Cornwall’s unique diversity of landscapes makes it the perfect home for an exceptional array of insects, mammals, and sea creatures. From rare butterflies to basking sharks, and wild horses to grey seals, Cornwall has it all. Here are just some of the wonderful wildlife species you may be lucky enough to spot during your upcoming visit to Cornwall…

Marvellous Marine Creatures

Visitors flock to Cornwall year after year to discover our fascinating range of marine animals. Grey Seals are a common sight around the Cornish coast, with key watch points including Pendennis, Godrevy Point, Trevose Head and Pentire Point. Common Dolphins are regularly spotted in the waters around Padstow and Port Isaac, with occasional sightings of Harbour Porpoise, Bottlenose and Risso’s Dolphins. Whales have also become frequent visitors to Cornish waters in recent years, with Orcas, Humpback Whales, and Minke Whales being seen. Be sure to look out for the Basking Sharks, as well as the occasional Leatherback Turtle, too!

Brilliant Birdlife

Cornwall’s diverse habitats are home to an amazing collection of birdlife, with something different to see throughout the year. Discover many species of seabirds including the Herring Gull, Fulmar, Shearwater, Gannet and Sandpiper residing in Cornwall’s beaches and dunes; waders and wildfowl such as Curlews, Whimbrels, Dunlin, Wigeon and Teal that live in tidal estuaries along the Cornish coasts; woodland species including Treecreepers, Woodpeckers and Nuthatches that nestle in the trees; and birds of prey such as Common Buzzards, Kestrels, Barn Owls, Red Kites, Goshanks, and Peregrine Falcons as they soar through the skies. Not to mention our county bird, the Chough!

Magnificent Mammals

You can spot some of the UK’s most sought-after mammals here in Cornwall. River otters, also known as river dogs, can be found throughout the county, feasting on juicy eels, freshwater fish, frogs, and crustaceans. Wild ponies can often be seen on the cliff tops and are useful in keeping back bracken and encouraging wildflowers to grow – Bodmin Moor is a great place to spot them. Our wonderful county is home to a variety of deer species, including Fallow, Roe, and Red Deer; with the once extinct Beaver recently making a comeback, thanks to an exciting project at Woodland Valley Farm to reintroduce them back into the wild.

Interesting Insects

Finally, Cornwall is also home to an exciting plethora of beautiful butterflies, with many rare species making an appearance. The extremely rare Silver-Studded Blue and Dark Green Fritillary Butterflies can be found in Cornish dune systems, as well as common Peacock, Red Admiral, Comma and Small Tortoiseshell Butterflies. Great places to spot our beautiful butterflies include the Upton Towans and Penhale Dunes Nature Reserves.

Discover Cornwall’s Wonderful Wildlife at The Beeches Glamping

Our glorious glamping site is situated just 6 miles from Newquay and 8 miles from Truro, providing an ideal base for exploring all of Cornwall. Our four luxury glamping pods fill up fast for the autumn season.

Click here to book your amazing autumn escape at The Beeches Glamping today!