography #Sunset #EastCoastKin
Bring on brighter times for all! 💜 📷 🌿
#Scape #Photography #LandscapePhotography #Sunset #EastCoastKin
January 2, 2026 at 8:57 AM
On New Year's Eve we had freezing fog all day, then suddenly at sunset it turned the most glorious pink and purple, a magical end to what had been a challenging 2025 for me.
Bring on brighter times for all! 💜 📷 🌿
#Scape #Photography #LandscapePhotography #Sunset #EastCoastKin
Bring on brighter times for all! 💜 📷 🌿
#Scape #Photography #LandscapePhotography #Sunset #EastCoastKin
Reposted by Jon Dunn
It's #FrohawkFriday, the day we celebrate the butterfly studies & artwork of FW Frohawk.
Today features Mazarine Blue, and Small Blue. The former was lost as a British resident species in the early 1900s; the latter declined over the 20th century, but hangs on in small colonies.
Today features Mazarine Blue, and Small Blue. The former was lost as a British resident species in the early 1900s; the latter declined over the 20th century, but hangs on in small colonies.
January 2, 2026 at 8:52 AM
It's #FrohawkFriday, the day we celebrate the butterfly studies & artwork of FW Frohawk.
Today features Mazarine Blue, and Small Blue. The former was lost as a British resident species in the early 1900s; the latter declined over the 20th century, but hangs on in small colonies.
Today features Mazarine Blue, and Small Blue. The former was lost as a British resident species in the early 1900s; the latter declined over the 20th century, but hangs on in small colonies.
Having a *lot* of fun this afternoon and evening writing about strange orchid occurrences in Britain in the past 50 years. This is a chapter I've been looking forward to getting my teeth into - there's plenty of new material come to light since I wrote Orchid Summer 10 years ago.
January 1, 2026 at 8:45 PM
Having a *lot* of fun this afternoon and evening writing about strange orchid occurrences in Britain in the past 50 years. This is a chapter I've been looking forward to getting my teeth into - there's plenty of new material come to light since I wrote Orchid Summer 10 years ago.
Reposted by Jon Dunn
Here's a grumpy little boy facing down the first sunrise of the year. In 2026, may we all, in our own way, be a grumpy little boy facing down the first sunrise of the year.
January 1, 2026 at 9:23 AM
Here's a grumpy little boy facing down the first sunrise of the year. In 2026, may we all, in our own way, be a grumpy little boy facing down the first sunrise of the year.
My first post of 2026. A Shetland #fencepost, 1/1/26. A fair assemblage of lichen on the croft boundary. I’ve seen better, but it’s a start.
January 1, 2026 at 1:13 PM
My first post of 2026. A Shetland #fencepost, 1/1/26. A fair assemblage of lichen on the croft boundary. I’ve seen better, but it’s a start.
Reposted by Jon Dunn
Looking back at 2025, we've lots to be proud of, not least having delivered some super tours to happy guests, and donations to @bsbibotany.bsky.social & @europebutterfly.bsky.social.
More news and looking forward to the year ahead in our New Year's Day blog:
www.mariposanature.com/about/news/2...
More news and looking forward to the year ahead in our New Year's Day blog:
www.mariposanature.com/about/news/2...
January 1, 2026 at 12:20 PM
Looking back at 2025, we've lots to be proud of, not least having delivered some super tours to happy guests, and donations to @bsbibotany.bsky.social & @europebutterfly.bsky.social.
More news and looking forward to the year ahead in our New Year's Day blog:
www.mariposanature.com/about/news/2...
More news and looking forward to the year ahead in our New Year's Day blog:
www.mariposanature.com/about/news/2...
