<![CDATA[I LOVE CORNWALL

<![CDATA[I LOVE CORNWALL - BLOG]]>Sun, 19 Apr 2026 18:14:33 +0100Weebly<![CDATA[Rob Nicholls, Cornwall's Inspiring over 60's Environmental Hero]]>Thu, 16 Apr 2026 23:00:00 GMThttps://www.ilovecornwall8.com/blog/rob-nicholls-cornwalls-inspiring-over-60s-environmental-hero

I am so happy and delighted that my husband, Rob Nicholls, is "Cornwall's 60 over 60", "Environmental Hero". There were more than 220 nominations.

Cornwall Council wants to celebrate people who are proving that age is no barrier with the launch of "Sixty Over Sixty".

The 60 over 60 campaign is an opportunity to celebrate their hard work and ensure these residents receive the recognition they deserve. It’s also a great opportunity to find residents whose stories can inspire others to make small changes to their lives, which will help to live and age well. 60 over 60 recognises those people who are living these values and who are inspiring to others.

Rob is not just an Environmental Hero, he is my everyday HERO! Rob inspires anyone who has a chance encounter with him.

Rob has a very intense, demanding and stressful job which cause his "Heart Attack" in 2017 and a "Stroke" in 2025. But he still carry on working. There are so many bills to pay like the increasing Councul Tax, utility bills (electrity, water, gas, and others), essential services (internet, landline, mobile, cable/TV licensing, and others), house insurance, car insurance, petrol, food, and others.

Luckily, we live in Cornwall. We are surrounded by the beauty and wonder of nature and fresh Cornish air. Rob always make sure that on his day off, he spend it with nature. This is Rob's way of de-stressing, unwinding, decompressing, chilling out, and winding down.

Rob is still feeling weak and easily get tired and exhausted eversince he has a stroke. But he tries his best to go out regularly for a walk, bird-watching, butterfly-watching, and beach cleaning.

Rob has lose more than 40 pounds in just three months. He has been eating healthily; mostly fresh salad, yogurt, eggs, fish, and chicken. Rob has stop smoking too since September 2025. With his weight lose and no smoking, Rob looks 10 years younger.

Our "health" and "wellbeing" is very important. Health is wealth. I am glad that Rob has now put a lot of effort to stay healthy.

I am so proud of Rob. He is resilient, forbearing, stoic, and steadfast. He has a big and kind heart.

R – Reliable
O – Obliging
B – Brilliant
I – Intelligent
N – Noteworthy

W – Wonderful
I – Inspiring
L – Loving
L – Laudable
I – Incredible
A – Awesome and Amazing
M – Magnanimous

Voluntary Works

1) Connect with Nature
● Health and Safety Officer
● Fieldtrip Leader
● From 2009 to present

2) National Trust (NT)
● Coast and Countryside Volunteer
● Chough Nest Protection Volunteer
● Wildlife Recorder
● From 2018 to present

3) Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)
● Chough Nest Protection Volunteer
● Cornish Chough Surveyor
● From 2012 to 2023

4) Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), Cornwall Branch
● Health and Safety Officer
● Events Organiser
● Fieldtrip Leader
● From 2025 to present

5) Three Bays Wildlife Group
● Butterfly Transect
● Seaquest Survey
● From 2019 to 2026

6) The Lost Garden of Heligan
● Butterfly Transect
● From 2023 to 2026

7) Woodland Valley Farm
● Bird Survey
● Butterfly Recording and Monitoring
● From 2021 to present

8) Trewithen Gardens
● Butterfly Recording and Monitoring
● From 2023 to present

9) Lanjeth Nursery and Water Garden
● Butterfly Recording and Monitoring
● From 2025 to present

10) Penrice Woods
● Butterfly Recording and Monitoring
● From 2026 to present

Connect with Nature
Website: www.ilovecornwall8.com/connect-with-nature
2026 Events: www.ilovecornwall8.com/2026-connect-with-nature-events
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/ConnectWithNatureWithRowena
Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/cwnwrowena
Instagram: www.instagram.com/cwnwrowena
YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/@ConnectWithNatureWithRowena

Publicity and Press Release

Cornwall Council: www.cornwall.gov.uk/council-news/health-wellbeing-and-social-care/celebrating-cornwall-s-inspirational-over-sixties
Cornwall Council: www.cornwall.gov.uk/60over60
Cornwall Council: www.cornwall.gov.uk/council-news/health-wellbeing-and-social-care/cornwall-s-60-over-60-finalists-are-announced
Cornish Stuff News: cornishstuff.com/community/meet-the-over-60s-proving-age-is-no-barrier-in-cornwall
Cornish Stuff News: cornishstuff.com/community/cornwalls-most-inspiring-over-60s-revealed-after-220-nominations
The Voice Newspaper: www.voicenewspapers.co.uk/news/community-news/cornwalls-60-over-60-honours-inspiring-senior-volunteers-898462

]]><![CDATA[National Trust Volunteer Conference 2025]]>Fri, 14 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.ilovecornwall8.com/blog/national-trust-volunteer-conference-2025

Rob and I had a wonderful time at the National Trust Volunteer Conference 2025 at Scorrier House.

Rob and I, Phil and Hilary, Frank Johns and others received a Long Service Award for volunteering with National Trust for many years. I love volunteering to worthy organisations.

]]><![CDATA[Cornish Chough Conservation Network Spring Meeting 2025]]>Tue, 11 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.ilovecornwall8.com/blog/cornish-chough-conservation-network-spring-meeting-2025

Rob and I had a great time at the Cornish Chough Conservation Network Spring Meeting 2025 at Pentireglaze. It's great to be in a room with all the Chough enthusiasts. It's always lovely to see old friends and meet new ones. Me, Hilary and Phil were all wearing our Cornwall Birds hoodies and t-shirts.

I can't wait to start Chough Watching again. This is something I am looking forward to do for the next couple of months.

]]><![CDATA[Butterfly Education Kit Giveaway 2024]]>Tue, 04 Jun 2024 20:28:09 GMThttps://www.ilovecornwall8.com/blog/butterfly-education-kit-giveaway-2024Every year, I giveaway Butterfly Education Kits to various schools in Cornwall to raise awareness of the importance of butterflies and their fascinating life cycle.

Ladock C of E Primary School is one of them, Cuby's class of Miss Sarah Edwards. I was delighted to meet the children. They are very enthusiastic. I am looking forward in visiting them again soon.

There are 59 Butterflies in the UK, 57 resident and 2 regular migrants. There are 36 Butterflies in Cornwall, 34 resident and 2 regular migrants.

Rowena Castillo-Nicholls presenting the Butterfly Education Kit to Sarah Edwards, EYFS teacher

Cuby's class, Ladock C of E Primary School

I am a “Stem Advocate” (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). I have been raising awareness on the importance of "Education". My parents are both teachers, so I grow up knowing the importance of education, going to university, and getting a degree and finishing it. Education enables us to develop our skills and abilities; helps us reach our goals and aspirations in life; achieve our dreams; enhance our knowledge. Every year, I giveaway "Butterfly Education Kits" to various schools in Cornwall to raise awareness of the importance of butterflies and their fascinating life cycle.

