Four LARGE COPPER butterflies (and their eggs laid on Water Dock) at the recently discovered West Midlands site this afternoon. Amazing to see this once extinct species back...whatever its provenance! #largecopper #butterfly

Sundew & Bladderwort flowering in bogland, #Mayo #wildflowerhour

This one is going to be a cracker - a chance not only to see some fantastic butterflies but also one to see a Total Solar Eclipse with #TeamMariposa in August 2026 I can’t wait! Mariposa Nature Tours

Front garden this morning a double Whammy , fly thru Hummingbird Hawkmoth , and more obliging Painted Lady on Red Valerian

Autumnal Firecrest singing in the back garden Devon Birds #torbay

Clouded yellow in flight with the brand new OmSystem 50-200 f2.8 OM SYSTEM Cameras Butterfly Conservation 🦋 RSPB

For this year's #wildflowerhour #favouriteplant challenge, I'm choosing this Fly #Orchid (Ophrys insectifera) with its enthusiastic visitor engaging in pseudocopulation. The best bit? Sharing it with my daughter, my co-leader Jon Dunn 🇺🇦 and several guests while leading a tour!

For my #favouriteplant torn between a few. Marsh Cinquefoil has to be near the top. Loved looking back over 2025 photos. #Wildflowerhour #wildflower #Autumn #Nature #Wild BSBI: Botanical Society of Britain & Ireland BSBI Ireland Rebecca Wheeler wildflowerhour Ulster Wildlife Plantlife The Wildlife Trusts

#WildFlowerhour #Favouriteflower I've chosen the beautiful Grass of Parnassus (Parnassia palustris) as it's the first time I've ever seen this stunning plant which has been on my wish list for a few years.

Too hard picking one, so I have a top 3! In 2nd place, the stunning Grass of Parnassus at #WaitbyGreenriggs #Cumbria in August with translucent petals and intricate centres. #Wildflowerhour wildflowerhour BSBI: Botanical Society of Britain & Ireland #bloomscrolling

The second of two from me, for the #favouriteplant challenge. My favourite ‘new to me’ plant of 2025 - the extraordinary Marsh Gentian #wildflowerhour wildflowerhour

Oh, and I need a favourite orchid for the #favouriteplant challenge. It’s one I’ve seen many times before, but I can never get enough of. My perennial favourite, the Monkey Orchid, I had a lovely encounter with a special population this year #wildflowerhour wildflowerhour

Without a doubt my #FavouritePlant this year has been the diminutive lesser twayblade, Neottia cordata. Hiding amongst the heather, this tiny fairy of a plant completely stole my heart. Many thanks once more to Richard Dr Richard Bate for the clear directions #WildflowerHour

The Heath Spotted-orchids on Tow Head were stunning in June. #wildflowerhour #FavouritePlant

I didn’t see many Spiked Speedwell flowers this year, which made the ones I did see even more special. My #FavouritePlant for 2025! A huge thanks to #WildflowerHour for making me notice the beauty that surrounds us.

4/10/25 - There are always great #orchids to be seen in October but you have to put yourself out there to find them! Goodyera macrophylla is an endemic of #Madeira and one you have to put a real shift in for! Joined by my good friend Jon Dunn 🇺🇦 every step of the way #teamorchid

One of the very best days, #orchid-hunting with my good mate and fellow Mariposa Nature Tours leader Dr Richard Bate in Madeira. We found over 20 flowering plants of European über-rarity, Goodyera macrophylla. A day of amazing plants, great company, good laughs, and muddy boots!

4/10/25 #Madeira - Madeira Chaffinch (Fringilla maderensis) taking a bath in a levada. Known as “tentilhão” this #bird is #endemic to the island, and is not found anywhere else is Macaronesia.

Good luck to everyone trying for the Needletail tonight, I hope it brings you as much joy as it did me! 💚 RareBirdAlertUK

Does it get much better than this? 🤯🤯 Absolutely incredible scenes yesterday at Scarborough Castle as the White-throated Needletail dominated the skies right above our heads! What birding dreams are made of ❤️ #Kingofthecastle 🏰 #Kingoftheskies 👑