 Species: Purple Heron, Black-winged Stilt, Ruff, Grey Wagtail and a lot more... Location: Ruan Lanihorne, Cornwall Date: 9 April 2023 Ruan Lanihorne is a civil parish and village in south Cornwall. The village is situated approximately four miles (6.5 km) east-southeast of Truro between the River Fal and its tributary the Ruan River. Ruan Lanihorne lies within the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).  So delighted to see the Purple Heron again today. I first saw the bird on 21 September 2017. It's really amazing that it's exactly on the same place. The RSPB said: "Purple Herons are rare migrants to the UK, with around 20 records per year". Their normal breeding range is southern Europe, and some parts of northern Africa, but a pair bred successfully for the first time in England in 2010 at RSPB Dungeness.  Black-winged Stilt  Ruff  Grey Wagtail Copyright © Rowena Castillo-Nicholls. All Rights Reserved.
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 Bearded Vulture also known as Lammergeier or Ossifrage I'm the first one who saw and photographed this bird in Cornwall. Cornwall is known for its diverse nature and wildlife. Every year, hundreds and even thousands of nature and wildlife enthusiasts come down to Cornwall to have a glimpse of some rare birds, butterflies and other notable species. I have been sooo lucky to be the "FIRST" one to have seen and photographed the Bearded Vulture, also known as the LAMMERGEIER or OSSIFRAGE in Cornwall in 23rd May 2016. Me and my husband Rob Nicholls cannot believe our luck. We were actually in Breney Common in Bodmin doing a butterfly survey in preparation for our fieldtrip on Monday, 30th May 2016 for the Cornwall Butterfly and Moth Society Fieldtrip to see the rare Marsh Fritillary. It was a sunny afternoon, about 2:30pm. We were looking up towards Helman Tor when a large bird, soaring high, came into sight over the ridgeline, heading in a south westerly direction. It’s just gliding gracefully in the sky. The wingspan was probably 9 feet or more, 3 metres. It was very high, maybe up to 2,000 feet and had a small bird in tow - which was not getting too close. The small bird turned out to be a buzzard! The Lammageier did not flap its wings. It was just gliding gracefully across the sky. It was huge and unlike anything usually seen in the skies over Cornwall. Luckily, I was already prepared with my camera and was able to take a few shots. We were able to watch it for about 12 minutes, before it went out of sight. Perhaps, a once-in-a-lifetime sighting. It's nice to sometimes be in the right place, at the right time!  American Painted Lady Vanessa virginiensis My photograph is the first UK image!!! On the 20 September 2022, 2:30pm, me and Rob went for a walk in Nare Head on the Roseland Peninsula. This is one of our favourite places in Cornwall. On our way to the headland, we saw Lawrence Sampson and had a chat with him for a few minutes before we carried on with our walk. I have taken photos of the butterflies and birds that we saw. Before I went to sleep that evening, I posted my photos in Facebook. The next morning, I have missed calls on my mobile, I have messages on my email, I have comments on my photos in Facebook. One comment catches my eye, a particular comment from our good friend Lee Slaughter - "Are you sure that this isn't the exceptionally rare Hunter's Painted Lady or American Painted Lady Rowena? Get this photo checked out urgently! I think it is an American (Hunter's) Painted Lady! PM me where you saw this please? Could be a 1st for Cornwall if it is!" I immediately checked my photos very closely one by one. Checked out Google and Wikipedia too. I was shocked and amazed. It suddenly dawned on me that the butterfly I thought was a Painted Lady was actually the extremely rare American Painted Lady Vanessa virginiensis. Wow, that's awesome. I could not believe my luck. Thanks to the sharp and discerning eyes of Lee. He is certainly the best in the butterfly world. It's also been confirmed by Peter Eeles from UK Butterflies. This American Painted Lady Vanessa virginiensis was first seen in the British Isles in August 1828 at Withybush, near Haverfordwest in Pembrokeshire. My photograph is the first UK image!!! I celebrated my 50th birthday this year. I thought I already received all the surprises from family and friends but seeing this butterfly is the greatest surprised ever. This sighting of the American Painted Lady Vanessa virginiensi reminds me of my "Lammergeier, moment". I have been sooo lucky to be the "FIRST" one to have seen and photographed the "Bearded Vulture, also known as the Lammergeier or Ossifrage" in Cornwall in 23 May 2016. This bird is "FIRST" in Cornwall as well as "FIRST" in the UK. Me and Rob are absolutely delighted and over the moon that we saw again another rarity in Cornwall. You'll never really know you might see in Cornwall. This Duchy is full of surprise. Copyright © Rowena Castillo-Nicholls. All Rights Reserved.
