These creamy, green many-flowered spikes are seen growing out of cliffs, rock crevices and walls. It seems to thrive in places where other plants may struggle, such as dry walls and deep shade. Insight into Navelwort or Pennywort (Umbilicus rupestris): … Read More
Amongst the Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) and Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) on Sennen beach on Whitesand Bay near Land’s End recently was this juvenile Mediterranean Gull. It doesn’t seem long ago when this bird was rare away from the south … Read More
Several Mottled Grasshoppers have been seen in recent weeks while visiting Cornwall’s north coast sand dune systems in search of rarer species such as Stripe-winged Grasshopper (Stenobothrus lineatus). Insight into Mottled Grasshopper (Myrmeleotettix maculatus): common throughout most of the UK … Read More
These pictures tell the story of a titanic struggle that took place in Falmouth harbour between a Cormorant and an Eel. After several minutes the Cormorant managed to swallow its slimmy adversary but only by straightening its neck to enable … Read More
These thistles are a slightly bluer pink than most other thistles and are often found in great drifts on rough grassland and roadsides. Insight into Creeping Thistle (Cirsium arvense): also known as Field Thistle, its seeds are a source of … Read More
This female Bee Moth (shown left) was attracted to an Actinic light on the edge of Falmouth harbour. Insight into Bee Moth (Aphomia sociella): fairly well distributed throughout the UK, it flies beween June and August. The sexes are dimorphic … Read More
This male Great Green Bush Cricket (above left) was photographed at Prussia Cove, near Praa Sands on the south coast of Cornwall. Our first sighting of this species of cricket this year, it’s a reminder of how big they are … Read More
This young Woodpigeon is one of many juvenile birds seen in recent weeks. It seems to have been a good year for many species with numbers of juvenile Linnet, Stonechat, Skylark, Bullfinch, Greater-spotted Woodpecker and tit species evident here in … Read More
These Sea Asters were numerous on the slopes at Gwennap Head near Porthgwarra in south west Cornwall. They find some shelter amongst the rocks from the ever present wind. Insight into Sea Aster (Aster tripolium): a short-lived perennial found only … Read More
Lots of Small Skippers were flying amonst the long grass and feeding on the flowers of Bramble or Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus agg.) and Common Knapweed at Windmill Farn Nature Reserve on The Lizard in Cornwall at the weekend. Insight into … Read More
During an unproductive search for Wasp Spiders at Windmill Farm Nature Reserve on The Lizard in Cornwall a large variety of insects were found including many Cicadella viridis. Insight into Cicadella viridis: a member of the Leafhopper family (Cicadellidae) it … Read More
A few male Common Darters were active around the pools at Windmill Farm Nature Reserve on The Lizard in Cornwall at the weekend, despite the sea mist being driven across the reserve by strong southerly winds. Other dragonfly species seen … Read More