Humpback whale, image by Rupert Kirkwood
Seasonal Spotter's Guide: January
With the absence of summer crowds, January is a perfect time to connect with nature in Cornwall. If you look to the skies, this time of year is fantastic for birdwatchers, and our coastlines are a haven for marine life enthusiasts, and nature lovers alike.
Take a look below at some of January's highlights!
©Andrew Parkinson/2020VISION
Waders
January sees many species of wading birds flock to our estuaries, foraging for tasty molluscs, crustaceans and worms in the nutrient-rich mud. Species to look out for are the golden plover, which can number in their thousands, or smaller species such as the dunlin, ringed plover or sanderling. You may see curlews take to the skies as they travel between their feeding and resting sites twice a day. And over on our rocky shores you may spot turnstones and purple sandpipers foraging in all the nooks and crannies.
Take a look at our species guides for a more detailed view of each species.
Lapwing, Image by David Longshaw
Lapwing
Flocks of lapwings reach their peak in Cornwall this month and can be seen over lakes, estuaries and wetlands. Listen out for their distinctive “peewit” call or keep an eye out for their broad, rounded wingtips in flight. At a distance, lapwings appear black and white, but if you’re lucky enough to spot one up-close, you’ll notice their green-purple iridescence. They’ll soon be making their northern migration to breed and by summer you won’t see them here in Cornwall.
Newly-laid frogspawn close up, Image by Rowena Millar
Frogspawn
You might think it’s still a bit cold for frogs and toads, but frogspawn starts appearing in January and February, especially when it's mild. Did you know? One clump of frogspawn can contain up to 2000 eggs but only 1 in 50 eggs will mature into an adult. Avoid moving any frogspawn between ponds, as this can spread disease.
Female Merlin on perch, Image by Rob Jordan/2020VISION
Birds of Prey
Due to the milder climate during winter here in Cornwall, our resident bird-of-prey species are joined by migrants from elsewhere in the UK as well as Europe, increasing your chances of spotting some remarkable raptors, such as hen harriers, short-eared owls, and the UK’s smallest raptor, the merlin.
Fox in Long Rock Garden. By Terry Newing
Red Fox
Foxes rigorously defend their territories in January, with breeding activity reaching it’s peak. They can be very vocal at this time of year, so you may hear their distinctive barking or screaming sounds, alerting others to their presence. You may be more likely to spot pairs out in the open, as the males will likely be distracted by following females around, eagerly awaiting the opportunity to mate.
Adrian Langdon
Humpback Whale
Humpbacks are making a comeback, and more and more are being seen along our coasts each year. In the UK they’re often spotted in pairs, so if you see one, have a look around for a second! You may see them “blow” as they exhale at the surface, which appears bushy and around 3m high, their 5m pectoral fins (front flippers), or them breaching clear of the water if you’re lucky! Their unique tail fluke patterns are like a fingerprint, allowing us to identify different individuals. Did you know: humpback whales perform some of the longest migrations of any mammal, with journeys of up to 16,000km!