England · five wildlife sites

Nature reserves & wildlife sites in Cornwall

Explore these places for wildlife in Cornwall. Seasonal notes suggest when to look; sightings are not guaranteed.

01 / 05

Windmill Farm

Near Lizard village.

Habitat: Lowland heathland and grazing pasture with ponds and shallow seasonal pools.
Wildlife to look for: Cuckoo (spring and early summer), grasshopper warbler (spring and summer), sedge warbler (spring and summer), snipe (winter) and woodcock (winter).

02 / 05

Near Bodmin.

Habitat: Ancient oak woodland with sunny woodland rides and a tributary of the River Fowey.
Wildlife to look for: Roe deer, nuthatch, marsh tit, spotted flycatcher (summer) and silver-washed fritillary butterfly (summer, particularly July).

03 / 05

Near Bodmin, near Lanivet.

Habitat: A varied landscape of heathland, bog, grassland, scrub and ancient and wet woodland.
Wildlife to look for: Adder (warmer months), stonechat, cuckoo (spring and early summer), grasshopper warbler (spring and summer) and marsh fritillary butterfly (late spring and early summer).

04 / 05

Near Looe.

Habitat: An offshore island with woodland, coastal grassland, shingle beaches and surrounding rocky reefs.
Wildlife to look for: Grey seal, cormorant, shag, oystercatcher and great black-backed gull.
Access note: Visits are by official organised boat trips only, normally from around Easter to the end of September.

05 / 05

Near Week St Mary, near Bude.

Habitat: Rare, flower-rich wet grassland with shallow pools and remnants of heathy moorland.
Wildlife to look for: Marsh fritillary butterfly (late spring and early summer), marbled white butterfly (summer), golden-ringed dragonfly (summer), skylark and roe deer.