Paul Selby
@selbypaul.bsky.social
Butterfly Holiday Guide for Mariposa Nature Tours, Street Tree Campaigner, Elm Tree enthusiast, European Butterfly Watcher & Civil Servant.
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.
Ended my time in south Spain today with this Plain Tiger. This following my 5th new species in 3 days with Andalucian Anomalous Blue. Back to work tomorrow!
Thanks to @lojawildlife.bsky.social for the help in site identification
Thanks to @lojawildlife.bsky.social for the help in site identification
July 16, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Ended my time in south Spain today with this Plain Tiger. This following my 5th new species in 3 days with Andalucian Anomalous Blue. Back to work tomorrow!
Thanks to @lojawildlife.bsky.social for the help in site identification
Thanks to @lojawildlife.bsky.social for the help in site identification
Truly overjoyed with finding Nevada Grayling! Almost certainly on its way to extinction in Europe due to climate change. But found 3, clinging on in the high Sierra Nevada in Spain. Never thought I'd see this species! 😍🦋😀. Huge thanks to @lojawildlife.bsky.social for guiding me over the 3 day trip.
July 15, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Truly overjoyed with finding Nevada Grayling! Almost certainly on its way to extinction in Europe due to climate change. But found 3, clinging on in the high Sierra Nevada in Spain. Never thought I'd see this species! 😍🦋😀. Huge thanks to @lojawildlife.bsky.social for guiding me over the 3 day trip.
After 3 weeks out of the last 4 guiding @mariposanature.bsky.social holidays, time for my own holiday. In the Sierra Nevada in Spain. Three endemics (Spanish Brassy Ringlet, Nevada Blue & Spanish Red Underwing Skipper) plus the endemic subspecies of Apollo. A great day!
July 14, 2025 at 8:40 PM
After 3 weeks out of the last 4 guiding @mariposanature.bsky.social holidays, time for my own holiday. In the Sierra Nevada in Spain. Three endemics (Spanish Brassy Ringlet, Nevada Blue & Spanish Red Underwing Skipper) plus the endemic subspecies of Apollo. A great day!
Day 7 of the @mariposanature.bsky.social holiday to the French Alps gave us spectacular views. But also two more butterfly species too. Osiris Blue & Riparts Anomalous Blue takes us to 135 species. Smashing the previous record of 132 for these 8 day trips.
July 12, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Day 7 of the @mariposanature.bsky.social holiday to the French Alps gave us spectacular views. But also two more butterfly species too. Osiris Blue & Riparts Anomalous Blue takes us to 135 species. Smashing the previous record of 132 for these 8 day trips.
While we saw many other wonderful high altitude species, Day 5 of the @mariposanature.bsky.social French Alps holiday was dominated by Cynthia's Fritillary. Guests were delighted to see so many and so settled. Including male and female together.
July 11, 2025 at 6:40 AM
While we saw many other wonderful high altitude species, Day 5 of the @mariposanature.bsky.social French Alps holiday was dominated by Cynthia's Fritillary. Guests were delighted to see so many and so settled. Including male and female together.
An excellent high altitude Day 3 of the @mariposanature.bsky.social holiday to the French Alps. These Silvery Argus, Balkan Fritillary,Grison's Fritillary & Niobe Fritillary were amongst the many stars of the show.
July 8, 2025 at 3:33 PM
An excellent high altitude Day 3 of the @mariposanature.bsky.social holiday to the French Alps. These Silvery Argus, Balkan Fritillary,Grison's Fritillary & Niobe Fritillary were amongst the many stars of the show.
Day 2 of the @mariposanature.bsky.social French Alps holiday. We're now up to 86 species. Ranging from early Spring species like Orange Tip to high summer species like Chalkhill Blue. But I was very taken with this lovely Cleopatra. Often seen, but rarely so confiding
July 7, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Day 2 of the @mariposanature.bsky.social French Alps holiday. We're now up to 86 species. Ranging from early Spring species like Orange Tip to high summer species like Chalkhill Blue. But I was very taken with this lovely Cleopatra. Often seen, but rarely so confiding
Day 1 of the @mariposanature.bsky.social holiday to the French Alps. Great Sooty Satyr stole the show in good numbers and very confiding too. But it's hard to resist a fresh Spotted Fritillary.
July 6, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Day 1 of the @mariposanature.bsky.social holiday to the French Alps. Great Sooty Satyr stole the show in good numbers and very confiding too. But it's hard to resist a fresh Spotted Fritillary.
Day 6 of the @mariposanature.bsky.social holiday to Serbia included Poplar Admiral, Hungarian Glider and Russian Heath. Another glorious day, the sheer biomass of butterflies was like nothing I've seen before.
June 30, 2025 at 6:46 AM
Day 6 of the @mariposanature.bsky.social holiday to Serbia included Poplar Admiral, Hungarian Glider and Russian Heath. Another glorious day, the sheer biomass of butterflies was like nothing I've seen before.
Day 5 (yesterday) of the @mariposanature.bsky.social holiday to Serbia was all about getting up close with some of the species. Chequered Blue, Lesser Purple Emperor & Sooty Copper were my favourites!
June 29, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Day 5 (yesterday) of the @mariposanature.bsky.social holiday to Serbia was all about getting up close with some of the species. Chequered Blue, Lesser Purple Emperor & Sooty Copper were my favourites!
