David’s childhood coincided with that final period prior to the technological revolution in the late 70s/early 80s that brought forth videos, computers, console games and many other gadgets that provided an incentive for children to stay indoors rather than get their hands dirty by exploring and playing outside.
Having developed a keen interest in nature generally, and butterflies in particular, throughout these years, working life rudely intruded and David carried his passion for the natural world in a largely dormant state until 2008, when a move to south Wales rekindled his fire.
Since then, David has progressively developed a greater connection with the butterfly community and has been a committee member (and Treasurer) of the European Butterflies Group (EBG) branch of the Butterfly Conservation charity since 2020.
David is one of the members that responds to identification requests within this group as well as (until recently) performing the same role for the UK Butterflies website.
Having studied French at university, David spent a lot of time studying butterflies in France and began leading tours there in 2015. Since then, he has racked up numerous tours in France, Italy, Spain, and Greece, and has consequently familiarised himself with the best sites for the rarest butterflies in that region of the Mediterranean.
A career background in finance and a keen belief in efficiently and promptly communicating with people are key ingredients for operating a tour company and, on most occasions, David will be clients’ first port of call when contacting Mariposa Nature Tours.