Reposted by Jon Dunn
Flying into the New Year with hope and positivity! 🕊️🫶
Happy New Year everyone! Thank you to all those still here for our fun interactions, for all your kindness and support too over this past year. Here's to a wonderful year for nature too! 📷 🪶
#Photography #Birds #EastCoastKin #HappyNewYear
Happy New Year everyone! Thank you to all those still here for our fun interactions, for all your kindness and support too over this past year. Here's to a wonderful year for nature too! 📷 🪶
#Photography #Birds #EastCoastKin #HappyNewYear
January 1, 2026 at 8:56 AM
Flying into the New Year with hope and positivity! 🕊️🫶
Happy New Year everyone! Thank you to all those still here for our fun interactions, for all your kindness and support too over this past year. Here's to a wonderful year for nature too! 📷 🪶
#Photography #Birds #EastCoastKin #HappyNewYear
Happy New Year everyone! Thank you to all those still here for our fun interactions, for all your kindness and support too over this past year. Here's to a wonderful year for nature too! 📷 🪶
#Photography #Birds #EastCoastKin #HappyNewYear
Reposted by Jon Dunn
Our 2026 #OrchidsOfRhodes tour has been fully booked for the past 9 months...
The 2027 edition is already almost full, with just 2 places remaining available to join us - it's fair to say we're the first choice for orchid-hunting holidays in Europe. (2/2)
www.mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
The 2027 edition is already almost full, with just 2 places remaining available to join us - it's fair to say we're the first choice for orchid-hunting holidays in Europe. (2/2)
www.mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
Orchids of Rhodes
Led by Jon Dunn, author of 'Orchid Summer', and Richard Bate, one of the brightest stars in the European orchid scene, our time on Rhodes will be packed with colourful orchids - depending on the seaso...
www.mariposanature.com
January 1, 2026 at 8:49 AM
Our 2026 #OrchidsOfRhodes tour has been fully booked for the past 9 months...
The 2027 edition is already almost full, with just 2 places remaining available to join us - it's fair to say we're the first choice for orchid-hunting holidays in Europe. (2/2)
www.mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
The 2027 edition is already almost full, with just 2 places remaining available to join us - it's fair to say we're the first choice for orchid-hunting holidays in Europe. (2/2)
www.mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
Reposted by Jon Dunn
Starting the New Year as we mean to go on with some happy #bloomscrolling:
💮55 #orchid species recorded last year
💮Many hybrid & colour variety orchids seen
💮Dozens of happy guests
💮Two of Europe's keenest orchid-hunter as leaders
There's only one #OrchidsOfRhodes tour.
(1/2)
💮55 #orchid species recorded last year
💮Many hybrid & colour variety orchids seen
💮Dozens of happy guests
💮Two of Europe's keenest orchid-hunter as leaders
There's only one #OrchidsOfRhodes tour.
(1/2)
January 1, 2026 at 8:43 AM
Starting the New Year as we mean to go on with some happy #bloomscrolling:
💮55 #orchid species recorded last year
💮Many hybrid & colour variety orchids seen
💮Dozens of happy guests
💮Two of Europe's keenest orchid-hunter as leaders
There's only one #OrchidsOfRhodes tour.
(1/2)
💮55 #orchid species recorded last year
💮Many hybrid & colour variety orchids seen
💮Dozens of happy guests
💮Two of Europe's keenest orchid-hunter as leaders
There's only one #OrchidsOfRhodes tour.
(1/2)
Reposted by Jon Dunn
Happy New Year from us all here at Team Mariposa!
Wishing you a year ahead filled with friendship, happiness, good health, and wildlife wonders.
Butterflies and orchids will always have a special place in our hearts, so how better to celebrate the dawn of a new year than with them.
Wishing you a year ahead filled with friendship, happiness, good health, and wildlife wonders.
Butterflies and orchids will always have a special place in our hearts, so how better to celebrate the dawn of a new year than with them.
January 1, 2026 at 12:00 AM
Happy New Year from us all here at Team Mariposa!
Wishing you a year ahead filled with friendship, happiness, good health, and wildlife wonders.
Butterflies and orchids will always have a special place in our hearts, so how better to celebrate the dawn of a new year than with them.
