Paul Selby
@selbypaul.bsky.social
Butterfly Holiday Guide for Mariposa Nature Tours, Street Tree Campaigner, Elm Tree enthusiast, European Butterfly Watcher & Civil Servant.
Reposted by Paul Selby
We are so excited to announce that Spain's preeminent butterfly authority, Miguel López Munguira, is now part of Team Mariposa!
Miguel's vast knowledge and experience will enhance our existing Spanish tours; and he's also designing some new tours. We're over the moon! (1/2)
Miguel's vast knowledge and experience will enhance our existing Spanish tours; and he's also designing some new tours. We're over the moon! (1/2)
October 31, 2025 at 5:23 PM
We are so excited to announce that Spain's preeminent butterfly authority, Miguel López Munguira, is now part of Team Mariposa!
Miguel's vast knowledge and experience will enhance our existing Spanish tours; and he's also designing some new tours. We're over the moon! (1/2)
Miguel's vast knowledge and experience will enhance our existing Spanish tours; and he's also designing some new tours. We're over the moon! (1/2)
Reposted by Paul Selby
Our Orchids of Rhodes tour is the ultimate exploration of the orchid flora of that wonderful Greek island. The 2026 tour has been fully booked since April 2025, and now the first bookings are coming in for the 2027 tour... this one always fills fast! (And donates to support @bsbibotany.bsky.social)
October 12, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Our Orchids of Rhodes tour is the ultimate exploration of the orchid flora of that wonderful Greek island. The 2026 tour has been fully booked since April 2025, and now the first bookings are coming in for the 2027 tour... this one always fills fast! (And donates to support @bsbibotany.bsky.social)
Reposted by Paul Selby
Good morning and welcome to a new week!
This week's featured tour is Butterflies of North Greece, our immersion next June into the intoxicating richness of butterfly life in the region. With David Moore & Martin Davies as their leaders, guests are sure...(1/2)
mariposanature.com/tours/butter...
This week's featured tour is Butterflies of North Greece, our immersion next June into the intoxicating richness of butterfly life in the region. With David Moore & Martin Davies as their leaders, guests are sure...(1/2)
mariposanature.com/tours/butter...
October 13, 2025 at 5:37 AM
Good morning and welcome to a new week!
This week's featured tour is Butterflies of North Greece, our immersion next June into the intoxicating richness of butterfly life in the region. With David Moore & Martin Davies as their leaders, guests are sure...(1/2)
mariposanature.com/tours/butter...
This week's featured tour is Butterflies of North Greece, our immersion next June into the intoxicating richness of butterfly life in the region. With David Moore & Martin Davies as their leaders, guests are sure...(1/2)
mariposanature.com/tours/butter...
Reposted by Paul Selby
The new European Butterfly Red List is published today, with worrying findings. Over 1/4 (28%) of Europe’s 442 species are threatened with extinction or are close to being so. The situation is far worse for our 148 endemic species, 40% are now threatened or nearly so www.bc-europe.eu/webpage.php?...
October 11, 2025 at 9:17 AM
The new European Butterfly Red List is published today, with worrying findings. Over 1/4 (28%) of Europe’s 442 species are threatened with extinction or are close to being so. The situation is far worse for our 148 endemic species, 40% are now threatened or nearly so www.bc-europe.eu/webpage.php?...
Reposted by Paul Selby
It's #FrohawkFriday, the day we celebrate the butterfly studies & artwork of FW Frohawk.
Today features Large Heath, inhabitant of acidic, wet peatlands mostly in the north. Since Frohawk's time it's declined badly in England and Wales; Scotland remains a stronghold to this day.
Today features Large Heath, inhabitant of acidic, wet peatlands mostly in the north. Since Frohawk's time it's declined badly in England and Wales; Scotland remains a stronghold to this day.
October 3, 2025 at 4:50 AM
It's #FrohawkFriday, the day we celebrate the butterfly studies & artwork of FW Frohawk.
Today features Large Heath, inhabitant of acidic, wet peatlands mostly in the north. Since Frohawk's time it's declined badly in England and Wales; Scotland remains a stronghold to this day.
Today features Large Heath, inhabitant of acidic, wet peatlands mostly in the north. Since Frohawk's time it's declined badly in England and Wales; Scotland remains a stronghold to this day.
Reposted by Paul Selby
Good morning, and welcome to a new week!
Our featured tour this week is Butterflies of Tenerife, a guaranteed departure on 24-30 March 2026. Like ALL of our butterfly tours, it generates a donation to support the great work of @europebutterfly.bsky.social. (1/2)
mariposanature.com/tours/butter...