I am a Sustainable Development Goals number 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing) Advocate." I have been raising awareness through “Connect with Nature” because it benefits both our health and wellbeing.

I am a "Wildlife Advocate". I have been raising awareness on the importance of wildlife through "Wildlife Matters". I organise and lead nature walks. I do bird and butterfly survey and monitoring.

I am Trustee and Publicity Officer of Cornwall Bird Watching and Preservation Society (Cornwall Birds or CBWPS).

I am a volunteer of Three Bays Wildlife Group. I do Seaquest Survey in Dodman Point. I do Butterfly Transect in Portmellon Valley and The Lost Gardens of Heligan.

I am a volunteer Chough Watcher (nest site monitoring and protection) for National Trust and RSPB.

I am the Author and Photographer of "Paloresow Kernewek, The Cornish Choughs on the North Cornwall Coast" published in 2013. I am currently working on my next book.

I love inspiring people through my photographs and making a difference in the life of others through my advocacy and projects.

The Giant Butterfly Garden Includes:
● Pop-up, reusable 45cm tall super clear mesh habitat
●6-10 LIVE caterpillars with food (2 cups of caterpillars) or voucher to redeem for caterpillars (caterpillars available March to mid-September)
● Painted Lady butterfly life cycle stages figurines
● Feeding pipette
● Instruction guide
● x2 chrysalis stations (arrive with the caterpillars)
● Insect Lore sugar packet to make your very own Butterfly nectar (arrives with the caterpillars)

Life Cycle of a Butterfly:

1. First Stage:
Embryonic Stage – Egg (3-5 days)
A butterfly starts its life as an egg, often laid on a leaf. The eggs come in many shapes and colours. The shapes include spherical, oval, and pod-shaped; the colours include white, green, and yellow. The eggs have a thin, tough, protective shell, the chorion. This shell has raised ribs or pits (reticulations). The length of time required for the egg to hatch is dependent on the species and the environmental. Some species lay winter-hardy eggs in the fall, which hatch the following spring or summer.

2. Second Stage:
Caterpillar Comes Out! (5-10 days)
The caterpillar or larva hatches from an egg and eats leaves or flowers almost constantly. The caterpillar will increase up to several thousand times in size before pupating. When a caterpillar gets too big for its skin, it molts or sheds its old skin and keeps eating more.

3. Third Stage:
Chrysalis - Metamorphosis Begins (7-10 days)
The chrysalis or pupa is the stage in a butterfly's life when it is encased in a chrysalis and undergoing metamorphosis. Wings develop during this stage. About a day before the adult butterfly emerges, the chrysalis becomes transparent.

4. Fourth Stage (Imaginal Stage):
Butterfly Emerges! (2 weeks)
A beautiful, flying adult emerges. This adult will continue the cycle. The adult is also called the imago, emerges from its pupal cuticle with a swollen abdomen and shrivelled wings. For the first few hours of its adult life, the butterfly will pump hemolymph into the veins in its wings to expand them. The waste products of metamorphosis, a reddish liquid called meconium will be discharged from the anus.

]]><![CDATA[RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch at Trewithen Gardens]]>Sun, 28 Jan 2024 01:02:25 GMThttps://www.ilovecornwall8.com/blog/rspbs-big-garden-birdwatch-at-trewithen-gardens

Trewithen Gardens is beautiful all year round. It has a rich and diverse flora and fauna. A real haven for wildlife. We did our "RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch 2024" here this weekend. We saw 32 species of birds. There was even a huge flock of (around 300++) Redwings and Fieldfares.

List of Birds we saw:

1. Blackbird
2. Blue Tit
3. Bullfinch
4. Buzzard
5. Canada Goose
6. Carrion Crow
7. Chaffinch
8. Coal Tit
9. Collard Dove
10. Fieldfare
11. Goldcrest
12. Goldfinch
13. Great Spotted Woodpecker
14. Great Tit
15. Greenfinch
16. Herring Gull

17. House Sparrow
18. Jackdaw
19. Jay
20. Long Tailed Tit
21. Magpie
22. Mallard
23. Marsh Tit
24. Nuthatch
25. Redwing
26. Robin
27. Rook
28. Stonechat
29. Song Thrush
30. Starling
31. Woodpigeon
32. Wren

Whenever I see these gorgeous flowers: Snowdrops, Daffodils and Primroses, it makes me feel that spring is not that long now, it's just around the corner.

Trewithen Gardens has the best Camellia collection in various colours, shapes and sizes. They are absolutely stunning.

Get your Trewithen Gardens 2024 Season Ticket so you can come as often as you want from March to September. Click on the link: trewithen.digitickets.co.uk/tickets

Website: www.trewithengardens.co.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Trewithengardens
Twitter: www.twitter.com/Trewithengarden
Instagram: www.instagram.com/trewithen_gardens

Address:
Trewithen Gardens
Grampound Road
Truro Cornwall TR2 4DD

Getting to Trewithen Gardens:
From Truro take the A390 towards St Austell, through the village of Tresillian, for approximately 4 miles. Trewithen is on your right hand side shortly after the Probus roundabout.

]]><![CDATA[RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch by Rowena Castillo-Nicholls]]>Mon, 22 Jan 2024 19:15:19 GMThttps://www.ilovecornwall8.com/blog/rspbs-big-garden-birdwatch-by-rowena-castillo-nichollsBritish Garden Birds

It is such a delight to see all these gorgeous birds in my garden. I don't have to go far to see all these beauties. I just have to look out at my kitchen window.

I make sure that my feeders are refilled regularly. I have sunflower hearts, niger seeds, peanuts, raisins, mealworms, fat balls and bread plus water too.

It gives me so much joy seeing and listening to the chirping of these birds.

]]><![CDATA[The Greeves Cup Photography Competition Winner 2023]]>Sat, 07 Oct 2023 23:35:24 GMThttps://www.ilovecornwall8.com/blog/the-greeves-cup-photography-competition-winner-2023

I won "The Greeves Cup Photography Competition 2023". I also won in 4 other categories. I went up the stage 5x.

Thank you Rob Nicholls, brother Russel Castillo, sister Rachel Castillo and Libby Moore for the support and encouragement. It's much appreciated.

The awards were presented by Edward Bolitho, the Lord Lieutenant, HM The King’s representative in Cornwall and the Lieutenancy at the Cornwall Federation of Women's Institutes Annual Council Meeting in the Hall for Cornwall.

"I am a nature and wildlife enthusiast. I just want to capture the beauty and wonder of what I see through my lens."

● Best Entry Overall – Awarded “The Greeves Cup” Trophy
● "Animals” class – Awarded First Place
● “Novice” class – Awarded Second Place
● “Action or Movement” – Awarded Second Place
● “My Favourite Photograph”- Awarded Third Place

● Best Entry Overall – Awarded “The Greeves Cup” Trophy
● "Animals” class – Awarded First Place

● “Novice” class – Awarded Second Place

● “Action or Movement” – Awarded Second Place

● “My Favourite Photograph”- Awarded Third Place

Ladock WI is the Social Media Award 2023 Winner. Hooray! I created and designed our website and social media. Ladock WI website and social media have been an excellent way for communicating and engaging our members and the public; keeping in touch and connected with our members; promoting and advertising our events and activities; sharing our photos, hobbies and interest; and help captivate and entice new members. Ladock WI website is user friendly and easy to navigate. Everything you need to know about us is all there; all relevant information and links.

