I’ve just returned from a week of exploring the magnificent peaks, valleys and immense cirques of French Pyrenees with @naturetrek.bsky.social. The mountains are home to a stunning array of butterflies and birds but for me, the flora stole the show.

While finalising arrangements for August's total solar eclipse, northern Spain has provided delights of the Narcissus kind! N. triandrus, N. bulbocodium and the diminutive N. minor.

Cruising towards Raja Ampat we spent yesterday viewing (and then snorkelling above!) a pod of Sperm Whales. This morning we went in search of the Kofiau Paradise-kingfisher a beautiful bird that's endemic to one small island in eastern Indonesia. Travelling with @naturetrek.bsky.social

Ahead of an 11 night wildlife cruise across eastern Indonesia, a day in Tangkoko (Sulawesi) provided encounters with many of the islands endemic birds and mammals and reptiles. Travelling with @naturetrek.bsky.social

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

Today was filled with some sensationally colourful wildlife. 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

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

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

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