Wishing you a year ahead filled with friendship, happiness, good health, and wildlife wonders.
Butterflies and orchids will always have a special place in our hearts, so how better to celebrate the dawn of a new year than with them.
Reposted by Jon Dunn
Tour update 🚨
As of this evening, our Summer Butterflies of the Spanish Pyrenees tour now has just 1 place remaining available to book to join us.
Naturally, the tour generates a donation to support the great work of our friends at @europebutterfly.bsky.social.
mariposanature.com/tours/butter...
As of this evening, our Summer Butterflies of the Spanish Pyrenees tour now has just 1 place remaining available to book to join us.
Naturally, the tour generates a donation to support the great work of our friends at @europebutterfly.bsky.social.
mariposanature.com/tours/butter...
December 31, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Tour update 🚨
As of this evening, our Summer Butterflies of the Spanish Pyrenees tour now has just 1 place remaining available to book to join us.
Naturally, the tour generates a donation to support the great work of our friends at @europebutterfly.bsky.social.
mariposanature.com/tours/butter...
As of this evening, our Summer Butterflies of the Spanish Pyrenees tour now has just 1 place remaining available to book to join us.
Naturally, the tour generates a donation to support the great work of our friends at @europebutterfly.bsky.social.
mariposanature.com/tours/butter...
Say you’re living in #Shetland without actually saying you’re living in Shetland…
Trying to concentrate on writing a book. And there’s a helicopter hovering outside the window. Very distracting! But as it’s the local coastguard rescue craft, I don’t mind at all. 🚁
Trying to concentrate on writing a book. And there’s a helicopter hovering outside the window. Very distracting! But as it’s the local coastguard rescue craft, I don’t mind at all. 🚁
December 31, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Say you’re living in #Shetland without actually saying you’re living in Shetland…
Trying to concentrate on writing a book. And there’s a helicopter hovering outside the window. Very distracting! But as it’s the local coastguard rescue craft, I don’t mind at all. 🚁
Trying to concentrate on writing a book. And there’s a helicopter hovering outside the window. Very distracting! But as it’s the local coastguard rescue craft, I don’t mind at all. 🚁
Reposted by Jon Dunn
We wouldn't be so arrogant as to describe the finding, on one of our tours in September, of one of the very first mainland European records of an African butterfly species as a valuable contribution to science, but it was certainly a huge highlight of Team Mariposa's year.
Until what happened in September, I wouldn't have hesitated to choose a close encounter with a huge male Brown Bear in Romania in May as my wildlife moment of the year. But then I found a Desert Babul Blue in Andalusia, and that tiny vagrant African butterfly triumphs hands down.
December 31, 2025 at 9:21 AM
We wouldn't be so arrogant as to describe the finding, on one of our tours in September, of one of the very first mainland European records of an African butterfly species as a valuable contribution to science, but it was certainly a huge highlight of Team Mariposa's year.
Reposted by Jon Dunn
Rosy hyacinth orchid (Dipodium roseum) still flowering at Christmas, Corunna, NSW. Only a few small scattered plants out this yr at home with almost no meaningful spring rainfall + a dry start to summer. But quite a few larger flowering stems out on roadside verges between Tilba and Narooma #orchids
December 28, 2025 at 2:42 AM
Rosy hyacinth orchid (Dipodium roseum) still flowering at Christmas, Corunna, NSW. Only a few small scattered plants out this yr at home with almost no meaningful spring rainfall + a dry start to summer. But quite a few larger flowering stems out on roadside verges between Tilba and Narooma #orchids
Reposted by Jon Dunn
Always a joy to hear a Dipper singing on a winter's day, the river hasn't frozen just yet... ❄️❄️❄️🪶 #highlandbirds
December 30, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Always a joy to hear a Dipper singing on a winter's day, the river hasn't frozen just yet... ❄️❄️❄️🪶 #highlandbirds