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Wild Life

Wild life - here at the park, we have our own chickens and where possible we sell our own free range eggs in the reception. We also have 2 buzzards who live in our back field where the chickens are; and you can see them most days perching on the fence.

Butterfiles – the area surrounding boscrege is Godolphin warren where 29 species have been recorded around the area, with gems like the purple hairstreak and brimstones as well as the large skipper, small skipper and the silver washed fritillary.

We also at boscrege see a number of dragon flies and damselflies this is due to the man made ponds which were originally built to store water for the local mining industry in the area. Look out for Broad bodied chaser, the smaller beautiful demoiselle or the emerald damselfly.

We have large collection of badgers, hedge hogs (which visit the campers at night), the local fox and a huge variety of birds that pay us a visit regulary to our bird feeders situated around the site.

You can also sometimes here the two owls late at night who live in the trees by the reception.

Local area – Godolphin Warren – the hills moorland habitat supports the nationally scarce pale. Heath violet, purple moor grass, ling, bell heather, bilberry, European gorse and its smaller, more compact, autumn flowering cousin western gorse. The hill which is situated just outside the park, is a good place to look for green woodpeckers, warblers, night, nightjars and cuckoos. Buzzards and foxes might be seen preying on the rabbits. Also watch out; killers can be small as well – if you look carefully for longhorn bettles, green tiger bettles and heath assassins .

Ask at reception for our walking guide to the local area and coastal walks.

Local walks and Ancient Villages/Parishes to Boscrege Caravan & Camping Park:

1. Ancient village of Germoe

2. Breage

3. Ashton

4. Carleen

5. Godolphin Village and House (national trust)

6. Tregonning Hill

7. Rinsey Cove

8. Praa Sands

9. Great Work Mines

Wildlife in Cornwall & The Isles of Scilly

Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly offer a huge diversity of habitats for a wide variety of wildlife. Mammals of both land and sea, fascinating birds and plantlife, a wealth of marine animals and plants and a wonderful selection of invertebrates from beautiful butterflies and moths to the molluscs and crustaceans of rock pools and around the rugged coastline.

From the cliffs of the coast to wild moors, woods and forests, hedgerows, heathland and winding river valleys, Cornwall's natural environment is home to thousands of interesting animals and plants. Freshwater streams and rivers mingle with tidal rivers. Salt flats, reed beds and wetlands provide food and shelter for hundreds of birds.

The isle of scilly , situated 28 miles off Land's End, are designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Famous for birdwatching, the Islands are also home to the lesser white-toothed shrew, the only place in the UK with a population of these animals.

Wildlife finds a way of colonising and utilising even the harshest of environments. Remote rocky islands, even a rock outcrop, can be home to sea birds, seals, molluscs, crustaceans and a wide variety of plant life.

The invertebrates are well represented in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly with a range of insects: including rare butterflies and moths such as the Wood White butterfly and the Death's-head Hawk-moth; dazzling dragonflies and damsel flies; glow worms and a variety of bees, beetles and bugs.

Molluscs too are numerous, both salt and freshwater species, including clams, mussels, snails, slugs, limpets, cuttlefish, Common Periwinkles and Dog Whelks, while the crustaceans hold court over the coastline and rock pools with crabs such as the , lobsters, prawns and the tenacious barnacles who cling to the rocks found around the coast.

Marine animals from the smallest such as sponges, corals, By-the-wind Sailors and Jewel Anemones to large animals such as Bottlenose Dolphins, Grey Seals, Leatherback Turtles, Basking Sharks, Fin Whales and a wealth of sea fish including the unusual Ocean Sunfish can be seen around Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

Mammals such as badgers, hedgehogs, foxes, bats, dormice, voles and shrews, rabbits and squirrels can be found across Cornwall. Some woodlands are providing nesting facilities for dormice to encourage them to breed. Otters frequent streams and rivers in Cornwall and can be detected by their tracks and droppings known as spraint.

Reptiles and amphibians can be seen around Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly but can be rather shy. Snakes such as Adders and the Grass Snakes can sometimes be seen basking in the sun around the coastal path. Keep your eyes open and look ahead because if they hear you they will slither off and hide. If you detect them from a distance you can enjoy watching them curled up in the sun.

The Common Lizard may show himself emerging from a Cornish hedge or roadside verge, while Slow-worms often frequent gardens, hiding under wood or metal sheeting whose heat they enjoy, before hunting around for a juicy slug.

Common frogs and toads are found in many areas but they mostly hide themselves away so you need to know where to look. The exception to this is when they return to their home pond to spawn and during the period when the tadpoles have just become frogs. At this time it is possible to see hundreds of tiny frogs crossing roads and footpaths. Palmate newts and Smooth newts are also found in ponds around Cornwall but are not naturally present on the Isles of Scilly.

The plant life of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly is as diverse as its animal life. From trees and flowering plants to mosses, ferns, seaweeds and lichens.

Woodlands and hedgerows have carpets of Bluebells in late Spring. Spring and Summer see fields, cliff tops, hedgerows and roadside verges filled with masses of colourful wild flowers including cowslips, thrift, campions and mallows.

Many rare species of plants are found particularly in unique areas such as the Lizard Parninsula with its serpentine base. Cornish Heath is moreorless exclusive to the Lizard while Land Quillwort grows here and nowhere else in the British Isles. Yellow Centaury and Thyme Broomrape are more Lizard rarities.

Ancient woodlands of Oak can be visited which still support traditional plants and fungi.

Although mushrooms and toadstools occur in many seasons, the favourite time of the year to view the greatest number of species is Autumn. Cornwall's woods are alive with all manner of fungi from the Orange Peel fungus to Stinkhorns and Puff-balls.

Wildlife Reserves exist throughout Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Many of these have open access while others are set aside solely for the protection of their residents. Some sites have mixed access with restrictions in operation during certain times of the year. St Agnes on the north coast has a Voluntary Marine Conservation Area.

For more information on local wild life visit - www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk