Our first Grayling of the year (above left) was seen during our eventful trip to Kynance Cove on The Lizard (see Cornwall Moths post). Typically it was sitting with wings closed on the ground, cryptically blending in with its surroundings … Read More
This plume moth was photographed yesterday on a cliff ledge at Kynance Cove on The Lizard in Cornwall. There seems a strong possibility that it may have been the rare migant Oxyptilus laetus. However, because of its similarities with other … Read More
A total of five Hummingbird Hawk-moths were seen nectaring on Red Valerian (Centranthus ruber) on roads alongside the golf course behind Fistral beach in Newquay last Sunday. They would have found it much easier to feed if the wind hadn’t … Read More
This distinctive plant was found in the margins of the pond at Glanville’s (Pennans) Field, Penhale near Perranporth. It was one of those plants that although we’d never seen it before we knew exactly what it was. It’s nice when … Read More
Male Bullfinch must be one of our most colouful birds. Disappointingly, as so often is the case, the females are not so stunningly attractive! Insight into Bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula): still widespread throughout most of the UK, their numbers have declined … Read More
Fringed Rupturewort is one of a number of rare plants to be found on The Lizard in Cornwall. So far we’ve recorded it at Lizard Point and Kynance Cove. It’s not a great showy flower so it’s a little underwhelming … Read More
The last few weeks have seen large numbers of Blue-tailed Damselflies emerging from ponds. This juvenile male (above left) and teneral form male (above right) were just two of many sitting on low lying vegetation around ponds at Windmill Farm … Read More
The cryptic design of moths never ceases to amaze! This Dagger species was sitting on a fence post barely three feet in front of us and despite spending twenty minutes trying to photograph a parisitoid wasp that repeatedly passed over … Read More
Pheasants may not be native to the UK but a fine cock bird like this one has to be admired. This bird was seen enjoying the safety of Windmill Farm Nature Reserve on The Lizard Cornwall. Insight into Pheasant (Phasianus … Read More
This climbing plant with glossy, exotic leaves is common in Cornwall and we often see it in the hedgerows on the South West Coast Path. Insight into Black Bryony (Tamus communis): the only British member of the tropical yam family … Read More
There were 16 ducklings on the water with a female Mallard back in April. Yesterday another family appeared, this time with 13 young. They were very obedient and immediately gathered around the female duck when she called. Insight into Mallard … Read More
Moths have started to emerge from the pupae collected on the silk webs last week at Poldhu Cove on The Lizard – see post. As expected, they are a species of Ermine moth. Although not 100% certain, all the evidence … Read More