Website: www.ladockwomensinstitute.weebly.com
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/ladockwi
Instagram: www.instagram.com/ladockwi
Twitter: www.twitter.com/LadockWI

Ladock WI members: Rowena Castillo-Nicholls, Jenny Thomas, Brenda Ashley, Sue Rescola, Tracey Camps, Sandra Buck (president) and Lynn Fincher

Ladock WI members with Elizabeth I, Lesley Smith: Tracey Camps, Sue Rescola, Katrina Wasley, Rowena Castillo-Nicholls, Brenda Ashley, Jenny Thomas, Lynn Fincher and Sandra Buck (president, not in photo)

Me and Elizabeth I, Lesley Smith

Cornwall Federation of Women’s Institutes
Annual Council Meeting
The Hall for Cornwall
Monday, 2 October 2023, 11:00am to 4:00pm

Cornwall Live
www.facebook.com/cornwalllivenews/posts/pfbid0qz1Ne39qZkQ8BKEc92J65c4d5mwQiHXYZiDc4LseJ8p8eF2vRvvzALUgGPRh87RDl

]]><![CDATA[Flora and Fauna of Trewithen Gardens 2023]]>Sun, 10 Sep 2023 20:30:07 GMThttps://www.ilovecornwall8.com/blog/flora-and-fauna-of-trewithen-gardens-2023Trewithen Gardens is one of my favourite gardens in Cornwall. The garden is beautiful all year round. It has a rich and diverse flora and fauna. A real haven for wildlife. We've seen more than 10++ species of Butterflies from our Butterfly Walks. We had 52 species of moths from our Moth Night and 5 of them are migrants. There's also bees, beetles, crickets, dragonflies, frogs, fungi, grasshoppers, spiders, toads, wildflowers and a lot more...

Trewithen House is a Georgian country house in Cornwall. The Palladian house was built by London-based architect Thomas Edwards in 1723. The house is listed Grade I on the National Heritage List for England, and its gardens are Grade II* listed on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens.

Trewithen Gardens

The grounds of Trewithen Estate are noteworthy, with a prominent 200 yard-long lawn and gardens containing some rare plants. The two garden pavilions located 15 meters to the north east and the north west of the house are Grade I listed.

The entrance gates and piers 500 meters to the north east and the north west of the house are Grade II listed, as are the gates with piers to the north east and north west of the house. The kitchen garden walls adjoining the service wing to the west of the house are Grade II listed.

Garden Highlights:
● Magnolia Fountain
● The Cockpit
● Camera Obscura

Butterflies

Moths

Fungi

Talk and presentation on "Butterflies in Cornwall" by Rowena Castillo-Nicholls

It's been a real delight to give a talk and presentation on "Butterflies in Cornwall" to Trewithen Gardens' head gardener Gary Long and his team and staff.

Butterfly Walk around Trewithen Gardens with head gardener Gary Long and his team and staff.

Moth Night at Trewithen Gardens with Cornwall's moth experts Dave Gibbon and Frank Johns.

Dave Gibbon, Rowena Castillo Nicholls and Frank Johns at The Tea Shed with the moths from last night's Moth Night on display for public viewing.

The lovely Chaffinch wants a piece of the cake too!

Trewithen Gardens

Website: www.trewithengardens.co.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Trewithengardens
Twitter: www.twitter.com/Trewithengarden
Instagram: www.instagram.com/trewithen_gardens

Address:
Trewithen Gardens
Grampound Road
Truro Cornwall TR2 4DD

Getting to Trewithen Gardens:
From Truro take the A390 towards St Austell, through the village of Tresillian, for approximately 4 miles. Trewithen is on your right hand side shortly after the Probus roundabout.

]]><![CDATA[Dahlias at The Lost Gardens of Heligan]]>Wed, 23 Aug 2023 16:55:21 GMThttps://www.ilovecornwall8.com/blog/dahlias-at-the-lost-gardens-of-heligan

Had a fantastic and fabulous time at The Lost Gardens of Heligan. I enjoyed taking photos of the gorgeous Dahlias.

The Cornish Dahlia Society will return to Heligan for their 42nd Annual Show on 26 August to 28 August 2023.

]]><![CDATA[British and Irish Butterfly Rarities, Migrants, Extinctions and Introductions by Peter Eeles]]>Wed, 09 Aug 2023 23:34:55 GMThttps://www.ilovecornwall8.com/blog/british-and-irish-butterfly-rarities-migrants-extinctions-and-introductions-by-peter-eelesA book to complement the "Life Cycles of British & Irish Butterflies" to be published in September this year. More info at www.butterflyrarities.com. You can pre-order at www.naturebureau.co.uk/british-and-irish-butterfly-rarities-migrants-extinctions-and-introductions.

This is a must have book for all butterfly enthusiast!!!

]]><![CDATA[Velella velella or By-the-wind Sailor]]>Sun, 07 May 2023 23:00:00 GMThttps://www.ilovecornwall8.com/blog/velella-velella-or-by-the-wind-sailor

I love Rockpooling on the rugged and spectacular Cornish beaches. I always find some fascinating and incredible marine life.

On 7 May 2023, we saw hundreds of By-the-wind Sailors in Portholland beach. They look like aliens. I managed to take a few photos before it started pouring with rain.

Velella velella, a cosmopolitan free-floating hydrozoan that lives on the surface of the open ocean. It is commonly known by the names sea raft, by-the-wind sailor, purple sail, little sail, or simply Velella.

This small cnidarian is part of a specialised ocean surface community that includes the better-known cnidarian siphonophore, the Portuguese man o' war. Specialized predatory gastropod molluscs prey on these cnidarians.

Velella can sting and capture small prey, but they also harbor algal symbionts, giving mature specimens a greenish or even brown tint.

Copyright © Rowena Castillo-Nicholls. All Rights Reserved.
Images may not be used without the written permission of the photographer.

]]><![CDATA[Pearl-bordered Fritillary and Sand Crocus in Cornwall]]>Wed, 19 Apr 2023 23:00:00 GMThttps://www.ilovecornwall8.com/blog/pearl-bordered-fritillary-and-sand-crocus-in-cornwall

20 April 2023, the weather is sunny and warm with a soft breeze. Me and Rob decided to go and look for two rarities – Pearl-bordered Fritillary Boloria euphrosyne in Struddicks, Seaton/Murrayton area near Looe and Sand Crocus Romulea columnae in Polruan, Lantic Bay area.

We're so delighted and pleased to have seen and photograph these two rarities. We saw 5x Pearl-bordered Fritillary and 11x Sand Crocus flowers.

Once widespread across the UK, this rare Pearl-bordered Fritillary is now highly threatened in England and Wales. We’re really luck in Cornwall because we have a few sites that this butterfly can be seen. Because of the micro-climate in Struddicks, Seaton/Murrayton area, this is usually the first place in Cornwall to see them. We have been coming to this area to see this gorgeous butterfly since 2014.

