8th – 15th April 2025
Northern Greece
Firstly, Happy New Year to everyone! We hope 2025 will be a much better butterfly year in the UK and further afield!
Every year we run an early spring trip to Northern Greece, primarily to find the rare and beautiful False Apollo (Archon apollinus). We also usually see 40-50 other species too, which makes it a great trip to start your European butterfly watching campaign with!
One place has become available to join us. View more details on our website and do feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
False Apollo & Spring Butterflies
The tour is led by two superb and highly experienced and qualified Lepidopterists. Dr Michael de Courcy Williams, who lives in the area and has been monitoring the butterflies there for years, especially the False Apollo. Plus, Peter Eeles, author of Life Cycles of British & Irish Butterflies & British & Irish Rarities.
The area visited for the False Apollo suffered terrible forest fires in 2023 and despite Michael’s confidence based on his own regular observations, it was with some trepidation that we ventured there with our group this year. Thankfully, despite the impact of the fires, we still saw decent numbers of the butterfly. Michael believes this is partly due to the species survival tactic of burying its pupa quite deep in the forest litter layer and soil.
We are therefore hopeful of an even better season in 2025. As well as a trip to enjoy viewing butterflies, the records obtained during it are valuable data and contribute to the knowledge of how the species has coped with the fires and how conservation efforts may be targeted. The very fact that we visit the area for ecotourism also adds to raising the awareness and profile of butterflies and of wildlife and conservation overall too, especially to the local population and authorities.
You can view a talk by Michael, which he did for the Swallowtail & Birdwing Butterfly Trust, by clicking the following link: On the Edge: Archon, Allancastria and Zerynthia in Eastern Europe – Dr Michael de Courcy Williams.
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