Common name: White Ramping-fumitory Latin name: Fumaria capreolata Family: Fumitories (Fumariaceae) Flowers: May to September This photo: coastal path by Gyllyngvase Beach, Falmouth, Cornwall Insight: The drooping fruit and laterally compressed upper petal identify this as White Ramping-fumitory rather than … Read More
Common name: Goldcrest Latin name: Regulus regulus Family: Warblers (Sylviidae) This photo: Devoran, Fal Estuary, Cornwall Gallery: British birds Insight: The UK’s smallest songbird. Related images:
A Harlequin Ladybird was sheltering from the snow in our lounge in Falmouth today. Insight: Harlequin Ladybirds were first recorded in the UK in 2004. They are an invasive species and are being monitored to assess their impact on the … Read More
Common name: Eider Latin name: Somateria mollissima Family: Swans, ducks and geese (Anatidae) This photo: WWT Slimbridge, Gloucestershire Gallery: British birds Insight: The UK’s heaviest and fastest-flying duck. Related images:
Common name: Cirl Bunting Latin name: Emberiza cirlus Family: Buntings (Emberizidae) This photo: Cornwall Gallery: British birds Insight: Only found in south-west England. They are rare and sensitive to disturbance so are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act. The … Read More
Mediterranean Gull, Larus melanocephalus, Black-headed Gull, Larus ridibundus, Swanpool, Falmouth, Cornwall
During a brief stop we were lucky to have good views of a Bittern walking along the edge of the reed bed. Lots of Snipe where also feeding out in the open on the grass bank away from the ice.
A Black-throated Diver was spotted in the Fal Estuary off Trefusis Point.
A Black-necked Grebe was on the water in front of Falmouth’s Prince of Wales Pier at first light.
Common name: Black-necked Grebe Latin name: Podiceps nigricollis Family: Grebes (Podicipedidae) This photo: Newlyn, Cornwall Gallery: British birds Insight: The RSPB estimates 120 birds wintering in the UK. They are most often seen in the winter in reservoirs, gravel pits … Read More
The third Black Redstart in as many days flew across the South West Coast path towards the Marazion Marsh RSPB Reserve. A Water Rail was showing well on the edge of the reedbed but no sign of the Snow Bunting … Read More
A Black Redstart was seen on the roof of The Packet Quays in Falmouth on the 19th and another was flitting around the rocks at Pendennis Point on the 20th.