20 April 2023: 5x Pearl-bordered Fritillary
26 April 2022: 15++ Pearl-bordered Fritillary
11 May 2019: 30++ Pearl-bordered Fritillary
18 May 2018: 20++ Pearl-bordered Fritillary
16 April 2017: 4x Pearl-bordered Fritillary
25 April 2016: 8x Pearl-bordered Fritillary
15 April 2015: 13x Pearl-bordered Fritillary
19 April 2014: 40++ Pearl-bordered Fritillary

The Sand Crocus Romulea columnae was found growing on the clifftops in Lantic Bay area in 1879 and 1881. There's been a few searches for this rare flower but it was not seen again until 2002. The only other site to see this rare flower is on Dawlish Warren in Devon and in the Channel Islands.

20 April 2023: 11x Sand Crocus
12 April 2022: 15++ Sand Crocus

Copyright © Rowena Castillo-Nicholls. All Rights Reserved.
Images may not be used without the written permission of the photographer.

]]><![CDATA[Purple Heron and Black-winged Stilt in Ruan Lanihorne, Cornwall]]>Sat, 08 Apr 2023 23:00:00 GMThttps://www.ilovecornwall8.com/blog/purple-heron-and-black-winged-stilt-in-ruan-lanihorne-cornwall

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.
Images may not be used without the written permission of the photographer.

]]><![CDATA[My 2 Greatest Wildlife Sightings]]>Sat, 01 Apr 2023 22:48:52 GMThttps://www.ilovecornwall8.com/blog/my-2-greatest-wildlife-sightings

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
Extremely Rare Migrant Butterfly

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.

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.

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.

]]><![CDATA[Cornwall Beaver Project presents: Our Future with Beavers]]>Thu, 23 Mar 2023 15:02:22 GMThttps://www.ilovecornwall8.com/blog/cornwall-beaver-project-presents-our-future-with-beavers

Tickets are Free but please reserve your place on Eventbrite:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/our-future-with-beavers-tickets-594711908327
or email request to oldmacdonald59@gmail.com

]]><![CDATA[An extremely rare American Painted Lady was seen and photographed in Cornwall]]>Thu, 22 Sep 2022 16:02:11 GMThttps://www.ilovecornwall8.com/blog/an-extremely-rare-american-painted-lady-was-seen-and-photographed-in-cornwall

American Painted Lady Vanessa virginiensi
also known as the American Lady, Painted Beauty, and Hunter's Butterfly

Butterflies: Clouded Yellow, Green-veined White, a huge number of Large White, Painted Lady, Red Admiral, Small Copper, Small Tortoiseshell, Small White, Speckled Wood and Wall
Birds: Corvids, Sparrowhawk, Stonechat, Whinchat, Yellowhammer and a lot more...

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. For the past few years, it's been seen around the UK and Cornwall.

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.

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.

American Painted Lady
Vanessa virginiensis

Painted Lady
Vanessa cardui

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

BBC Radio Cornwall

UK Butterflies

Copyright © Rowena Castillo-Nicholls. All Rights Reserved.
Images may not be used without the written permission of the photographer.

]]><![CDATA[Rowena's 50th Birthday Celebration in Cornwall, London, Salisbury and Dartmoor]]>Thu, 07 Jul 2022 11:49:41 GMThttps://www.ilovecornwall8.com/blog/rowenas-50th-birthday-celebration-in-cornwall-london-salisbury-and-dartmoorRob, 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

Big Ben

County Hall

Statue of Anteros

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

]]><![CDATA[ROWENA, born on the 1st of July 1972]]>Thu, 30 Jun 2022 16:09:07 GMThttps://www.ilovecornwall8.com/blog/rowena-born-on-the-1st-of-july-1972

1st July, I will celebrate ME. The birth of ME, MYSELF and I. The person I have grown to be. The person I will become. The daughter, sister, auntie, niece, cousin, friend, wife and I am.

Life does begin at 50 (not 40). Goodbye, adieu, adios, arrivederci, cheerio, sayonara, au revoir, so long 40s. Hello, howdy, bonjour, buenos dias, what's up 50. I’m no longer 40-something. I’m now a 50-somebody.

I wish myself many more years of joy, love, laughter, good health and prosperity. I wish myself strength and wisdom for days to come and success with everything I do today and tomorrow.

Thank you God for the gift of life and for giving me another year to live. Thank you Lord for giving me the courage and strength to face any challenges that comes my way.

Thank you God for all the experience of this past year, for times of success which will always be happy memories, for times of failure which reminded me of my own weakness and of my need for you, for times of joy when the sun was shining, for times of sadness which drove me to you.

Rob… Thank you for always making me happy. I feel like every day is my birthday. You are the most loving, caring, affectionate and dependable husband. Thank you for encouraging me to follow my heart and do what I love to do. Thank you for supporting my passion and interest in writing and photography. Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for always bringing out the best in me. Thank you for being my number one fan, my staunch supporter, my most loyal ally. You are truly my rock and the wind beneath my wings. I love you for loving me tremendously.

Daddy Leon and Mommy Angie… Thank you for being the best parents a child could ever ask for. Thank you for your unconditional love and endless care. Thank you for making sure I have a wonderful and memorable childhood. Thank you for supporting my every endeavor and encouraging me to do my best in everything I do. Thank you for your advice and wisdom. I am who I am today because of you. Thank you for nurturing me into the woman I am today.

Thank you Mommy Angie for giving birth to this awesome, amazing, brilliant and smart child.

Thank you brother Russel, sis-in-law Myla, nephew Gabriel and Miguel, sistah Rachel for all your love and care, thoughtfulness and generosity. Thank you for always sharing your blessings. Thank you for looking after my best interest. Thank you for always having my back.

Thank you my dear friends from the University of the East College of Dentistry and Manila Central University College of Dentistry for the friendship. You made my Dentistry days so much fun and enjoyable, wonderful and memorable. You coloured my world.

Thank you BFF Nelinda Cupino for the friendship, for always being there for me eventhough we're miles away.

Thank you my lovely Soroptimist friends Maggie Hamilton, Jane Bridges and Kay Turner for your friendship, kindness and thoughtfulness. I really appreciate you. You're the sweetest.

Thank you my good friends Paul Miles and Dawn Miles for your thoughtfulness and generosity. You are truly the most dependable and most helpful friends.

Thank you my good friends Lee Slaughter, Russell Hemmings and David Conway for taking me to Cerne Abbas, Dorset to see the Duke of Burgundy butterfly; Fontmell and Melbury Downs, Dorset to see the Glanville Fritillary, Adonis Blue butterfly and Small Blue butterfly and Daneway Banks to see the Large Blue butterfly. Five butterflies now tick off my list.

Thank you to all my family, relatives and friends who remembered my special day... for the cards, gifts and good wishes. I'm forever grateful.

The big FIVE-OH.
My golden year is here.
I had five decades of an amazing life.
But I’ll go and make this one the best year yet.
I hope I will live them to the fullest, starting today.
The older you get, the more you shine.
Here's to 50 amazing years on earth! Cheers!

