Over wintering Stick-insects
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Despite sub zero temperatures a fully grown Unarmed Stick-insect was found in our garden this afternoon. Here, in the far south west of Cornwall, this is the first cold spell of the winter. Malcom Lee of the Phasmid Society informed … Read More

Common Scoter (Melanitta nigra) also known as Black Scoter
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This female Common Scoter has spent several days feeding in the sea around Pendennis Point, Falmouth. It’s normally difficult even getting close to these diving ducks from a boat, so when this female Common Scoter came within ten metres of … Read More

Waxwing invasion into the UK
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Thousands of Waxwing are now in the country and have reached the far south west of Cornwall. These were in Falmouth and part of a small flock of seven feeding on the berries of a small Cotoneaster bush in Marlborough … Read More

Waxwing influx reaches the far south west of the British Isles
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Slightly over-stated, perhaps, but the arrival of two of these stunning birds in the far south west of Cornwall is certainly newsworthy. They turned up in Mylor churchyard and for several days now have been gorging themselves on Yew tree … Read More

Yellow-browed Warbler in Cornwall
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Yet another large influx of these little warblers seems to be happening again this winter here in the far south west of Cornwall. This one was seen in Falmouth, in the trees around Pendennis Castle, while another was simultaneously being … Read More

Portland Ribbon Wave
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The 2012 records of this scarce migrant moth to the British Isles seem to confirm that it is resident in Cornwall. The highlight of our first full years recording moths at a site in Falmouth may have been Cornwall’s first … Read More

What’s the largest British insect?
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The tiny Unarmed Stick-insect nymphs hadn’t been seen in the garden since the end of March. April’s heavy rain no doubt was partly responsible as they only seem to emerge from the depths of shrubs and hedges to bask in … Read More

What’s that white butterfly with orange wingtips?
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This is the appropriately named Orange-tip butterfly which is on the wing at the moment. It’s only the male Orange-tip that has orange tips to its forewings and the plainer female can easily be mistaken for either a Small White … Read More

Heather Ladybirds
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The Heather Ladybird has been common in our garden for the last few weeks and doesn’t seem to show any great preference for any particular shrub despite there being abundant heather. This image is taken on a Bottlebrush Tree. Insight … Read More

New moth for Cornwall: Sombre Brocade
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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

Great Black-backed Gull
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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 in flower
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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

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