A Bloxworth Snout, Hypena obsitalis, found hibernating in the garden shed was a new moth species for the garden. This Red Data Book species has only recently colonised parts of the south coast but now looks to have firmly established … Read More
A summer plumaged Great Northern Diver, Gavia immer was seen at the weekend on a pool at Long Rock, Marazion, near Penzance, Cornwall. These really are smart looking birds in comparison to the winter plumaged Great Northern Divers that are … Read More
The Osprey seen fishing around the Hayle Estuary at the weekend certainly brought back a few memories. I well remember seeming my first British Osprey at Boat of Garten in Scotland’s Cairngorms during a Geography field course – a few … Read More
Don’t panic – this was not the evil work of a maniac on the loose but a Sparrowhawk, Accipiter nisus, doing what nature designed it to do. A male Sparrowhawk brought down a Wood Pigeon in the garden last week … Read More
It’s that time of the year when Hawkmoth caterpillars are on the move looking for somewhere to pupate in the soil. The caterpillars of Eyed Hawkmoth, Poplar Hawk-moth, Lime Hawkmoth, Privet Hawkmoth and Elephant Hawk-moth have all been see in … Read More
The Clouded Yellow Butterfly (Colias croceus) caterpillars being reared from collected eggs are growing rapidly and have been joined by an unexpected arrival. Clovers brought in from the garden three weeks ago to feed them happened to have a tiny … Read More
It’s not everyday that I’m invited to see and photograph a moth species new to me. And certainly not one as fascinating as the Sandhill Rustic with its four subspecies, Leechi, knilli, guennee and demuthi, each differing slightly in appearance, … Read More
The one disappointing thing about seeing lots of Clouded Yellow Butterflies, Colias croceus, is that they rarely sit still with wings open. This is a real shame as they really are magnificent butterflies. Well, for once, a wings open moment … Read More
In recent days the influx of Clouded Yellow butterflies from the continent has increased further. Counts in the hundreds have been had at coastal sites in south west Cornwall. The arrivals have included a number of the female form helice. … Read More
In recent days many parts of the south coast have seen the arrival of good numbers of Clouded Yellow butterflies. This one was one of four sighted at the mouth of the Helford Estuary, in south west Cornwall. This included … Read More
Fortunately for many people it’s not necessary to visit the Tower of London to see a Raven, Corvus corax. Here, all around the rocky coastline of south west Cornwall, Ravens are almost guaranteed to be seen when walking the South … Read More
One butterfly that appears to doing well is the stunning Red Admiral Butterfly Despite comparatively low numbers seen earlier in the year the nettle tents containing the caterpillars seem to be quite common now. The Red Admiral Caterpillars are seldom … Read More