50 for 50

Hobbies and Interests:
1. Photography
2. Writing
3. Bird-watching
4. Butterfly-watching
5. Nature and Wildlife Walk
6. Rockpooling
7. Wildflower and Wild Orchid Hunt
8. Cooking and Baking
9. Gardening

Talks and Presentations:
10. Butterflies in Cornwall
11. Butterfly Watching in Cornwall
12. Chough Watching in Cornwall
13. A Decade of Chough Watching
14. Top 20 Sightings of the Decade

Advocacy:
15. Wildlife Advocate, raising awareness on the importance of wildlife through "Wildlife Matters".
16. Mental Health and Well-being Advocate, raising awareness through “Connect with Nature” because it benefits both the mental health and physical well-being.

Book Published:
17. Paloresow Kernewek, the Cornish Choughs on the North Cornwall Coast, published in 2013.

Books Written:
18. Butterfly Watching in Cornwall
19. Cornish Choughs, Paloresow Kernewek
20. Nature and Wildlife Walks in Cornwall

Volunteer:
21. Chough Watcher, nest protection and nest location for RSPB.
22. Chough Watcher, nest protection and nest location for National Trust.
23. Butterfly Transect in Lower Portmellon Valley for Three Bays Wildlife Group.
24. Seaquest Survey in The Dodman Point for Three Bays Wildlife Group.
25. Bumblebee Transect for Bumblebee Conservation Trust.
26. Wildlife Recording at Woodland Valley Farm.
27. Founding Member and Trustee for Cornwall Butterfly and Moth Society.
28. Committee, Marketing & Communications Sub Group, Social Media Admin for Campaign to Protect Rural England, Cornwall branch.

Sightings:
29. Bearded Vulture, also known as the Lammergeier or Ossifrage on 23rd May 2016 in Helman Tor. This species is a first in the UK and first in Cornwall.
30. Dalmatian Pelican in Drift Reservoir.
31. Grey Catbird in Treen near Land’s End.
32. Brown Booby in Kynance Cove.
33. European Roller in Clowance Estate.
34. Brambling in my garden for the past few years.
35. 36 Butterflies of Cornwall.
36. Large Blue butterfly in Daneway Banks.
37. Glanville Fritillary, Adonis Blue butterfly and Small Blue butterfly in Fontmell and Melbury Downs, Dorset.
38. Duke of Burgundy butterfly in Cerne Abbas, Dorset.
39. White Admiral butterfly and White-letter Hairstreak butterfly in Bovey Valley Woods.
40. High Brown Fritillary in Aish Tor.
41. Long-tailed Blue butterfly in Killigerran Head.
42. Pearl-bordered Fritillary aberattion Albomaculata in Fellover Brake.
43. Silver-studded Blue butterfly aberration Bilateral Gynandromorph in Penhale Sands.
44. In 2012, a pair of Cornish Choughs on the north Cornwall coast bred for the first time after 40 years. On 25th June 2012, so lucky to see 2 Choughlings fledged.
45. In 2016, saw the first Cornish Choughs to breed on the Roseland Peninsula for decades, around 200 years (a century even). One year old female fledged three chicks, a very rare event.
46. Bee Orchid, Lesser Butterfly Orchid, White Fragrant Orchid, Common Twayblade Orchid, Green-winged Orchid, Southern Marsh Orchid, Early Purple Orchid, Pyramidal Orchid, Heath Spotted Orchid and Common Spotted Orchid.
47. Gem, Dahlia, Daisy, Snakelocks, Strawberry and Beadlet Anemone

Women’s Organisation:
48. Ladock Women’s Institute
49. Soroptimist International, St Austell and Disrtict

Others:
50. Set-up Ladock Parish Wildlife Group. Organised talks and presentations. Organised nature and wildlife walks.

]]><![CDATA[Butterflies in the UK]]>Sat, 04 Jun 2022 23:00:00 GMThttps://www.ilovecornwall8.com/blog/butterflies-in-the-uk

There are 59 Butterflies in the UK, 57 resident and 2 regular migrants. There are 36 Butterflies in Cornwall, 34 resident and 2 regular migrants, 1 introduced / re-introduced and 1 extinct.

I've already seen 46 butterfly species and photograph 44. I have to see 13 more and photograph 15. Fingers-crossed, I will be able to see a few more this year.

Resident Butterflies

Adonis Blue

Black Hairstreak

Brimstone

Brown Argus

Brown Hairstreak

Chalk Hill Blue

Chequered Skipper

Comma

Common Blue

Cryptic Wood White

Dark Green Fritillary

Dingy Skipper

Duke of Burgundy

Essex Skipper

Gatekeeper

Glanville Fritillary

Grayling

Green Hairstreak

Green-veined White

Grizzled Skipper

Heath Fritillary

High Brown Fritillary

Holly Blue

Large Blue

Large Skipper

Large Heath

Large White

Lulworth Skipper

Marbled White

Marsh Fritillary

Meadow Brown

Mountain Ringlet

Northern Brown Argus

Orange Tip

Peacock

Pearl-bordered Fritillary

Purple Emperor

Purple Hairstreak

Red Admiral

Ringlet

Scotch Argus

Silver-spotted Skipper

Silver-studded Blue

Silver-washed Fritillary

Small Blue

Small Copper

Small Heath

Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary

Small Skipper

Small Tortoiseshell

Small White

Speckled Wood

Swallowtail

Wall

White Admiral

White-letter Hairstreak

Wood White

Regular Migrant Butterflies

Clouded Yellow

Painted Lady

Rare Migrant Butterflies

American Painted Lady

Long-tailed Blue

Importance of Butterflies

1. Butterflies are important and valuable pollinators.
2. Butterflies are indicator of a healthy environment.
3. Butterflies are part of the food chain, they act as a food source for birds, bats, reptiles, amphibians and others.
4. Butterflies act as natural pest control.
5. Butterflies make us happy. David Attenborough says spending time in nature, even just watching butterflies in your garden, is good for our mental health.
6. Butterflies gives colour to our environment.
7. Others...

Life Cycle of a Butterfly

1. First Stage:
Embryonic Stage – Egg (3-5 days)
A butterfly starts its life as an egg, often laid on a leaf. The eggs come in many shapes and colours. The shapes include spherical, oval, and pod-shaped; the colours include white, green, and yellow. The eggs have a thin, tough, protective shell, the chorion. This shell has raised ribs or pits (reticulations). The length of time required for the egg to hatch is dependent on the species and the environmental. Some species lay winter-hardy eggs in the fall, which hatch the following spring or summer.

2. Second Stage:
Caterpillar Comes Out! (5-10 days)
The caterpillar or larva hatches from an egg and eats leaves or flowers almost constantly. The caterpillar will increase up to several thousand times in size before pupating. When a caterpillar gets too big for its skin, it molts or sheds its old skin and keeps eating more.

3. Third Stage:
Chrysalis - Metamorphosis Begins (7-10 days)
The chrysalis or pupa is the stage in a butterfly's life when it is encased in a chrysalis and undergoing metamorphosis. Wings develop during this stage. About a day before the adult butterfly emerges, the chrysalis becomes transparent.

4. Fourth Stage (Imaginal Stage):
Butterfly Emerges! (2 weeks)
A beautiful, flying adult emerges. This adult will continue the cycle. The adult is also called the imago, emerges from its pupal cuticle with a swollen abdomen and shrivelled wings. For the first few hours of its adult life, the butterfly will pump hemolymph into the veins in its wings to expand them. The waste products of metamorphosis, a reddish liquid called meconium will be discharged from the anus.

