Cornish Nature

Dragonflies, images and studies of nature from near and afar

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Holiday Nature Diary

The song of the Nightingale

NightingaleIn keeping with the modern culture of designated days for this, and special days for that, Sunday 2nd May 2010 was international dawn chorus day. The event received a fair amount of coverage on the television & radio, but with my own shameful "rise & shine" moment taking place at 7.45am, well after dawn, I missed the whole spectacle.

One of the species that was often talked about in reverential terms as being a peerless soloist in this early morning symphony of sounds is the Nightingale - Luscinia megarhynchos.

Last Updated on Sunday, 16 May 2010 19:32
 

Los Llanos de Libar - A Land of Reptiles, Amphibians & Mole Crickets

Fire Salamander10km southwest of Ronda, (as the Griffon Vulture flies), near the eastern edge of the Sierra Grazalema Natural Park in Andalucia lies the Llanos de Libar, an area of karst at the head of a limestone valley. Amongst other things it is a great area for reptiles and amphibians, so with that in mind we headed for the village at the gateway to the Llanos de Libar, Montejaque.

The drive beyond the little village of Montejaque, up through the valley that divides the Sierra de Juan Diego & the Sierra de Montalate, is fantastic for bird watching with Rock Buntings, Stonechats, Black-eared Wheatear (black throated race), Woodchat Shrikes, & Short-toed Eagles all easily visible from the comfort of the car.

Last Updated on Monday, 15 June 2009 19:50
 

Garganta Verde in the Sierra de Grazalema

The view from the bottom of Garganta VerdeAs part of our week at the end of August with Clive & Sue (of  The Grazalema Guide and Wildside Holidays) we had permits for a visit to 'La Garganta Verde"' a “must do” for the more adventurous visitors to the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park.
The 'Garganta Verde' is a 400metre deep, limestone gorge with a Griffon Vulture colony at the top, 'La Ermita' a pink cave at the bottom and dramatic landscape at all points in between.

Last Updated on Friday, 28 November 2008 23:37
 



Holidays and Fieldtrip anouncements.

Insects of Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly, the new book by Steve Jones is on sale now!