Author: Amanda Scott

  • Hairy Beech Gall

    Hairy Beech Gall

    In late summer into autumn, you may see small cylindrical growths on Beech leaves. These are made by the gall midge Hartigiola annulipes. Look out for them when exploring the woods of the Helford River. Photo: Amanda Scott

  • Silk Button Gall

    Silk Button Gall

    Silk Button Galls, induced by a parasitic wasp, are one of the many kinds of galls found on our native oak trees. Head to our section on invertebrates to find out more. Photo: Amanda Scott

  • Carrion Crow

    Carrion Crow

    Carrion Crows can be seen throughout the year. All too often maligned in popular culture, these are amazing and intelligent birds. Photo: © Natural England/Julian Dowse

  • Pale Butterwort

    Pale Butterwort

    A paler, smaller version of Common Butterwort, the Pale Butterwort is harder to find, but worth the search. Crousa Downs is a good place to look. Photo: Kate Dalziel

  • Hobby

    Hobby

    Hobbies fly with such agility and speed, they can even snatch swallows and swifts on the wing. Photo: Lilly M, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

  • Ring Ouzel

    Ring Ouzel

    This member of the thrush family is easily mistaken at a distance for its cousin, the Blackbird, but a closer look gives the game away. A passage migrant across The Lizard, you may be fortunate and spot one in spring or autumn. Photo: © Natural England/Peter Roworth

  • Merlin

    Merlin

    The Merlin is our smallest bird of prey, but it makes up for its size with lots of grit and steely determination. Photo: © Richard Birchett

  • Red Campion

    Red Campion

    Red Campion is at its most vibrant from the spring into summer. Find it in woodland edges, hedgerows and roadside verges. Photo: Steve Townsend

  • Palmate Newt

    Palmate Newt

    For those of you with garden ponds, keep an eye out for Palmate Newts enjoying the water in spring. Photo: Frank Vassen from Brussels, Belgium, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

  • Spangle gall

    Spangle gall

    Spangle Galls, created by a parasitic wasp, are one of the many kinds of galls found on oak trees. Head to our section on invertebrates to find out more. Photo: Steve Townsend

  • Common Scurvygrass

    Common Scurvygrass

    From May to August, Common Scurvygrass can be found along the clifftops of The Lizard. Photo: Amanda Scott

  • Oak Marble Gall

    Oak Marble Gall

    Oak Marble Galls, common on oak trees, are created by a parasitic gall-wasp. Head to our section on invertebrates to find out more. Photo: AnemoneProjectors, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

  • Nuthatch

    Nuthatch

    Nuthatches fiercely defend their nesting sites. A bird of broadleaf woodlands, it is also a frequent visitor to garden birdfeeders. Photo: © Richard Birchett

  • Bog Asphodel

    Bog Asphodel

    This bright plant of boggy areas on the heathland puts on an amazing display in early summer. Photo: Amanda Scott

  • Dartmoor Pony

    Dartmoor Pony

    Dartmoor Ponies are a favourite breed for conservation grazing. You can find them on our East Cornwall National Nature Reserves. Photo: Debbie Sea-Kay

  • Sexton beetle

    Sexton beetle

    As spring arrives, we can look forward not only to budding flowers, but also to insects, like this Sexton beetle, greeting another year. Photo: Debbie Sea-Kay