Food Source

Butterflies eat, much better word is drink through their proboscis – a tube that works a bit like a straw. But they actually taste using their feet!

1. Nectar
The butterfly’s primary source of food is nectar. It gets nectar from plants and flowers like

2. Old Fruit
Butterflies love a sweet treat. You can leave out an overripe banana. Alternatively, if you have fruit trees in your garden, leave fallen fruit on the ground. Butterflies seem to have a particular taste for pears, plums and apples.

3. Sugar Solution
Butterflies are often sleepy when they first wake from their cocoons or from hibernation in the spring. If you come across a butterfly struggling to get going, you can prepare a boiled then cooled mix of sugar and water. Use a brightly coloured sponge to soak up the solution. A butterfly will take sips from it and get the boost it needs to take flight.

4. Muddy Puddles
The glucose in nectar and fruit gives butterflies their energy. But butterflies also require other nutrients. That’s why you may sometimes see them crowded around a muddy puddle. By sipping from the puddle they take in minerals and salts from the soil, which are thought to be important for reproduction.

By including a few of these food sources in your garden, you can attract butterflies for the whole of the season, making your garden into a festival of colour and life.

Butterfly in Different Languages

Cornish - Tykki Duw
French - Papillon
German - Schmetterling
Ilocano - Kulibangnag
Irish - Feileacan
Italian - Farfalla
Latin - Papilio
Portuguese - Borboleta
Spanish - Mariposa
Tagalog - Paruparo

Butterflies in the UK

Resident Butterflies:
1. Adonis Blue  Polyommatus bellargus
2. Black Hairstreak  Satyrium pruni
3. Brimstone  Gonepteryx rhamni
4. Brown Argus  Aricia agestis
5. Brown Hairstreak Thecla betulae
6. Chalk Hill Blue Polyommatus coridon
7. Chequered Skipper  Carterocephalus palaemon
8. Comma Polygonia c-album
9. Common Blue Polyommatus Icarus
10. Cryptic Wood White  Leptidea juvernica
11. Dark Green Fritillary Argynnis aglaja
12. Dingy Skipper Erynnis tages
13. Duke of Burgundy Hamearis lucina
14. Essex Skipper Thymelicus lineola
15. Gatekeeper Pyronia tithonus
16. Glanville Fritillary Melitaea cinxia
17. Grayling Hipparchia semele
18. Green Hairstreak Callophrys rubi
19. Green-veined White Pieris napi
20. Grizzled Skipper Pyrgus malvae
21. Heath Fritillary Melitaea athalia
22. High Brown Fritillary Argynnis adippe
23. Holly Blue Celastrina argiolus
24. Large Blue Maculinea arion
25. Large Heath Coenonympha tullia
26. Large Skipper Ochlodes sylvanus
27. Large White Pieris brassicae
28. Lulworth Skipper Thymelicus acteon
29. Marbled White Melanargia galathea
30. Marsh Fritillary Euphydryas aurinia
31. Meadow Brown Maniola jurtina
32. Mountain Ringlet Erebia epiphron
33. Northern Brown Argus  Aricia artaxerxes
34. Orange Tip Anthocharis cardamines
35. Peacock Aglais io
36. Pearl-bordered Fritillary  Boloria euphrosyne
37. Purple Emperor Apatura iris
38. Purple Hairstreak Favonius quercus
39. Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta
40. Ringlet Aphantopus hyperantus
41. Scotch Argus Erebia aethiops
42. Silver-spotted Skipper  Hesperia comma
43. Silver-studded Blue Plebejus argus
44. Silver-washed Fritillary  Argynnis paphia
45. Small Blue Cupido minimus
46. Small Copper Lycaena phlaeas
47. Small Heath Coenonympha pamphilus
48. Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary  Boloria selene
49. Small Skipper Thymelicus sylvestris
50. Small Tortoiseshell Aglais urticae
51. Small White Pieris rapae
52. Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria
53. Swallowtail Papilio Machaon
54. Wall Lasiommata megera
55. White Admiral Limenitis camilla
56. White-letter Hairstreak  Satyrium w-album
57. Wood White Leptidea sinapis

Regular Migrant Butterflies:
1. Clouded Yellow Colias croceus
2. Painted Lady Vanessa cardui

Rare Migrant Butterflies:
1. American Painted Lady  Vanessa virginiensis
2. Long-tailed Blue  Lampides boeticus

Revised Red List of UK Butterflies

Regionally Extinct:
1. Black-veined White
2. Large Tortoiseshell
3. Large Copper
4. Mazarine Blue

Endangered:
1. Wood White
2. Wall
3. Large Heath
4. Grayling
5. High Brown Fritillary
6. Glanville Fritillary
7. Heath Fritillary
8. Black Hairstreak

Vulnerable:
1. Swallowtail
2. Grizzled Skipper
3. Silver-spotted Skipper
4. Small Heath
5. Scotch Argus
6. Pearl-bordered Fritillary
7. Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary
8. White Admiral
9. Marsh Fritillary
10. Duke of Burgundy
11. Brown Hairstreak
12. White-letter Hairstreak
13. Silver-studded Blue
14. Northern Brown Argus
15. Adonis Blue
16. Chalk Hill Blue

Near Threatened:
1. Lulwoth Skipper
2. Mountain Ringlet
3. Dark Green Fritillary
4. Small Blue
5. Large Blue

Copyright © Rowena Castillo-Nicholls. All Rights Reserved.
Images may not be used without the written permission of the photographer.

]]><![CDATA[Butterflies in Cornwall]]>Sat, 04 Jun 2022 23:00:00 GMThttps://www.ilovecornwall8.com/blog/butterflies-in-cornwall

There are 59 Butterflies in the UK, 57 resident and 2 regular migrants. There are 36 Butterflies in Cornwall, 34 resident and 2 regular migrants, 1 introduced / re-introduced and 1 extinct.

Resident Butterflies

Brimstone

Brown Argus

Comma

Common Blue

Dark Green Fritillary

Dingy Skipper

Gatekeeper

Grayling

Green Hairstreak

Green-veined White

Grizzled Skipper

Heath Fritillary

Holly Blue

Large Skipper

Large White

Marbled White

Marsh Fritillary

Meadow Brown

Orange Tip

Peacock

Pearl-bordered Fritillary

Purple Hairstreak

Red Admiral

Ringlet

Silver-studded Blue

Silver-washed Fritillary

Small Copper

Small Heath

Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary

Small Skipper

Small Tortoiseshell

Small White

Speckled Wood

Wall

Regular Migrant Butterflies

Clouded Yellow

Painted Lady

Rare Migrant Butterflies

The extremely rare
American Painted Lady
22 September 2022

Long-tailed Blue
2 September 2022
19 August 2019

Aberrations

Grizzled Skipper
aberration taras

Heath Fritillary
aberration

Pearl-bordered Fritillary
aberration albomaculata

Silver-studded Blue
Bilateral Gynandromorph
half male, half female

Silver-washed Fritillary
female Valesina form

Importance of Butterflies

Life Cycle of a Butterfly

1. First Stage:
Embryonic Stage – Egg (3-5 days)
A butterfly starts its life as an egg, often laid on a leaf. The eggs come in many shapes and colours. The shapes include spherical, oval, and pod-shaped; the colours include white, green, and yellow. The eggs have a thin, tough, protective shell, the chorion. This shell has raised ribs or pits (reticulations). The length of time required for the egg to hatch is dependent on the species and the environmental. Some species lay winter-hardy eggs in the fall, which hatch the following spring or summer.