LESSER LATTICE BROWN 🤪 - Who said Brown butterflies were boring!?
Seen on the @Mariposa_Nature holiday to Serbia. This is a rare and local species. Very hard to see. Hence the guests and I getting very excited on seeing 7+
Seen on the @Mariposa_Nature holiday to Serbia. This is a rare and local species. Very hard to see. Hence the guests and I getting very excited on seeing 7+
June 27, 2025 at 7:42 PM
LESSER LATTICE BROWN 🤪 - Who said Brown butterflies were boring!?
Seen on the @Mariposa_Nature holiday to Serbia. This is a rare and local species. Very hard to see. Hence the guests and I getting very excited on seeing 7+
Seen on the @Mariposa_Nature holiday to Serbia. This is a rare and local species. Very hard to see. Hence the guests and I getting very excited on seeing 7+
Day 3 of the @mariposanature.bsky.social butterfly holiday to Serbia was spent around Stara Planina. This fabled butterfly spotting territory produced the goods big style. Balkan Copper, Hungarian Glider & Bog Fritillary were the highlights amongst many others.
June 26, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Day 3 of the @mariposanature.bsky.social butterfly holiday to Serbia was spent around Stara Planina. This fabled butterfly spotting territory produced the goods big style. Balkan Copper, Hungarian Glider & Bog Fritillary were the highlights amongst many others.
Back in the UK and pleased to see my first Ringlet in my garden meadow this year. Just a 10 metre x 10 metre meadow, I'm always amazed at how the colony is sustained.
June 20, 2025 at 10:59 AM
Back in the UK and pleased to see my first Ringlet in my garden meadow this year. Just a 10 metre x 10 metre meadow, I'm always amazed at how the colony is sustained.
I know, yes, it's obscured slightly by some grass. But this is Alpine Grayling, one of the hardest butterflies in Europe to see & photo. Seen today on Day 6 of the @mariposanature.bsky.social holiday to the Italian Alps & French Mercantour. A new species for me and our guests delighted! 🦋
June 17, 2025 at 8:41 PM
I know, yes, it's obscured slightly by some grass. But this is Alpine Grayling, one of the hardest butterflies in Europe to see & photo. Seen today on Day 6 of the @mariposanature.bsky.social holiday to the Italian Alps & French Mercantour. A new species for me and our guests delighted! 🦋
Star of the show on Day 5 of the @mariposanature.bsky.social holiday to the Italian Alps & French Mercantour was Southern Swallowtail. There were 10+ individuals, some of which kindly stopped for nectar and photos! 🦋
June 17, 2025 at 4:55 AM
Star of the show on Day 5 of the @mariposanature.bsky.social holiday to the Italian Alps & French Mercantour was Southern Swallowtail. There were 10+ individuals, some of which kindly stopped for nectar and photos! 🦋
It's not all about the butterflies here on the @mariposanature.bsky.social holiday to the Italian Alps & French Mercantour. The scenery and meadows on Day 4 of the trip were also spectacular.
June 15, 2025 at 3:54 PM
It's not all about the butterflies here on the @mariposanature.bsky.social holiday to the Italian Alps & French Mercantour. The scenery and meadows on Day 4 of the trip were also spectacular.
Day 3 of the @mariposanature.bsky.social holiday to the Italian Alps & French Mercantour. Amongst other highlights was this Reverdin's Blue egg laying. Poplar Admiral also seen, we're already up to 83 butterfly species
June 15, 2025 at 4:10 AM
Day 3 of the @mariposanature.bsky.social holiday to the Italian Alps & French Mercantour. Amongst other highlights was this Reverdin's Blue egg laying. Poplar Admiral also seen, we're already up to 83 butterfly species
Another star of today's @Mariposa_Nature holiday to the Italian Alps & French Mercantour was this Titania's Fritillary. Mint fresh and handsome too! 😍
June 13, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Another star of today's @Mariposa_Nature holiday to the Italian Alps & French Mercantour was this Titania's Fritillary. Mint fresh and handsome too! 😍
The first evening at our first hotel on the @mariposanature.bsky.social holiday to the Italian Alps & French Mercantour. We were treated to this Scops Owl calling just outside the hotel. (Sound up loud)
June 12, 2025 at 8:53 PM
The first evening at our first hotel on the @mariposanature.bsky.social holiday to the Italian Alps & French Mercantour. We were treated to this Scops Owl calling just outside the hotel. (Sound up loud)
Day 1 of the @mariposanature.bsky.social holiday to the Italian Alps & French Mercantour. Here's the view from the hotel, even before we start searching for the fabulous butterflies! 😍 Third year on the trot. Hopefully you can see why I keep on coming back for more...
June 12, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Day 1 of the @mariposanature.bsky.social holiday to the Italian Alps & French Mercantour. Here's the view from the hotel, even before we start searching for the fabulous butterflies! 😍 Third year on the trot. Hopefully you can see why I keep on coming back for more...
A brave Speckled Wood butterfly here near Kirkby Stephen today. Cool and rainy. Yet it was still out and about! 🦋
June 5, 2025 at 12:15 PM
A brave Speckled Wood butterfly here near Kirkby Stephen today. Cool and rainy. Yet it was still out and about! 🦋