Images may not be used without the written permission of the photographer. My photograph is the first UK image!!! American Painted Lady Vanessa virginiensi On the 20 September 2022, 2:30pm, me and Rob went for a walk in Nare Head on the Roseland Peninsula. This is one of our favourite places in Cornwall. On our way to the headland, we saw Lawrence Sampson and had a chat with him for a few minutes before we carried on with our walk. There's quite a few butterflies and birds around. From the carpark to the headland, we saw:
I have taken photos of the butterflies and birds that we saw. Before I went to sleep that evening, I posted my photos in Facebook. The next morning, I have missed calls on my mobile, I have messages on my email, I have comments on my photos in Facebook. One comment catches my eye, a particular comment from our good friend Lee Slaughter - "Are you sure that this isn't the exceptionally rare Hunter's Painted Lady or American Painted Lady Rowena? Get this photo checked out urgently! I think it is an American (Hunter's) Painted Lady! PM me where you saw this please? Could be a 1st for Cornwall if it is!" I immediately checked my photos very closely one by one. Checked out Google and Wikipedia too. I was shocked and amazed. It suddenly dawned on me that the butterfly I thought was a Painted Lady was actually the extremely rare American Painted Lady Vanessa virginiensis. Wow, that's awesome. I could not believe my luck. Thanks to the sharp and discerning eyes of Lee. He is certainly the best in the butterfly world. It's also been confirmed by Peter Eeles from UK Butterflies. This American Painted Lady Vanessa virginiensis was first seen in the British Isles in August 1828 at Withybush, near Haverfordwest in Pembrokeshire. My photograph is the first UK image!!! I celebrated my 50th birthday this year. I thought I already received all the surprises from family and friends but seeing this butterfly is the greatest surprised ever. This sighting of the American Painted Lady Vanessa virginiensi reminds me of my "Lammergeier, moment". I have been sooo lucky to be the "FIRST" one to have seen and photographed the "Bearded Vulture, also known as the Lammergeier or Ossifrage" in Cornwall in 23 May 2016. This bird is "FIRST" in Cornwall as well as "FIRST" in the UK. Me and Rob are absolutely delighted and over the moon that we saw again another rarity in Cornwall. You'll never really know you might see in Cornwall. This Duchy is full of surprises.
Difference between an American Painted Lady and a Painted Lady The chief difference, the one that is easiest to identify for most, is the tiny white spot on the American Painted Lady. It is located in the postmedian area of the forewing. In the corresponding area of the Painted Lady, no such spot will be found. Another good identifying mark will be the eyespots in the postmedian area of the hindwings of both butterflies. On the upperside, they are quite similar in size for both. But on the underside, two large eyespots can be clearly seen on the American Painted Lady, whereas four are discernible on the Painted Lady and they are much smaller. BBC Radio Cornwall www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0d1w7tn Western Morning News www.pressreader.com/uk/western-morning-news/20220922/page/4/textview Cornwall Live www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwall-news/american-painted-lady-butterfly-never-7615539 The Guardian www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/sep/29/autumn-brings-rare-butterflies-moths-uk-shores UK Butterflies www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/album_photo.php?id=51745 Wildlife Insight www.wildlifeinsight.com/35962/american-painted-lady-in-cornwall CBWPS cbwps.org.uk/recent-sighting/wednesday-21st-september-2022  Western Morning News, page 4  UK Butterflies Twitter Account  BBC Radio Cornwall Twitter Account  BBC Radio Cornwall Facebook Page  BBC Spotlight Instagram Account  BBC Spotlight Facebook Page  Wildlife Insight
Butterflies
Birds
Another once in a lifetime sighting.
Bearded Vulture, also known as Lammergeier or Ossifrage 23 May 2016, Breney Common, Lanlivery First in Cornwall, First in the UK Copyright © Rowena Castillo-Nicholls. All Rights Reserved.