2. Second Stage:
Caterpillar Comes Out! (5-10 days)
The caterpillar or larva hatches from an egg and eats leaves or flowers almost constantly. The caterpillar will increase up to several thousand times in size before pupating. When a caterpillar gets too big for its skin, it molts or sheds its old skin and keeps eating more.

3. Third Stage:
Chrysalis - Metamorphosis Begins (7-10 days)
The chrysalis or pupa is the stage in a butterfly's life when it is encased in a chrysalis and undergoing metamorphosis. Wings develop during this stage. About a day before the adult butterfly emerges, the chrysalis becomes transparent.

4. Fourth Stage (Imaginal Stage):
Butterfly Emerges! (2 weeks)
A beautiful, flying adult emerges. This adult will continue the cycle. The adult is also called the imago, emerges from its pupal cuticle with a swollen abdomen and shrivelled wings. For the first few hours of its adult life, the butterfly will pump hemolymph into the veins in its wings to expand them. The waste products of metamorphosis, a reddish liquid called meconium will be discharged from the anus.

Food Source

Fascinating Facts about Butterflies

● Butterfly wings are transparent.
● Butterflies taste with their feet.
● Butterflies live on an all-liquid diet.
● Butterflies drink from mud puddles.
● Butterflies can't fly if they're cold.
● The smallest butterfly is the Western Blue Pigmy, which is only 2cm across.
● The largest butterfly in the world is the female Queen Alexandra’s birdwing, with a wingspan of over 25cm!
● A butterfly’s lifecycle is made up of four parts, egg, larva (caterpillars), pupa (chrysalis) and adult.

Butterfly in Different Languages

Cornish - Tykki Duw
French - Papillon
German - Schmetterling
Ilocano - Kulibangnag
Irish - Feileacan
Italian - Farfalla
Latin - Papilio
Portuguese - Borboleta
Spanish - Mariposa
Tagalog - Paruparo

Butterflies in Cornwall

Resident Butterflies:
1. Brimstone  Gonepteryx rhamni
2. Brown Argus  Aricia agestis
3. Comma  Polygonia c-album
4. Common Blue  Polyommatus Icarus
5. Dark Green Fritillary  Argynnis aglaja
6. Dingy Skipper  Erynnis tages
7. Gatekeeper  Pyronia tithonus
8. Grayling  Hipparchia semele
9. Green Hairstreak  Callophrys rubi
10. Green-veined White  Pieris napi
11. Grizzled Skipper  Pyrgus malvae
12. Heath Fritillary  Melitaea athalia
13. Holly Blue  Celastrina argiolus
14. Large Skipper  Ochlodes sylvanus
15. Large White  Pieris brassicae
16. Marbled White  Melanargia galathea
17. Marsh Fritillary  Euphydryas aurinia
18. Meadow Brown  Maniola jurtina
19. Orange Tip  Anthocharis cardamines
20. Peacock  Aglais io
21. Pearl-bordered Fritillary  Boloria euphrosyne
22. Purple Hairstreak  Favonius quercus
23. Red Admiral  Vanessa atalanta
24. Ringlet  Aphantopus hyperantus
25. Silver-studded Blue  Plebejus argus
26. Silver-washed Fritillary  Argynnis paphia
27. Small Copper  Lycaena phlaeas
28. Small Heath  Coenonympha pamphilus
29. Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary  Boloria selene
30. Small Skipper  Thymelicus sylvestris
31. Small Tortoiseshell  Aglais urticae
32. Small White  Pieris rapae
33. Speckled Wood  Pararge aegeria
34. Wall  Lasiommata megera

Regular Migrant Butterflies:
1. Clouded Yellow  Colias croceus
2. Painted Lady  Vanessa cardui

Rare Migrant Butterflies:
1. American Painted Lady  Vanessa virginiensis
2. Long-tailed Blue  Lampides boeticus

Revised Red List of UK Butterflies

]]><![CDATA[Pearl-bordered Fritillary ab. albomaculata]]>Tue, 24 May 2022 23:40:24 GMThttps://www.ilovecornwall8.com/blog/pearl-bordered-fritillary-ab-albomaculata

Saturday, 14 May 2022, Cornwall Butterfly and Moth Society went on a "Butterfly Fieldtrip" at Fellover Brake, Tuckingmill, St Breward. The fieldtrip was organised by Lee Slaughter. It was attended by members and friends who were so delighted to see 30++ Pearl-bordered Fritillaries plus a rare Pearl-bordered Fritillary ab. albomaculata which was first spotted by Robbie Robinson, the fieldtrip leader.

Monday, 16 May 2022, me and Rob went but did not saw the aberration.

Thursday, 19 May 2022, Dave Conway was very lucky to see the Pearl-bordered Fritillary ab. albomaculata.

Saturday, 21 May 2022, me and Rob meet up with Russell Hemmings. This time, we're lucky to see the Pearl-bordered Fritillary ab. albomaculata.

Sunday, 22 May 2022, Lee Slaughter and John Chapple were very lucky to see the Pearl-bordered Fritillary ab. albomaculata.

If you have not yet seen the aberration, you better head up to Fellover Brake. It's all worth the trip.

Pearl-bordered Fritillary ab. albomaculata (Goodson.Entom.1959.92.p.148.)

Albino. All black patterning replaced by pale silvery-grey on normal ground colour. It is similar in appearance to ab. albomaculata Goodson of adippe [Argynnis adippe, High Brown Fritillary], coloured figures of which can be seen in Frohawk’s Hist.Brit.Butts.pl.13.f.17.

]]><![CDATA[Fully-funded Workshops for Cornish locals in May and June 2022]]>Fri, 13 May 2022 10:36:08 GMThttps://www.ilovecornwall8.com/blog/fully-funded-workshops-for-cornish-locals-in-may-and-june-2022

New fully-funded workshops for Cornish residents coming up in May and June. These are free events for Cornish residents (eligibility criteria apply).

Make Your Own Podcast

Choose from 3 dates/venues:
Mount Pleasant Eco Park, Porthtowan: Monday 16th May 2022, 9.30am-1.30pm
Passmore Edwards Institute, Hayle: Monday 6th June 2022, 1.30-5.30pm
Acorn Theatre, Penzance: Tuesday 21st June 2022, 9.30am-1.30pm

This bite-size taster session will take you through the simple steps of researching, recording and uploading a podcast. You will be encouraged to plan for your first podcast. You will be introduced to the basics of recording and editing sounds on a computer and you will learn how to package and market your first podcast. You don’t need to bring along any fancy equipment, although a smartphone, laptop or tablet might prove useful. The session will be led by experienced radio producer and University of Exeter lecturer Matthew Rogers. Free refreshments are included.

Numbers are limited and advance booking is required. For enquiries, please contact returntolearning@exeter.ac.uk.

