Common name: Blackthorn Latin name: Prunus spinosa Family: Rose (Rosaceae) Flowers: March to May This photo: Marsland valley on the Cornwall and Devon county boundary Insight: The fruits are known as sloes. They ripen after all other plums.
Common name: Mottled Umber Latin name: Erannis defoliaria Family: Geometridae » Ennominae Flies: October to December This photo: Marsland valley on the Cornwall and Devon county boundary Insight: A fairly common moth found in many habitats and in much of … Read More
Common name: Knot Latin name: Calidris canuta Family: Sandpipers and allies (Scolopacidae) This photo: Pendennis Point, Falmouth, Cornwall Insight: A winter visitor to the UK with large numbers coming from their Arctic breeding grounds.
Common name: Grey Heron Latin name: Ardea cinerea Family: Bitterns and herons (Ardeidae) This photo: RSPB Marazion Marsh, Mounts Bay, Cornwall Insight: Europe’s largest heron. The RSPB nature reserve at Marazion Marsh in Cornwall is one of only a few … Read More
Common name: December Moth Latin name: Poecilocampa populi Family: Lasiocampidae Flies: October to December This photo: Marsland valley on the Cornwall and Devon county boundary Insight: A fairly common moth found in much of the UK. It’s appropriately named being … Read More
Common name: Brambling Latin name: Fringilla montifringilla Family: Finches (Fringillidae) This photo: Marsland valley on the Cornwall and Devon county boundary Insight: Similar in size and shape to a Chaffinch and often seen amongst mixed finch flocks feeding on Beech … Read More
Common name: Tufted Duck Latin name: Aythya fuligula Family: Swans, ducks and geese (Anatidae) This photo: Swanpool in Falmouth, Cornwall Insight: There are more Tufted Duck in the UK in winter due to large numbers of visitors from Iceland and … Read More
Common name: Mediterranean Gull Latin name: Larus melanocephalus Family: Gulls (Laridae) This photo: Swanpool in Falmouth Cornwall Insight: A very rare bird in the UK on the 1950s but now seen in increasing numbers. Adults are similar to Black-headed Gull … Read More
Common name: Bittern Latin name: Botaurus stellaris Family: Bitterns and herons (Ardeidae) This photo: Marazion Marsh, Mounts Bay, Cornwall Insight: A secretive bird that depends on reed beds. There is a very small UK population with an estimated 75 breeding … Read More
Common name: Snipe Latin name: Gallinago gallinago Family: Sandpipers and allies (Scolopacidae) This photo: Marazion Marsh, Mounts Bay, Cornwall Insight: Declining as a breeding bird giving rise to its Amber status. A well camouflaged bird it is normally extremely difficult … Read More
Common name: Teal Latin name: Anas crecca Family: Ducks (Anatidae) This photo: Marazion Marsh, Mounts Bay, Cornwall Insight: Males and females show bright green wing patches (speculum) in flight.
Common name: Sanderling Latin name: Calidris alba Family: Sandpipers (Scolopacidae) This photo: Marazion, Mounts Bay, Cornwall Insight: This small wading bird breeds in the Arctic and may travel up to 10,000 kms south to warmer climates for the Winter. It … Read More