Images may not be used without the written permission of the photographer. Rob, thank you for making my 50th birthday a day to remember... a week to remember... a month to remember... a year to remember... I will surely remember for the rest of my life. Thank you for going the extra mile in making sure I have the most memorable day. You have gone far and beyond to make my day fantastic and fabulous, enjoyable and fun-filled. Thank you my sweet and loving husband. I'm very grateful for your generosity and thoughtfulness.    What a surprise! A welcome sight when I came down on my 50th birthday, 1st July 2022. Rob, thank you for the... ● Nikon D7500 DSLR camera ● Sigma 150-600mm lens for the Nikon D7500 ● Panasonic Lumix digital camera ● Gorgeous bouquet of flowers from Interflora ● Pretty balloons ● Beautiful cards  Day 1 ● Luscious and lush birthday lunch at my favourite restaurant. ● Give thanks to the Lord for my 50 years of existence in St Just in Roseland Church. ● Walk around the picturesque village of St Mawes. ● Nature and Wildlife Walk at the scenic coast of Kiberick Cove. ● Luscious and lush birthday dinner at my favourite restaurant.  St Just in Roseland Church Outside St Just in Roseland Church Inside St Just in Roseland Church Across the river overlooking St Just in Roseland Church  Picturesque village of St Mawes  Scenic coast of Kiberick Cove Day 2 ● Nature and wildlife walk in Glendurgan Garden. ● Nature and wildlife walk in Helford River.  Glendurgan Garden Helford River Day 3 ● Nature and wildlife walk in The Dodman. ● Nature and wildlife walk in Hemmick Beach. Dodman Point Hemmick Beach Day 4 and 5 ● Glitzy and glamorous London trip!!! ● Ultimate shopping spree at Bond St, Regent St and Oxford St. ● Eat... eat... eat!!! Sooo stuffed. A real food trip. ● Thames River Cruise. ● Promenade at Hyde Park. ● Big Bus Tour around London. ● Sightseeing: Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Mayfair, Piccadilly Circus, St. Paul's Cathedral, Trafalgar Square, Hyde Park, Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Green Park, Statue of Anteros, Bond St., Oxford St., Regent St., Carnaby Soho, Thames River, London Eye, London Bridge, London Victoria Station, Marble Arch, City Hall and others. Missed out the National History Museum, Madame Tussauds, Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Royal Opera House, Buckingham Palace, St. James's Palace, Westminster Abbey, Covent Garden, Westminster Cathedral, and others as it is sooo hot hot hot and such a long queue and too crowded. ● Philippine Embassy.  Thames River Cruise  Tower Bridge  London Eye  Houses of Parliament  St Paul's Cathedral  Hyde Park  Marble Arch  Trafalgar Square Piccadilly Circus Carnaby Soho
London Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour Philippine Embassy Day 6 ● Nature and Wildlife walk in Bentley Woods, Salisbury. Bentley Woods, Salisbury Day 7 ● Nature and Wildlife walk in Aish Tor. ● Nature and Wildlife walk in Dart Valley Nature Reserve. ● Nature and Wildlife walk in Dartmoor National Park, Newbridge. Aish Tor Dart Valley Nature Reserve Dartmoor National Park, Newbridge
 Cornwall is known for its diverse nature and wildlife. Every year, hundreds and even thousands of nature and wildlife enthusiasts come down to Cornwall to have a glimpse of some rare birds, butterflies and other notable species. I have been sooo lucky to be the "FIRST" one to have seen and photographed the Bearded Vulture, also known as the LAMMERGEIER or OSSIFRAGE in Cornwall in 23rd May 2016. Me and my husband Rob Nicholls cannot believe our luck. We were actually in Breney Common in Bodmin doing a butterfly survey in preparation for our fieldtrip on Monday, 30th May 2016 for the Cornwall Butterfly and Moth Society Fieldtrip to see the rare Marsh Fritillary. It was a sunny afternoon, about 2:30pm. We were looking up towards Helman Tor when a large bird, soaring high, came into sight over the ridgeline, heading in a south westerly direction. It’s just gliding gracefully in the sky. The wingspan was probably 9 feet or more, 3 metres. It was very high, maybe up to 2,000 feet and had a small bird in tow - which was not getting too close. The small bird turned out to be a buzzard! The Lammageier did not flap its wings. It was just gliding gracefully across the sky. It was huge and unlike anything usually seen in the skies over Cornwall. Luckily, I was already prepared with my camera and was able to take a few shots. We were able to watch it for about 12 minutes, before it went out of sight. Perhaps, a once-in-a-lifetime sighting. It's nice to sometimes be in the right place, at the right time! Bearded Vulture, also known as Lammergeier or Ossifrage 23 May 2016, Breney Common, Lanlivery 1st in Cornwall, 1st in the UK Dalmatian Pelican 16 May 2016, Drift Reservoir Brown Booby 3 September 2019, Kynance Cove, Lizard Peninsula Grey Catbird 17 and 23 October 2018, Treeve Moore near Land's End Copyright © Rowena Castillo-Nicholls. All Rights Reserved.