These Tasters are part-funded by the European Social Fund within the project Widening Participation through Skills and free to people who live in Cornwall & IoS (after completing a participant form with ID) . Eligibility criteria apply.

Environment Day

Environment & Sustainability Institute (ESI), University of Exeter Penryn Campus: Wednesday 15 June 2022 9.30am – 4.00pm

This day is for adults who live in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and will be dedicated to learning more about the environment, ecology and conservation, with expert lectures and workshops, sharing some of the world-class teaching and research taking place at the University of Exeter. This one-off event is a unique opportunity for local residents and includes a complimentary lunch.

Insect Superheroes: what has an insect ever done for you? Chris Bass – Professor of Applied Entomology

In Praise of Water: Microplastics and Antimicrobial Resistance, Emily Stevenson – PhD student and Founder of Beach Guardian

Nature Walk & Talk: Living through a Time of Change (with a visit to the beautiful Walled Garden), Dr Joanie Willett – Senior Lecturer in Politics, Co-Director of the Institute of Cornish Studies

A New Look at Renewable Energy: Richard Cochrane – Associate Professor for Renewable Energy, Fellow of the Energy Institute

Numbers are limited and advance booking is required. For enquiries, please contact returntolearning@exeter.ac.uk.

This event is part-funded by the European Social Fund within the project Widening Participation through Skills and free to people who live in Cornwall & IoS (after completing a participant form with ID) . Eligibility criteria apply.

Cornish Studies Workshop

Treverbyn Community Hall, Stenalees, St Austell: Thursday 23rd June, 2.00-6.00pm

This session will give fascinating insights into the history of Cornwall, the Cornish language and festivals. There will be the chance to learn some Cornish and reflect on what it means to live in Cornwall today. This session will be led by Dr Garry Tregidga, Director of the Institute of Cornish Studies, Dr Joanie Willett, Co-director, and Kensa Broadhurst, PhD student, language teacher and bard of the Cornish Gorsedh. This event includes a complimentary cream tea.

Numbers are limited and advance booking is required. For enquiries, please contact returntolearning@exeter.ac.uk.

This event is part-funded by the European Social Fund within the project Widening Participation through Skills and free to people who live in Cornwall & IoS (after completing a participant form with ID) . Eligibility criteria apply.

]]><![CDATA[Sand Crocus "Romulea columnae", rare flower in Cornwall]]>Mon, 11 Apr 2022 23:00:00 GMThttps://www.ilovecornwall8.com/blog/sand-crocus-romulea-columnae-rare-flower-in-cornwall

We're quite lucky to be living in Cornwall. We are surrounded by spectacular and picturesque scenery as well as amazing and diverse flora and fauna, in which some of them are even rare.

On 12 April 2022, me and my husband Rob went to Lantic Bay area to search for the rare Sand Crocus Romulea columnae. We're so delighted to find this rare beauty and saw more than 15++ flowers. The weather is cloudy, murky, misty with a bit of sunny spell that's why I was able to take a few shots of the flowers with its petals open.

The Sand Crocus Romulea columnae was found growing on the clifftop in Lantic Bay area in 1879 and 1881. There's been a few searches for this rare flower but it was not seen again until 2002. The only other site to see this rare flower is on Dawlish Warren in Devon and in the Channel Islands.

I'm really delighted and pleased to have seen and photograph this rare and gorgeous flower.

Sand Crocus Romulea columnae
● Common Name: Sand Crocus
● Scientific Name: Romulea columnae
● Family: Iris (Iridaceae)
● Main Flower Color: Purple
● Range: Only at Lantic Bay in Cornwall, Dawlish Warren in Devon and in the Channel Islands.
● Height: up to 4 cm
● Habitat: Cliffs and short, sandy grassland, beside the coast.
● Flowers: Six pale purple, equally-sized petals, pointed at the tip, crossed by a dark midvein and a pair of lighter lateral veins; up to 10 mm in diameter. Sometimes more uniformly darker purple, or pink. Greenish-yellow at the centre. Usually solitary; occasionally in pairs. There are three stamens, topped by yellow anthers.
● Leaves: Linear, up to 10 cm long and 2 mm wide, curly and somewhat wiry, growing from the base.
● Season: March to May
● Rarity: ★★★★★

]]><![CDATA[Butterfly-watching in Cornwall]]>Fri, 28 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.ilovecornwall8.com/blog/butterfly-watching-in-cornwall-2022

27 February 2022
Trevose Head

Red Admiral

Small Tortoiseshell

22 March 2022
Woodland Valley Farm, Ladock

Comma

Peacock

Small Tortoiseshell

3 April 2022
The Dodman, Gorran

Green-veined White and Wall

16 April 2022
Roseland Peninsula

Orange Tip

Red Admiral, Peacock and Holy Blue

18 April 2022
North Cornwall Coast

Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell and Red Admiral

19 April 2022
Crowhill Valley, Grampound

Green-veined White

Peacock, Red Admiral and Speckled Wood

20 April 2022
Woodland Valley Farm

Speckled Wood

Red Admiral, Orange Tip and Peacock

24 April 2022
Wheal Friendly, St Agnes

Red Admiral and Comma

25 April 2022
Portmellon Valley, St Austell

Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Red Admiral, Speckled Wood, Green-veined White and Holy Blue

26 April 2022
Struddicks, Seaton

Small Copper, Orange Tip, Holy Blue, Peacock, Speckled Wood and Wall

26 April 2022: 15++ Pearl-bordered Fritillary
11 May 2019: 30++ Pearl-bordered Fritillary
18 May 2018: 20++ Pearl-bordered Fritillary
16 April 2017: 4x Pearl-bordered Fritillary
25 April 2016: 8x Pearl-bordered Fritillary
15 April 2015: 13x Pearl-bordered Fritillary
19 April 2014: 40++ Pearl-bordered Fritillary

30 April 2022
Perran Sands, Perranporth

Wall, Peacock and Speckled Wood

Grizzled Skipper

4 May 2022
Park Head, North Cornwall Coast

Pair of Small Coppers

Orange Tip, Peacock and Wall

5 May 2022
Trevaunance, St Agnes

Small Copper, Green-veined White, Holy Blue, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell and Wall

7 May 2022
Wheal Maid, Poldice, St Day

Silver-studded Blue larva

Common Blue larva

Burnet Moth larva

8 May 2022
De Lank, St Breward

Pearl-bordered Fritillary

15 May 2022
Cerne Abbas, Dorchester, Dorset

Marsh Fritillary, Dingy Skipper and Grizzled Skipper

Duke of Burgundy

15 May 2022
Fontmell and Melbury Downs, Dorset

Small Blue

Adonis Blue

Glanville Fritillary

16 May 2022
Fellover Brake, Tuckingmill, St Breward

Pearl-bordered Fritillary

21 May 2022
Fellover Brake, Tuckingmill, St Breward

Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary

Pearl-bordered Fritillary ab. pittionii
(Nitsche.Verh.zoolbot.Ges.Wien.1926.74-75.p.17.) vittata Nordstrom.Ent.Tidskr.1933.54.p.175.pl.5.f.11.

Upperside of the forewings with a well-developed black band in the median area stretching from the costa to inner margin. The hindwings black from the base to the median line of spots. Nordstrom named the same form in subspecies septentrionalis.