Author: raysurridge

  • Scratching the surface of the Lizard

    Scratching the surface of the Lizard

    Souterrains, known locally as fogous, form part of the jetsam of West Cornish prehistory. Prehistory, in Cornwall, runs to the day before yesterday, grandfather’s day, or up to the time […]

  • HELFORD’S ROCKY REEFS

    HELFORD’S ROCKY REEFS

    The submergence circa 10,000 years ago of the land the Helford River to form the Estuary or Ria if you were using the correct technical term, has created the most […]

  • The landscape history and archaeology of The Lizard’s downs and moors

    The landscape history and archaeology of The Lizard’s downs and moors

    In this article, Peter Dudley, of Cornwall Council’s Historic Environment Service (Projects), introduces us to the rich history and archaeology of The Lizard’s moors and downlands, from the Late Neolithic […]

  • Snow Bunting

    Snow Bunting

    A breath of Arctic air – Snow Buntings can be spotted on migration at Lizard Point. Photo: © Natural England/Julian Dowse

  • Windmill Farm National Nature Reserve

    Windmill Farm National Nature Reserve

    Windmill Farm National Nature Reserve is a 200 acre site that is jointly owned by Cornwall Wildlife Trust (CWT) and Cornwall Birdwatching and Preservation Society (CBWPS). The reserve is of […]

  • In search of the Lizard’s lost shipwrecked souls

    In search of the Lizard’s lost shipwrecked souls

    Pistil Cove, where the shipwreck victims possibly washed ashore. Photo M Hirst Recent survey work has brought archaeologists closer to solving a 300 year old shipwreck mystery at Lizard Point. […]

  • Dunlin

    Dunlin

    Dunlins can be spotted in estuaries and salt marshes in the autumn and winter. Photo: Amanda Scott

  • Balearic Island visitors

    Balearic Island visitors

    Fig1: Balearic Shearwater (Puffinus mauretanicus)* The Balearic Shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus is Europe’s only Critically Endangered seabird with a population thought to be around 3200 breeding pairs (18000-25000 individuals). The breeding […]

  • Sanderling

    Sanderling

    The south-west is not such a good place to look for Sanderlings on migration, but a few do turn up each year. Predannack is one good place to look. Photo: © […]

  • Whimbrel

    Whimbrel

    Whimbrels may be spotted at Lizard Point on migration in the spring and later summer into autumn. Photo: © Natural England/Allan Drewitt

  • The Magnificence of Meadows

    The Magnificence of Meadows

    Is there anything that is essentially more summertime than lying in a ripe flower-rich meadow? The grassheads have turned golden and hang heavy with seed that wafts in the gently […]

  • Garden Tiger

    Garden Tiger

    The spectacular Garden Tiger moth is on the wing in July and August, followed from August to June by its ‘Woolly Bear caterpillars. Photo: Ben Sale from UK, CC BY […]

  • Gatekeeper

    Gatekeeper

    Mid to late July into early August is the peak time for the chocolate-and-orange Gatekeeper butterfly. Look out for them round hedgerows and scrubby areas. Photo: Charles J. Sharp, CC […]

  • Betony

    Betony

    Purple spikes of Betony put on a lovely display along coastal paths in the summer. Photo: Amanda Scott

  • Pollinators: butterflies and moths

    Pollinators: butterflies and moths

    While butterflies and moths are not generally as efficient pollinators as some other insects, they do their bit. Photo: Dougy Wright

  • Privet Hawk-moth

    Privet Hawk-moth

    This lovely Privet Hawkmoth was spotted at Caerthillian, resting on a fence. Photo: Steve Townsend