Images may not be used without the written permission of the photographer. Great day out! Nature and wildlife walk in Trevose Head and Bedruthan Steps. Nothing beats the spectacular, dramatic and rugged North Cornwall Coast. Rich and diverse flora and fauna. Love it.  Trevose Head (Cornish: Penn Trenfos, meaning farm of the wall's headland[citation needed]) is a headland on the Atlantic coast of north Cornwall. It is situated approximately 5 miles (8.0 km) west of Padstow. The South West Coast Path runs around the whole promontory and is within the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Trevose Head Heritage Coast. The headland is within the Trevose Head and Constantine Bay Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) which is designated for both its biological and geological interests. Wild asparagus grows on the cliffs of Dinas Head and shore dock at the base of the cliffs. The cliffs are also important for breeding fulmar, razorbill and guillemot.  Trevose Lighthouse in the background.  Trevose Head   Beautiful Meadows Carnewas and Bedruthan Steps (Cornish: Karn Havos, meaning "rock-pile of summer dwelling" and Cornish: Bos Rudhen, meaning "Red-one's dwelling") is a stretch of coastline located on the north Cornish coast. The section of coastline from Carnewas to Stepper Point is part of the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty[9] and subject to special landscape protection. In addition, Bedruthan Steps and Park Head is an 80.8-hectare (200-acre) Site of Special Scientific Interest, designated for its geological and biological interest in 1951. The site was subject to a revision in 1973 and renotified in 1986. It is noted for its slates and fossils from the Middle Devonian period, various mosses, and beetles. Bedruthan Steps is also a Geological Conservation Review site because it is a ″source of rare fish specimens″, which were first reported in 1848 by W Pengelly. Flora: The coast here is exposed to westerly winds and the clifftops provide an exposed environment best suited to low-growing plants. Flowers to be found along the cost between Mawgan Porth and Bedruthan include Bird's foot trefoil, Kidney vetch, Sheep’s-bit and Spring squill, plus the distinctly maritime species Sea Pink (Thrift) and Sea Campion. Geology: The bedrock at Bedruthan Steps is at the northernmost extent of a series of sedimentary rocks classified as sandstone, siltstone and mudstone and known as the Bedruthan Formation. The underlying rock from Bedruthan Steps to Trevose Head is Middle Devonian slates (386–377 Mya) with Staddon Grits to the south towards Trenance Point. The thickness of the slates have been estimated at over 2,000 m (6,600 ft). Marine erosion by the sea carrying sand and pebbles has worn away the weaker, softer rocks to leave the stacks seen today. Fossils of fish, corals, trilobites, etc. have been found in the Eifelian slates on Samaritan and Pendarves Islands. Few fossils are useful for dating here, but one (although considered to be problematical) Pteroconus mirus dates the formations to the Eifelian. At the end of the headland of Park Head (grid reference SW840708) is a subvolcanic rock, Diabase. Dark Sky discovery site In 2014, the area was granted "Dark Sky" status by the Science and Technology Facilities Council. Dark Sky discovery sites must be free from light pollution and have good views of stars and the Milky Way, and be accessible to the public.    Bedruthan Steps
Great day out! Nature and wildlife walk in St Anthony Head. Scenic views. Seen loads of amazing wildlife but only manage to get a few photos and videos. St Anthony Head is a National Trust property situated at the southernmost tip of the Roseland Peninsula, overlooking the entrance to one of the world's largest natural harbours: Carrick Roads and the estuary of River Fal. It preserves the former St Anthony Battery, built in 1895–97 to defend the estuary of the River Fal. The headland is designated as part of Carricknath Point to Porthbean Beach and Lower Fal and Helford Intertidal Sites of Special Scientific Interest. At its tip lies St Anthony's Lighthouse.  St Mawes in the distance  Falmouth in the distance  St Anthony Head Light House  Battery Observation Post St Anthony Head
Kestrel Great day out! Enjoyable walk in Nare Head today. Spectacular views. Seen loads of amazing wildlife. Butterflies: Common Blue, Clouded Yellow, Large Skipper, Meadow Brown, Painted Lady, Peacock, Red Admiral, Small Copper, Small Heath, Speckled Wood and Wall. Birds: Guillemots, Razorbills, Yellowhammers, Black Redstart, Swallows, Swifts, Kestrel, Buzzards and a lot more...    Nare Head The fresh Cornish sea air is just refreshing and invigorating! Rob, my walking buddy for life!  Turning and Jumping Lets Get Wild, connect with nature and wildlife in support of Mental Health Awareness Week 20215/16/2021 Mental Health Awareness Week, 10-16 May 2021. |
