Our first Comma butterfly of the spring and a single Peacock were basking in the sun on a south facing bank leading to Trefusis Point on the shores of the Carrick Roads, Falmouth. Insight: Both Comma (Polygonia c-album) and Peacock … Read More
This Waxwing was feeding on berries on the edge of the A30 on the outskirts of Penzance in Cornwall yesterday. Insight: The numbers of wintering Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus) visiting the UK is determined by the severity and abundance of food … Read More
This adult male Stonechat was showing well in the hedge by the National Trust car park at Kynance Cove on The Lizard in Cornwall. Insight: The male Stonechat (Saxicola torquata) in full breeding plumage is boldly marked, with an orange … Read More
Our first lizard on The Lizard was this Slow Worm warming up on the South West Coast Path near Kennack Sands. Insight: Although often thought to be a snake, the Slow Worm (Anguis fragilis) is in fact a legless lizard. … Read More
A mass of Greater Periwinkle in the hedge just off the beach at Kennack Sands on The Lizard in Cornwall. Insight: The photo shows the fringe of hairs along the edges of the sepals which is one of the characteristics … Read More
Although there was fog all night, with the St Anthony Head lighthouse at the mouth of Falmouth harbour sounding it’s foghorn, the sun broke through at dawn and successfully burnt it off leading to a glorious day reaching 17C. Winter … Read More
A small flock of 8 of these ducks was spotted on the water in Falmouth Harbour today. The photo shows an adult female with three first-winter males. Insight: Eider (Somateria mollissima) are seaducks eating coastal molluscs, especially mussels which they … Read More
Spotted in the field above Kennack Sands car park on The Lizard in Cornwall. Insight: Although Common Field-speedwell (Veronica persica) is very familiar, often regarded as a weed, it’s a native of Caucasus and Iran and was introduced to Britain. … Read More
Two Great Black-backed Gulls watching out for a meal standing on a channel marker buoy in the middle of the Carrick Roads near Falmouth in Cornwall. Insight: The Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) is the UK’s largest gull and will … Read More
It was rather a surprise to see this exotic looking plant on some rough ground on Godrevy Towans in Cornwall. The distinctive yellow/green veins identify this as Italian Lords-and-Ladies (Arum italicum subspecies italicum). Insight: This subspecies has been introduced to … Read More
This starfish was found in the rock pools at low water on Gyllyngvase Beach yesterday. Insight: Spiny Starfish (Marthasterias glacialis) can grow up to 70cm across with their long, tapering arms often tipped in purple. In the UK, they’re found … Read More