The February sunshine encouraged two overwintering Peacock butterflies to sunbath on the path leading down to Kynance Cove in south west Cornwall. Stunning butterflies in an equally beautiful setting. Another Peacock was seen the following day at Flushing on the … Read More

A Small Tortoiseshell found fluttering in the bathroom is my first butterfly of the year. A welcome sight despite the butterfly having been prematurely aroused from its overwintering slumber by the warmth of the central heating. Without any nectaring sources … Read More

Five Common Eider Ducks were feeding on crabs in Newlyn Harbour yesterday. It was fascinating watching the ducks surface with extremely lively crabs and to try to eat them before the waiting gulls could snatch them away. All were immature … Read More

Over 200 Grey Seals were hauled out at Mutton Cove, Godrevy in Cornwall last week. They seem to be doing well as we only saw half that number in January a few years ago. This is still one of our … Read More

  A Lappet moth was one of the highlights of a successful moth course run by David Brown at the Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Kingcombe Centre and Reserve. This cryptically camouflaged moth was attracted to light and photographed by June Clouston … Read More

  Extensive caterpillar webs of several species of tiny Ermine Moth, micro moth family Yponomeutidae, are being sighted in many parts of the UK. The small caterpillars of Ermine species are often difficult to identify, particularly when inside the silk … Read More

Convict Caterpillars eating lilies and amaryllis. In recent days there have been several sightings from Florida in the US of the Convict Moth caterpillar. These are the boldly marked black and white striped caterpillars of the Spanish Moth (Xanthopastis regnatrix) … Read More

Spanish caterpillar on broccoli This green caterpillar of the Small White Butterfly, Artopeia rapae, was found by Katie Stainwright on broccoli imported into the UK from Spain . The butterfly also occurs in the UK and can be a pest … Read More

May caterpillars In May large numbers of moth and butterfly eggs hatch. These tiny caterpillars feast on the buds and new leaves of a wide variety of plants. As well as these young caterpillars there are also species which have … Read More

Venomous Adder, Common European Viper, Vipera berus A visit to the dramatic sea cliffs of Porthgwarra, one of Cornwall’s best seawatching and bird migration places, produced a real mix of wildlife. Out at sea hundreds of Manx Shearwaters and Auks … Read More

Appropriately for the official first day of Summer several butterflies were sighted in the garden in Falmouth, Cornwall. Pairs of Peacock Butterflies and Small Tortoiseshell Butterflies were in the mood for courting. A single Comma Butterfly tried to join in … Read More

First butterflies of Spring At last, real signs of Spring! For many of us it’s the first butterflies that mean Spring is really here. At the weekend Small Tortoiseshell Butterflies and Peacock Butterflies were seen both at Porthoustock on the … Read More

Several Iceland Gulls and Glaucous Gulls have been recorded around the coast of south west Cornwall this winter. Some of the fishing ports have had long stayers attracted by the unloading fishing boats. One of the best places to see … Read More

A late migrant Painted Lady butterfly was seen nectaring on Red Valerium at Porthallow on the Lizard, Cornwall on the 17th November. Peacock and Red Admiral butterflies were also seen basking in winter sunshine. The nearby sheltered beach of Porthoustock … Read More

The recent southerly winds off the continent brought an unusual insect to the garden. A Western Conifer Seed Bug was found on a wall close to a light trap set to attract migratory moths. A recent UK colonist it may … Read More

Recent moth, butterfly and caterpillar sightings have included several Death’s Head Hawkmoth caterpillars. Two have been from the Isle of Wight. Violet Mareck found one munching leaves on her Olive Tree. While Sharon Pagnell recorded a yellow form on a … Read More

The 1000th identification enquiry of the year arrived at the weekend. Appropriately it was the Vapourer moth caterpillar, Orgyia antigua. A species that for the last 8 years has featured in the top three most frequently enquired about species An … Read More

Weather continues very hot here in Cornwall. On the coast cooling winds are always welcome. At Trevose Headland on the North Atlantic coast several Dark Green Fritillary Butterflies, Argynnis aglaja, were active along the headland. As were several Hummingbird Hawkmoths. … Read More