A trip to Cabilla Wood, near Bodmin in Cornwall at the weekend to photograph Brimstone Butterflies couldn’t have turned out much better considering it’s still only February. To see over 30 of these stunning butterflies on a walk along the … Read More
A February trip to Cabilla Wood, near Bodmin in Cornwall to photograph early Brimstone Butterflies had an unexpected bonus instore. While ‘trying’ to take photos of Brimstones flitting from primrose to primrose in an open glade alongside the River Fowey … Read More
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