Birds and Moths

 of Burnham-on-Sea

2005

• 16th July: The Sand Taodflax can now be seen in flower. This plant is only known to occur in the dunes at Berrow and Northam Burrows in Devon.
  
   
  
  Sand Toadflax, Berrow, 2005
  
  
• 24th April: There were 3 Harbour Porpoises seen off Berrow today, curiously three were sighted on the same day last year.

September 2004:

• 22nd-30th September: Hundreds of thousands of By-the-wind-sailors (Velella velella) have been washed ashore over the last few days.
  
  
  
  By-the-wind-sailors Velella velella, Berrow, 30th September 2004.
  
  
• 5th September: The first Clouded Yellow of the year was seen this morning at Berrow.

August 2004:

• 23rd August: The second Volucella zonaria of the year was seen today in the Sand Dunes at Berrow (see 24th July 2004).
  
  
• 7th August: The rarest plant to occur at Berrow is the Fine-leaved Rush (also called Somerset or Mediterranean Rush) juncus subulatus. This is the only site in Britain where it occurs,  and there is only one small area of it in the main reedbed.
  
  
  
  Fine-leaved Rush (Mediterranean Rush) juncus subulatus, Berrow, 8th August 2004.

July 2004:

• 24th July: This first ever record of the hoverfly Voluella zonaria was at Berrow this morning. Also the first Brown Argus of the year here.
  
  
  
  Brown Argus and Volucella zonaria, Berrow, 24th July 2004.
  
  
• 18th July: The Round-headed Clubrush scirpoides holoschoenus is now in flower at Berrow, albeit still not much to look at, it is however very rare and this is the only site in Somerset. It has been present for over one hundred years but never increased from this single clump. Also at Berrow is the Sharp Rush Juncus acutus, again this is the only site in the county but this is increasing here.
  
  
  
  Round-headed Clubrush and Sharp Rush, Berrow, July 2004

June 2004: 

• 20th June: Marbled White butterflies were on the wing today.
  
  
• 13th June: The first Ruddy Darters and Large Skippers of the year were seen this morning.
  
  
• 5th-7th June: Several butterfly species are now on the wing, including Meadow Brown, Wall Brown, Common Blue and Small Heath. New dragonflies for the year include Broad-bodied Chaser and Large Red Damselfly. But pride of place must go to the orchid display this year.
  
  
  
  Bee, Common Spotted and Lizard Orchids, Berrow, 8th June 2004
  
  
  
  
  Pyramidal and Southern Marsh Orchids, Berrow, 8th June 2004
  
  

May 2004: 

• 30th- 31st May: Today Red-eyed Damselfly was recorded at the same pond as last year, when it was new for the area. There are also lots of Hairy Dragonflies around the Golf course.
  
  
  
  Red-eyed Damselfly, Berrow, 31st May 2004.
  
  
  
  Male Hairy Dragonfly, Berrow, 31st May 2004.
  
  
• May 15th and 16th: A weekend of hot and sunny weather saw the emergence of the years first dragonflies. Azure Damselfly, Blue-tailed Damselfly and Hairy Dragonfly were seen.
  
  
  

April 2004:

• April 25th: Several Water Voles were seen this morning.
  
  
  
  Water Vole, Berrow, 25th April 2004.
  
  
• April 24th: A glorious day, with constant warm sunshine. There were 3 Harbour Porpoise seen off Berrow swimming towards Burnham this morning. Butterflies were abundant in the afternoon with Orange-tip, Brimstone, Green-veined White, Large White, Small White, Speckled Wood, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell and Holly Blue all recorded in the area.
  
  
• April 19th: A Harbour Porpoise was seen this evening in the Parrett Estuary.
  
  
• April 14th: The first Orange-tip and Holly Blue butterflies of the year were seen today in the warm sunshine.
  
  
• April 12th: At least 4 Water Voles showed well today.

March 2004:

Small Tortoiseshells, 30th March 2004.

• March 27th: Two Water Voles were seen today at Berrow, the first of the spring.
  
  
• March 13th: The warmth in the sunshine today saw butterflies on the wing with Small Tortoiseshell and the first Peacock of the year. Reported during the week were three Harbour Porpoise lingering off Burnham seafront.

January 2004:

• January 21st: The first butterfly of the year, a Small Tortoiseshell, was enjoying the unseasonably mild weather today.
  
  

Some of last years highlights:

This page will contain sightings and images of wildlife other than birds and moths. Below is a selection of what might be expected throughout the year.

Probable Essex Skipper, Berrow, July 2003.

 Ruddy Darter, Berrow, July 2003