David Phillips
@atomstogalaxies.bsky.social
Interested in all things in the natural world, and worlds beyond
The Waxbill, a bird of sub-Saharan Africa, has become naturalised in Portugal and a common sight. This morning we watched these birds in the hedgerows and feeding on the seedheads of rushes.
In Portugal with @naturetrek.bsky.social
In Portugal with @naturetrek.bsky.social
November 17, 2025 at 11:38 PM
The Waxbill, a bird of sub-Saharan Africa, has become naturalised in Portugal and a common sight. This morning we watched these birds in the hedgerows and feeding on the seedheads of rushes.
In Portugal with @naturetrek.bsky.social
In Portugal with @naturetrek.bsky.social
Following Storm Claudia there's a lot of water in the fields around the Tagus Estuary. Many of the birds have moved to different locations, some gathering in huge flocks.
An extraordinary start to a week in Portugal with @naturetrek.bsky.social
An extraordinary start to a week in Portugal with @naturetrek.bsky.social
November 17, 2025 at 11:08 PM
Following Storm Claudia there's a lot of water in the fields around the Tagus Estuary. Many of the birds have moved to different locations, some gathering in huge flocks.
An extraordinary start to a week in Portugal with @naturetrek.bsky.social
An extraordinary start to a week in Portugal with @naturetrek.bsky.social
We've seen many waterfalls whilst travelling in Iceland this week but Svartifoss, with its basalt columns, must be the most pleasing. Leading for
@naturetrek.bsky.social
@naturetrek.bsky.social
September 11, 2025 at 8:07 AM
We've seen many waterfalls whilst travelling in Iceland this week but Svartifoss, with its basalt columns, must be the most pleasing. Leading for
@naturetrek.bsky.social
@naturetrek.bsky.social
It was wonderful to see several Wood Whites at Bury Ditches yesterday, but better still comes the news that they've hopped over the border into Wales. butterfly-conservation.org/news-and-blo...
August 14, 2025 at 4:32 AM
It was wonderful to see several Wood Whites at Bury Ditches yesterday, but better still comes the news that they've hopped over the border into Wales. butterfly-conservation.org/news-and-blo...
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
@savebutterflies.bsky.social
July 28, 2025 at 1:18 PM
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
@savebutterflies.bsky.social
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.
July 14, 2025 at 1:01 PM
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
June 30, 2025 at 1:35 PM
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
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.
In the Swiss canton of Valais with @naturetrek.bsky.social.
June 22, 2025 at 2:59 AM
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.
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
June 9, 2025 at 9:20 PM
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.
In Romania with @naturetrek.bsky.social.
May 31, 2025 at 3:38 AM
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.
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.
In Romania with @naturetrek.bsky.social.
May 25, 2025 at 2:55 AM
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.
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
Heath and Knapweed Fritillary, Sand Lizard and European Bee-eaters. In Romania with @naturetrek.bsky.social
May 22, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Today was filled with some sensationally colourful wildlife.
Heath and Knapweed Fritillary, Sand Lizard and European Bee-eaters. In Romania with @naturetrek.bsky.social
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
May 6, 2025 at 2:03 AM
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
May 5, 2025 at 7:56 PM
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
May 2, 2025 at 2:03 AM
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
April 30, 2025 at 8:48 PM
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
March 21, 2025 at 8:17 PM
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
A bright, frosty morning at Longmoor and the mellifluous descending call of Woodlarks filled the air. #HantBirds #HantsBirding #birds
February 28, 2025 at 4:00 PM
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
February 2, 2025 at 8:24 AM
A fine week of Portuguese nature concluded with super views of Common Cranes and Great Bustards in the Alentejo region with @naturetrek@bsky.social