Our featured tour this week is Butterflies of Tenerife, a guaranteed departure on 24-30 March 2026. Like ALL of our butterfly tours, it generates a donation to support the great work of @europebutterfly.bsky.social. (1/2)
mariposanature.com/tours/butter...
September 29, 2025 at 5:02 AM
Good morning, and welcome to a new week!
Our featured tour this week is Butterflies of Tenerife, a guaranteed departure on 24-30 March 2026. Like ALL of our butterfly tours, it generates a donation to support the great work of @europebutterfly.bsky.social. (1/2)
mariposanature.com/tours/butter...
Our featured tour this week is Butterflies of Tenerife, a guaranteed departure on 24-30 March 2026. Like ALL of our butterfly tours, it generates a donation to support the great work of @europebutterfly.bsky.social. (1/2)
mariposanature.com/tours/butter...
Reposted by Paul Selby
An unforgettable day with my @mariposanature.bsky.social group.
I found Desert Babul Blue on the European mainland!
There are a mere handful of past claims of it - this is an African species that's an ultra-rarity in Europe. I'm in a state of some shock.
#butterflies @europebutterfly.bsky.social
I found Desert Babul Blue on the European mainland!
There are a mere handful of past claims of it - this is an African species that's an ultra-rarity in Europe. I'm in a state of some shock.
#butterflies @europebutterfly.bsky.social
September 27, 2025 at 5:05 PM
An unforgettable day with my @mariposanature.bsky.social group.
I found Desert Babul Blue on the European mainland!
There are a mere handful of past claims of it - this is an African species that's an ultra-rarity in Europe. I'm in a state of some shock.
#butterflies @europebutterfly.bsky.social
I found Desert Babul Blue on the European mainland!
There are a mere handful of past claims of it - this is an African species that's an ultra-rarity in Europe. I'm in a state of some shock.
#butterflies @europebutterfly.bsky.social
Reposted by Paul Selby
Dunn's Patent Pasha Paste.
Take one ripe banana. Slow cook on a car dashboard for a day in full sunlight until liquified. Add rum and sugar for added vim. Enter suitable hilltop habitat full of Strawberry Tree... (1/2)
Take one ripe banana. Slow cook on a car dashboard for a day in full sunlight until liquified. Add rum and sugar for added vim. Enter suitable hilltop habitat full of Strawberry Tree... (1/2)
September 26, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Dunn's Patent Pasha Paste.
Take one ripe banana. Slow cook on a car dashboard for a day in full sunlight until liquified. Add rum and sugar for added vim. Enter suitable hilltop habitat full of Strawberry Tree... (1/2)
Take one ripe banana. Slow cook on a car dashboard for a day in full sunlight until liquified. Add rum and sugar for added vim. Enter suitable hilltop habitat full of Strawberry Tree... (1/2)
Reposted by Paul Selby
Just three places remain available now to join us next year for our Late Spring Orchids of Sicily tour, led by 'Orchid Summer' author Jon Dunn, and local Sicilian naturalist legend Andrea Corso. As the Sicilians say, amuninni!
www.mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
www.mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
September 27, 2025 at 5:24 AM
Just three places remain available now to join us next year for our Late Spring Orchids of Sicily tour, led by 'Orchid Summer' author Jon Dunn, and local Sicilian naturalist legend Andrea Corso. As the Sicilians say, amuninni!
www.mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
www.mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
Reposted by Paul Selby
It's #FrohawkFriday, the day we celebrate the butterfly studies and artwork of FW Frohawk.
Today features Ringlet, a widespread species across most of Britain, whose range has expanded north a little since Frohawk's time. Bejewelled with eyespots, its name is self-explanatory.
Today features Ringlet, a widespread species across most of Britain, whose range has expanded north a little since Frohawk's time. Bejewelled with eyespots, its name is self-explanatory.
September 26, 2025 at 4:55 AM
It's #FrohawkFriday, the day we celebrate the butterfly studies and artwork of FW Frohawk.
Today features Ringlet, a widespread species across most of Britain, whose range has expanded north a little since Frohawk's time. Bejewelled with eyespots, its name is self-explanatory.
Today features Ringlet, a widespread species across most of Britain, whose range has expanded north a little since Frohawk's time. Bejewelled with eyespots, its name is self-explanatory.
