Here in Cornwall, derelict chimneys, also known as Cornish Cathedrals, litter the countryside. To some they may appear deserted and a sad monument to a flourishing past for tin and copper mines but that doesn’t mean they are entirely deserted … Read More
Emperor Moths are on the wing again and yesterday afternoon we saw our first male of the year flying quickly over bramble at St Gothian Sands Local Nature Reserve on the North Cornwall Coast. Insight: Emperor Moth (Saturnia pavonia) males … Read More
We found our first Wall, also known as Wall Brown, butterfly of the year sunning itself on the path at Godrevy on the north coast of Cornwall. This is an early date for Cornwall. Last year the first record was … Read More
We found several patches of Western Clover amongst the short grass on the cliffs above Kynance Cove on The Lizard at the weekend. Insight: Western Clover (Trifolium occidentale) is native but very local, found in Cornwall, on the Channel Islands … Read More
Due to their Red Data Book status we aren’t able to disclose where we found these rare crustaceans but their life-cycle is so fascinating that we hope a post may raise awareness of these amazing creatures. Insight: Fairy Shrimp (Chirocephalus … Read More
Crossing the Fal Estuary by boat to St Mawes on Thursday we came across a pod of about a dozen Bottlenose Dolphin frantically feeding on a shoal of fish. Thanks to Caroline of Orca Sea Safaris for confirming the id. … Read More
We saw a number of The Drinker caterpillars on our recent visit to Windmill Farm Nature Reserve on The Lizard in Cornwall. Insight: The Drinker (Euthrix potatoria) is a moth and it gets its name from the larva’s habit of … Read More
This plant was spotted in a hedgerow at Mawnan Church near the Helford Estuary in Cornwall. Insight: Honesty (Lunaria annua) is a common plant in the British Isles though it isn’t native. It’s probably the fruit that is most familiar: … Read More
A Lizard Adder – sounds like a new species! Whilst photographing Brassica Shieldbugs (Eurydema oleracea) on a warm, south-facing bank on the cliffs at the most southerly tip Britain, on The Lizard peninsular in Cornwall, a stunning male Adder moved … Read More
The new fronds are always a picture at this time of year. Insight: Hart’s-tongue (Asplenium scolopendrium) is an evergreen fern in the Spleenwort family (Aspleniaceae) which grows best in shaded, damp areas. It is an unusual fern, having an undivided … Read More
Lots of these tiny daytime flying moths, Adela cuprella, were feeding on sallows. Although there appear to be few records for VC1 this may be due to under-recording. Insight: Adela cuprella is one of the family of micro moths often … Read More
Everywhere we looked on the Gorse and nearby Blackthorn were Gorse Shieldbugs, often in mating pairs. It’s a wonder we aren’t overrun with them! Insight: Gorse Shieldbugs (Piezodorus lituratus) are common throughout the UK wherever their predominant foodplants of Gorse … Read More