Last week the tides were some of the biggest of the year and so it was an excellent time to explore the rock pools at low water. The lower shore on Rosemulion Head, near the Helford River, was thick with … Read More
In recent days several 7-spot Ladybirds have appeared in the garden. This species is by far the most common ladybird we see both in the garden and in the surrounding Cornish countryside. Insight into 7-spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata): Although it … Read More
A single male Diurnea fagella, an early flying British micro moth, was attracted to a window light last night. Like several of the early flying moths the females (above right) have reduced wings and cannot fly. They attract males by … Read More
This Bluebell was photographed 10 days ago when it looked more like a stem of asparagus! It’s now fully open in the bright sunshine in a sheltered part of the garden. It is likely to be a hybrid between our … Read More
Little Egrets are now more commonly seen than Grey Herons on Falmouth beaches. This one was fishing on Gyllyngvase beach. Successfully, too, judging by the blenny that it spent a full five minutes trying to swallow. Insight into Little Egret … Read More
The mild weather encouraged me to put the 2 x 30 watt Actinic trap on last night for the first time this year. Nothing remarkable but a migrant Silver Y (Autographa gamma) and an Early Thorn (Selenia dentaria) were quite … Read More
Swanpool Local Nature Reserve must be one of the few places in Cornwall where you have a reasonable chance of getting a photograph of a Water Rail. They are normally not the easiest of British birds to photograph because they … Read More
The shell of this freshwater Swan Mussel (Anodonta cygnea) was found surprisingly at low tide amongst the rockpools on Swanpool Beach, Falmouth on the seaward side of the Swanpool freshwater nature reserve. A small whole drilled into it suggests it … Read More
What an anti climax! Amazingly mild overcast conditions for the time of year and the only moth attracted to a 2×30 watt actinic trap was The Chestnut. The species can be confused with the Dark Chestnut (Conistra ligula) but this … Read More
This morning the sound of this singing Song Thrush in the garden was the best early morning alarm call possible. Maybe, spring is finally on its way. Insight into Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos): a common bird throughout most of the … Read More
I’ve often wondered what the difference was between a LLama and an Alpaca. Apart from the Llama being much bigger its banana shaped ears are often referred to, an identification feature clearly seen on this one photographed in a field … Read More
The Glaucous Gull that has been at Newlyn Harbour, Cornwall for a couple of weeks was feeding on mackerel scraps thrown in by two boys fishing at the end of the harbour wall. Its larger size and white primaries made … Read More