Well and truly home now after 8 days on the @mariposanature.bsky.social holiday to Madeira. Such a wonderful island. Yes I focused on the endemic Madeiran butterflies. But the scenery is stunning. I'll certainly be visiting again. 😍
August 31, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Well and truly home now after 8 days on the @mariposanature.bsky.social holiday to Madeira. Such a wonderful island. Yes I focused on the endemic Madeiran butterflies. But the scenery is stunning. I'll certainly be visiting again. 😍
Fascinating Day 7 of the @mariposanature.bsky.social Madeira holiday. Hundreds of this Madeiran subspecies of Small Copper, having seen 0 previously. They're beautiful & locally common . Much underresearched in terms of their LHP & phenology. I suspect they'll become a distinct species soon
August 28, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Fascinating Day 7 of the @mariposanature.bsky.social Madeira holiday. Hundreds of this Madeiran subspecies of Small Copper, having seen 0 previously. They're beautiful & locally common . Much underresearched in terms of their LHP & phenology. I suspect they'll become a distinct species soon
Madeiran Speckled Wood on the left. (European) Speckled Wood (introduced invasive) on the right. Superficially similar but very different when seen in field. Fascinating to observe their different habitat likes & their interactions. Loving the @mariposanature.bsky.social holiday to Madeira
August 23, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Madeiran Speckled Wood on the left. (European) Speckled Wood (introduced invasive) on the right. Superficially similar but very different when seen in field. Fascinating to observe their different habitat likes & their interactions. Loving the @mariposanature.bsky.social holiday to Madeira
This is one of the two last Gatekeeper butterflies in my garden for this year. Still hanging on, but tatty round the edges. They don't normally last until mid-August, so it's been a long flight season given their early emergence this year.
August 11, 2025 at 10:05 AM
This is one of the two last Gatekeeper butterflies in my garden for this year. Still hanging on, but tatty round the edges. They don't normally last until mid-August, so it's been a long flight season given their early emergence this year.
Reposted by Paul Selby
My main target in Moscardón was the Zapata's Ringlet, an endemic in the area. The first day I drew a blank but a couple had been seen.
The second day I saw a couple in the afternoon, on the third day more but none behaved apart from one on a guy called Roberts wrist taking salt.
Blog on lojawildlife
The second day I saw a couple in the afternoon, on the third day more but none behaved apart from one on a guy called Roberts wrist taking salt.
Blog on lojawildlife
August 9, 2025 at 2:34 PM
My main target in Moscardón was the Zapata's Ringlet, an endemic in the area. The first day I drew a blank but a couple had been seen.
The second day I saw a couple in the afternoon, on the third day more but none behaved apart from one on a guy called Roberts wrist taking salt.
Blog on lojawildlife
The second day I saw a couple in the afternoon, on the third day more but none behaved apart from one on a guy called Roberts wrist taking salt.
Blog on lojawildlife
Reposted by Paul Selby
Some utterly gorgeous Iberian Sooty Copper basking in the morning sunlight heralded the start of our final full day in the Montes Universales yesterday.
August 5, 2025 at 10:51 PM
Some utterly gorgeous Iberian Sooty Copper basking in the morning sunlight heralded the start of our final full day in the Montes Universales yesterday.
Reposted by Paul Selby
Postcard from the field, from tour leader @dunnjons.bsky.social on our final full day of the Butterflies of the Montes Universales tour:
This was a day that included more wonderful views of endemic Zapater's Ringlet, but we were spoilt for choice as other beauties vied for our attention.
This was a day that included more wonderful views of endemic Zapater's Ringlet, but we were spoilt for choice as other beauties vied for our attention.
Some utterly gorgeous Iberian Sooty Copper basking in the morning sunlight heralded the start of our final full day in the Montes Universales yesterday.
August 5, 2025 at 10:52 PM
Postcard from the field, from tour leader @dunnjons.bsky.social on our final full day of the Butterflies of the Montes Universales tour:
This was a day that included more wonderful views of endemic Zapater's Ringlet, but we were spoilt for choice as other beauties vied for our attention.
This was a day that included more wonderful views of endemic Zapater's Ringlet, but we were spoilt for choice as other beauties vied for our attention.
Reposted by Paul Selby
More bad news for butterflies. Our new paper led by Wendy Leuenberger shows common species are declining even more rapidly than rare ones. @ZipkinLab
Three decades of declines restructure butterfly communities in the Midwestern United States | PNAS www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2501340122
Three decades of declines restructure butterfly communities in the Midwestern United States | PNAS www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2501340122
Three decades of declines restructure butterfly communities in the Midwestern United States | PNAS
Insects are declining worldwide. These declines have been documented across taxonomic
groups and are worrisome given ecosystem services provided by...
