Dave Griffin is a lifelong naturalist whose obsession with the natural world began at age five, sparked by a gift of The Observer’s Book of British Butterflies. Since that first introduction, he has been captivated by the beauty and complex lifecycles of lepidoptera, particularly the “magic” of metamorphosis.
Originally from Bristol and now based in Nottinghamshire, David spends much of his retirement traveling across Europe’s butterfly hotspots. His field experience is rooted in decades of study, moving from observing and rearing British species to observing and documenting European species, including through the wonders of digital photography, which he enjoys and finds helps with observation and identification. David believes it’s also a valuable and important aid for helping to make trips fun and educational, for example, sociable & lively ID discussions over dinner in the evenings.
David is very enthusiastic about European butterflies and is competent at their identification. He is, however, very motivated to learn more and hone those skills still further. He’s an avid reader and collector of field guides, from the vintage classics to the latest publications, which he firmly believes helps to strengthen and complement his field skills. He has keen eyes and has also earned a reputation for possessing an “uncanny knack” for spotting wildlife in the field, including masters of camouflage like the Praying Mantis.
He brings a patient, easy-going, and understanding attitude to every tour. His professional background required the ability to build rapport quickly; a skill he now uses to connect with guests and foster a collaborative learning environment.
Having transitioned from solo expeditions to being part of, and now leading group trips, David finds his greatest reward in sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm with fellow nature lovers.
Although he loves exploring new areas of Europe and finding new species, David finds trying to understand their ecology adds a much greater depth to this hobby. On a recent tour of Turkey, he was fascinated as to why there was such a diversity of `Agrodiaetus blues`, whereas in Europe there are only a handful & mostly with very restricted range.
This inspired him to research this area & learn how this group of butterflies are believed to have evolved, along with their genetic connections to each other & it consequently changed his European based perspective on things.
Whether you are looking for a specific European rarity or simply want to appreciate the butterflies in beautiful and biodiverse areas, David’s infectious passion makes him an engaging companion in the field.
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