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Species Focus

Fieldfare

Species Focus - Fieldfare (Turdus pilaris)

01 Nov 2025

Species Focus November

The Fieldfare (Turdus pilaris) is the larger and more colourful of the two thrush species which are winter visitors to Wales. It is about the same size as a Mistle Thrush, but can be distinguished from this species by its blue-grey head, chestnut-brown back, yellowy-orange streaked breast and heavy spotting on the flanks. The remainder of the underparts are white. In flight, it shows a light grey ...

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Portuguese Man O'War © David Pitcher
Species Focus October

Species Focus - Hydrozoans

Many of us will soon be inviting or visiting relatives for various celebrations coming up. At this time of yea...

01 Oct 2025

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© Richard Vandersteen
Species Focus September

Species Focus - Common Haircap (Polytrichum commune)

Polytrichum commune is a widespread and familiar sight, forming sizable patches of miniature dark green forest...

01 Sep 2025

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© Susan Hughes
August Species Focus

Species Focus - Puss Moth (Cerura vinula) and Sycamore (Acronicta aceris) Caterpillars

Most moth records we receive at Cofnod are of adults, typically caught alive in specialised light traps. This ...

01 Aug 2025

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© David Hill
July Species Focus

Species Focus - Sea Slater (Ligia oceanica)

Looking like a Woodlouse on steroids, the Sea Slater (Ligia oceanica) is an impressively large (3 cm) European...

01 Jul 2025

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Two Red-and-black Froghoppers on a blade of grass
June Species Focus

Species Focus - Red and Black Froghopper (Cercopis vulnerata)

The Hemiptera are a large and ancient order of insects, traceable back to the Palaeozoic. They are colloquiall...

01 Jun 2025

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© Jan Sheppard
May Species Focus

Species Focus - 10-spot Ladybird (Adalia decempunctata)

Ladybirds are colourful beetles in the family Coccinellidae, from the Latin for ‘scarlet’, presumably in refer...

01 May 2025

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A Tawny Owl mother and juvenile in a tree
April Species Focus

Species Focus - Tawny Owl (Strix aluco)

The Tawny Owl is the commonest owl species in Britain, and can be found in any fairly well-wooded area, in the...

01 Apr 2025

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© Susan Hughes
March Species Focus

Species Focus - Hares and Rabbits

Rabbits and brown hares are both introduced non-native species that are a valuable part of our now extremely d...

01 Mar 2025

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© Paul Brazier
February Species Focus

Species Focus - Carrageen (Chondrus crispus)

Take a trip to the lower shore, or before you get there, look in some rockpools on the midshore, and you will ...

01 Feb 2025

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On the Record

On the Record is our monthly online newsletter. It's full of interesting information about local wildlife recording, including that month's events and what to look out for in our Species Focus feature. Subscribe now to get next month's issue .