www.pnas.org
August 4, 2025 at 10:10 PM
More bad news for butterflies. Our new paper led by Wendy Leuenberger shows common species are declining even more rapidly than rare ones. @ZipkinLab
Three decades of declines restructure butterfly communities in the Midwestern United States | PNAS www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2501340122
Three decades of declines restructure butterfly communities in the Midwestern United States | PNAS www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2501340122
Reposted by Paul Selby
It's a guaranteed departure on 2-9 March 2026, and it's also guaranteed to generate a donation to our good friends at @bsbibotany.bsky.social, to help support their vital botanical conservation work. Great orchids, great birds, great reptiles, great butterflies - this tour has it all. (2/2)
August 4, 2025 at 5:10 AM
It's a guaranteed departure on 2-9 March 2026, and it's also guaranteed to generate a donation to our good friends at @bsbibotany.bsky.social, to help support their vital botanical conservation work. Great orchids, great birds, great reptiles, great butterflies - this tour has it all. (2/2)
Reposted by Paul Selby
Good morning, and welcome to a new week!
Our featured tour this week is Orchids of Cyprus, a marvellous way to start the spring, looking for orchids (and other wildlife) on this warm and friendly island with @thenewgalaxy.bsky.social & Dave Fairhurst. (1/2)
mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
Our featured tour this week is Orchids of Cyprus, a marvellous way to start the spring, looking for orchids (and other wildlife) on this warm and friendly island with @thenewgalaxy.bsky.social & Dave Fairhurst. (1/2)
mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
August 4, 2025 at 5:05 AM
Good morning, and welcome to a new week!
Our featured tour this week is Orchids of Cyprus, a marvellous way to start the spring, looking for orchids (and other wildlife) on this warm and friendly island with @thenewgalaxy.bsky.social & Dave Fairhurst. (1/2)
mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
Our featured tour this week is Orchids of Cyprus, a marvellous way to start the spring, looking for orchids (and other wildlife) on this warm and friendly island with @thenewgalaxy.bsky.social & Dave Fairhurst. (1/2)
mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
Reposted by Paul Selby
Mother of Pearl Blue - I will never get bored of these little gems, least of all when they're as fresh as this beauty was early this morning here in the Montes Universales.
August 1, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Mother of Pearl Blue - I will never get bored of these little gems, least of all when they're as fresh as this beauty was early this morning here in the Montes Universales.
Reposted by Paul Selby
It goes without saying that we love butterflies of all kinds, regardless of rarity, and take time on our tours to enjoy seeing the various aspects of their life cycles. Yesterday, here in the Montes Universales, a new generation of Silver-spotted Skipper was beginning.
August 2, 2025 at 5:56 AM
It goes without saying that we love butterflies of all kinds, regardless of rarity, and take time on our tours to enjoy seeing the various aspects of their life cycles. Yesterday, here in the Montes Universales, a new generation of Silver-spotted Skipper was beginning.
Reposted by Paul Selby
Chuffed to find a small colony of Chalkhill Blue on the Purbeck Ridge. First I have seen here in 5 years of looking. They have vanished from most of Dorset for unknown reasons. Either they are having a good year or I have been very unlucky in previous years! @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
July 24, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Chuffed to find a small colony of Chalkhill Blue on the Purbeck Ridge. First I have seen here in 5 years of looking. They have vanished from most of Dorset for unknown reasons. Either they are having a good year or I have been very unlucky in previous years! @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
Reposted by Paul Selby
You couldn't possibly micro-target this tour to me more effectively than showing that much thistle at once! 👀
July 20, 2025 at 12:51 AM
You couldn't possibly micro-target this tour to me more effectively than showing that much thistle at once! 👀
Reposted by Paul Selby
Postcard from the field, from our sun-drenched Pallas's Fritillary and Summer Butterflies of Hungary tour this week:
A roadside stop demonstrates how butterfly-rich this wonderful country is. Dozens of fritillaries in constant motion. Joy!
youtu.be/b13-wDvE3Go
A roadside stop demonstrates how butterfly-rich this wonderful country is. Dozens of fritillaries in constant motion. Joy!
youtu.be/b13-wDvE3Go
A thistle patch bursting with butterflies in Hungary
YouTube video by Mariposa Nature Tours
youtu.be
July 19, 2025 at 9:14 PM
Postcard from the field, from our sun-drenched Pallas's Fritillary and Summer Butterflies of Hungary tour this week:
A roadside stop demonstrates how butterfly-rich this wonderful country is. Dozens of fritillaries in constant motion. Joy!
youtu.be/b13-wDvE3Go
A roadside stop demonstrates how butterfly-rich this wonderful country is. Dozens of fritillaries in constant motion. Joy!
youtu.be/b13-wDvE3Go