5 Years of Observations at Work

Over the last 5 years at work whilst carrying out my day to day duties i have tried to keep a record of the flora and fauna species seen throughout this 35 acre site and every year a new find takes me by surprise.  The species results collected, so far, show over 80 species of birds, 134 moth species, 28 butterfly species, 12 damsel/dragonfly species, 13 mammal species, over a hundred wildflower species and 37 woody species, as well as countless other small invertebrates, lower plants and fungi. This really shows the diversity of species that can be found in a relatively small area, if you have, or are able to create some ecologically important habitats such as lakes, wetlands, woodlands and boundary habitats etc.  This year i plan on really getting stuck into identifying a lot of the smaller invertebrates as they have been neglected a little over the last few years, so my pooter has been cleaned i have already identified a couple of areas to plant a few pitfall traps and my battered copy of Michael Chinnery, Field Guide to Insects, is back out for another airing.  I have already been fortunate enough to find a couple of interesting species around the park, but my most notable to date was the Hornet Sawfly, Cimbex connatus, that was thought to be the first documented species in Cornwall.  Thanks for taking the time to read this blog and i will try to keep you upto date with how my findings are going and hopefully supply a few pics.

Click url for original Cimbex connatus photo. http://www.wildlifeuk.net/attachment.php?aid=1079

Cornish coast

Here are a few of the snaps i took while out having a walk around my local coastline, what none of these snaps show is how rough the sea really was, with swells well over 10ft at times.  Seeing the sea like it was really makes you appreciate how hard it must be for the associated plants and animals to survive here.  

Anyone know which hotel i deliberately kept out of this shot?

Stormy Skies

Rocky Coast

Front row seats

Turnstone (Arenaria interpres), Below Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla)

Porth reservoir

With the winds being what they are, i thought that Porth reservoir might afford some protection from the elements and there may be a few birds to be seen out on the water. Unfortunately i was wrong and the wind was being channelled through the valley and blowing right along the full length of the reservoir. Not a single birds could be seen on the perching posts out on the water and only a handfull of gulls flying could be seen overhead infact the few anglers present outnumbered the birds seen. But a walk along the bank soon disturbed the birds taking refuge in the bankside trees and vegetation. There were approximately 200 Mallard, 50 Coots, 10 Tufted Ducks and a handfull of probable hybrid ducks along with the few gulls.

                       Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula)

    Mallard and a couple of possible hybridised ducks (any suggestions welcome)

                 A few Coots and Mallards

       Added bonus a small patch of Snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis)