One pair of Moorhen on Swanpool Local Nature Reserve are feeding three chicks at the moment. Many bird species have suffered from one of the wettest and coldest Aprils on record with failed nests widespread. Most species appear to have … Read More
Full moons, at the best of times, are the worst time to attract moths to light as its brightness reduces the effectiveness of the moth trap light. Last Saturday night I over optimistically set a 60Watt actinic light hoping the … Read More
Insight into Thick-legged flower beetle (Oedemera nobilis): a common beetle that can be identified by its dazzling colour and gap in the elytra (wing case). This gap in the elytra is not always so obvious but generally gives the appearance … Read More
These Cornish Chough were seen mating at the weekend on the north coast of Cornwall. Signs of another breeding pair are normally something to celebrate but on reporting the sighting to the RSPB’s Claire Mucklow I was in for a … Read More
At this time of year, for a couple of weeks, there are lots of large, black flies flying around with their legs dangling down. On the coast here in Cornwall they’re everywhere, getting blown into the long grasses and paired … Read More
These two fritillaries are very similar and although the Pearl-bordered is much scarcer than the Small Pearl-bordered there are sites where they occur in the same habitat and their flight periods overlap. These are the earliest fritillary butterfly species to … Read More
On 3 October 2011 a moth appeared in the trap that I didn’t instantly recognise. It was at a time of a large moth migratation into Cornwall so my interest in its identity was intensified by the thought it must … Read More
You just know when you visit the Lizard peninsula that you will find a wild flower that is beautiful or special and often both. This cushion of Spring Sandwort is undeniably beautiful with its flowers of 5 white petals on … Read More
Great Black-backed Gull never seem to miss an opportunity of a meal. This gull saw a Flounder in the clear waters off Castle beach, Falmouth and managed to reach it in the shallow water and drag it ashore. With lots … Read More
Spindle is better known for its bright pink fruit in the autumn and its flowers are rather insignificant for a small tree. The flowers are just beginning to open on this tree near Pendennis Point in Falmouth, Cornwall. It was … Read More
The spring passage of Whimbrel is in full swing in Cornwall at the moment. A flock of over 60 birds has been seen during the last week circulating between Pendennis Point and Rosemullion Head. These images were taken of the … Read More
These pigeons, seen on Lizard Point in Cornwall last weekend, showed many of the identifying features of the true wild Rock Dove (Columba livia) that are now restricted to only a few locations in Scotland and Northern Ireland. In comparison … Read More