For such a small country (20,000 km²), Slovenia is amazingly diverse. After all, the distance from the closest point on the Adriatic coast (Ankaran) to top of its highest peak (Triglav 2,864 metres) is just 88 kilometres (55 miles) as the crow flies. This enormous diversity in landscape, climate and topography is reflected in the country’s biodiversity and no more so than in the 179 species of butterflies regularly recorded. To put that in context Great Britain and Ireland (315,159 km², about 16 times as large) has 58 resident (or reintroduced) species. These range from the gaudy and impressive swallowtails, emperors and apollos to the more subtle beauty of the Large Chequered Skipper, hairstreaks and blues. There is also a fine array of stunning coppers including Large, Scarce and Purple Shot. The butterfly fauna is genuinely remarkable for such a small country. Some of the species in Slovenia are confined to the areas with a Mediterranean climate while others, some of them very rare such as False Ringlet and Purple-shot Copper are more typical of peatbogs and wetlands. Another environment rich in species, particularly in ringlets of the genus Erebia, are the high Alps above 1500 metres where more than a dozen species are found.

We will visit the country during June when the butterfly diversity is at its highest and we will base ourselves in comfortable hotels in fabulous settings to sample the variety of habitats all within a short drive. We will be based in the South West for the first half of the tour. From here we will explore the dry meadows for a range of fritillaries, such as Twin Spot, Niobe, High Brown and the stunning Queen of Spain resplendent in its silvery pearls. There will also be a number of blue species such as Eschers, Amandas and Alcon among other more familiar species. We will also visit wet meadows that will include species such as the Large Copper, False Heath and a variety of hairstreaks. Lastly, we will explore some of the wooded valleys for Purple and the gorgeous Lesser Purple (often the Clytie form). Here we will also find Southern White Admiral and gliders. With a little luck a sighting of the Poplar Admiral is possible.

We then move North for the second part of the tour and look for a variety of higher altitude species including the imperious Apollo, ringlets and alpine blues and heaths. We will make a special effort to find the Asian and Scarce Fritillaries. All this will be set against a stunning backdrop of Alpine peaks and dramatic scenery. For those interested in bird life there will also be eagles, vultures and choughs in these high mountainous areas.

Along the mountain streams we will look out for Map Butterfly, Large Chequered Skippers and Dippers bobbing around on boulders. There is in short an incredible amount of wildlife to compliment the butterflies and we will be running moth traps for the nocturnal species, but there are plenty of eye catching day moths, Cream-spot Tiger, Nine-spot moth and Hummingbird Hawk Moths are just a few examples.

If all this is not enough there is also a good chance of sightings of such elusive mammals such as Beech Marten and Chamois. Some of the other birds we may encounter include, Wryneck, Red-backed Shrike, Black Woodpecker and Black Redstart. This will be a butterfly and wildlife packed week.

In geographical terms, the Primorska region in southwest Slovenia has the highest butterfly diversity in the country. Its limestone karstic ridges, dry grasslands, rich meadows and open woodlands represent an ideal mix of diverse habitats for butterflies. In some areas, species of different biogeographical zones (Mediterranean, Continental, Alpine) can be found all at the same sites

This promises to be a very popular tour – we recommend booking early to avoid disappointment!