Walking around St Erth in spring the blue of native bluebells is abundant in the hedgerows,river banks,footpaths and lanes and frogs andtoads can often be spotted along Green Lane.
Through the year the early purple marsh orchidand foxgloves appear along with the floweringhawthorn,blackthorn (its fruit is used in themaking of sloe gin),and blackberry.Their flowers along with those of nettles,honeysuckle,campion and buddleia attract thepeacock,tortoiseshell,cabbage white and redadmiral.The six spotted burnet moth which isactive during summer days can be seen feedingon scabious,bird’s-foot trefoil,vetch and clover,and is easily identified by its dark green wingswith vibrant red spots.Honey bees from theirhives near the river are always busy collectingpollen and nectar to take back to their hives.The resulting honey is collected from their hivesby Jenny and sold in the village shop.During the day often visible are heron,little egret and buzzard and in thesummer visitors include the chiffchaff,house martin,swallow,swift,wagtailand redstart.
Listen out for the cuckoo,woodpecker,reed warbler and at duskin the summer the sound of the rooks,crows and starlings gathering to roost,later hear the barn and screech owland the blackcap is now a frequentvisitor to St Erth Pits.An evening strollalong the riverbank is accompanied bypipistrelle bats rushing around,thereis also a rare chance of a glimpse of anotter looking for a meal of brown troutand eel.Tell Cornwall Council if you see:Japanese knotweed or Ragwort.
Download the St Erth Family Activity Trail – a great way to explore St Erth and the countryside of the Parish.