Roger Harding

Birds, orchids, butterflies and all other wildlife pestered by my camera. Love playing poker and harmonica (but not at the same time!)

[Mariposa Nature Tours @Mariposa_Nature]

Postcard from the field from tour leader David Moore:

Our Butterflies of North Greece group enjoyed a fabulous day of montane butterflies y'day, with highlights being Yellow-banded Skipper & Blue Argus, followed by a most enjoyable evening meal, joined by our local friend Nikos.

[Steve Parsons 💙 @StevePa46290725]

Last Pyramidal Orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalis) picture …. for this week anyway 😉 They’re so gorgeous! #orchid #dorset

[Global Birdfair @GlobalBirdfair]

🦆 Global Birdfair is exactly that!
🌍 Check out all these countries being represented at this year’s event
🇸🇹 Name this flag!
💚As we gather to inspire a love of nature we hope you’ll join us
🗓️ 10, 11 & 12 July
📍 Lyndon Top, Rutland LE15 8RN UK
🎟️ https://t.co/kr8cgUnDls

[Steve Parsons 💙 @StevePa46290725]

I love all Pyramidal orchids (Anacamptis pyramidalis), but the white ones are special 🤍 #orchid #dorset

[Steve Parsons 💙 @StevePa46290725]

‘Peak Pyramidal’ isn’t quite here yet, but we’re not far away ! Pyramidal orchids ( Anacamptis pyramidalis) in Dorset today 💜#orchid #dorset

[Liz Louise @Liz_Downey_]

I searched everywhere for a Bee orchid at Green Down with no joy, & then stumbled across lots of them at Hardington Moor NNR 😃 @BSBIbotany @wildflower_hour

[Mariposa Nature Tours @Mariposa_Nature]

Tour update 🚨

With another place reserved, our Autumn Exotica in Andalusia tour this coming September now has just 3 places left available to join legendary Spanish lepidopterist Miguel López Munguira in search of some outrageous autumn #butterflies.

https://t.co/o3aUYxoN3r

[Mariposa Nature Tours @Mariposa_Nature]

Postcard from the field from tour leader David Moore:

Our Butterflies of North Greece tour is off to a flying start, with superb views of mating Iolas Blue and Tessellated Skipper just two large (literally and figuratively!) highlights among many in the past 24 hours.

[Steve Parsons 💙 @StevePa46290725]

Another amazing Dorset roadside verge, this one 5 mins from home is full of life. Orchids, butterflies, moths, hoverflies, Knapweed Broomrape, and many other plants. See ALT text for details. #wildflower #dorset

[Steve Parsons 💙 @StevePa46290725]

The orchids of Powerstock Common NR today. Common Twayblade, Heath Spotted, Common Spotted, Bee, Greater Butterfly. See ALT text for details. #orchid #dorset @DorsetWildlife

[Mariposa Nature Tours @Mariposa_Nature]

Tour update 🚨

Our orchid tours are becoming renowned for the quality and quantity of species, hybrids and varieties our guests enjoy upon them, and also for how soon they fill in advance. Orchids of the Gargano 2027 has taken its first booking today...

https://t.co/L1qyVm4GSO

[Roger Harding @HardingRogerC]

#WildflowerHour #OrchidChallenge
Rackenford Moor, North Devon
Some delightful variation in Heath-spotteds.

[🍀dinesh patel 🦋 @lancsgp]

Bee Orchids showing in good numbers on roadside verges in Preston and Manchester #wildflowerhour #orchidchallenge #lancashire

[Roger Harding @HardingRogerC]

#WildflowerHour #OrchidChallenge
Braunton Burrows.
Pyramidal, Twayblade, Early Marsh, and another Belgarum Bee. Also saw hundreds of Southern Marsh.

[Jon Dunn 🇺🇦 @dunnjons]

Two red-hot Kent classic #orchids for this week's @wildflower_hour #OrchidChallenge, both seen while doing the pre-tour preparation for the @Mariposa_Nature Kent orchid day-trips this sultry weekend - Late Spider & Lizard Orchid.

[Steve Parsons 💙 @StevePa46290725]

A pretty pale variation of the Late Spider Orchid (Ophrys fuciflora) seen on the Kent downs this week #WildflowerHour #OrchidChallenge @wildflower_hour

[Steve Parsons 💙 @StevePa46290725]

Some of the amazing Man Orchids (Orchis anthropophora) seen in north Kent on my Road trip this week #WildflowerHour #OrchidChallenge @wildflower_hour

[Steve Parsons 💙 @StevePa46290725]

Very rare (and rather parched) Late Spider Orchids (Ophrys fuciflora) seen on the Kent downs this week #WildflowerHour #OrchidChallenge @wildflower_hour

[Steve Parsons 💙 @StevePa46290725]

How fortunate that the #WildflowerHour #OrchidChallenge should come in the same week as the ‘Orkids’ (my kids) annual Kent orchid road trip. 15 species seen as well as some nice colour variations and the traditional sea swim finale. See ALT text for details. @wildflower_hour

[Dr Richard Bate @thenewgalaxy]

31/5/26 - It has been a joy to lead our annual #OrchidsOfKent tour alongside @dunnjons. My highlight was catching #pseudocopulation in action for the second year running; this time a Eucera bee on a Late Spider #Orchid (Ophrys fuciflora). For the #wildflowerhour #OrchidChallenge