Bude's Nature

Recent Wildlife Sightings (as reported to Bude TIC)

Wild Otter

Otters are shy and will quickly disappear beneath the water – but you may see their air bubbles.  Main food is fish, but they also eat birds and frogs.  Otters live in very clean water. Seen frequently since December 2009.  Most sightings toward Rodd's Bridge - Bude Canal.

Male Kingfisher

Easily identified due to their bright blue and orange colour.  They fly rapidly and low over still water to hunt fish.  Kingfishers are sensitive to pollution. Often seen early morning along the Canal, mainly at Rodds Bridge.

Grey Heron

Frequently seen at the wetland marshes and Canal, standing silently at the water's edge hunting for fish.

Mute Swan

Our pair of swans died early this year, but this picture shows the new Mute Swan which arrived in March 2010.

Dragonfly

 Little Egret

First appeared in the UK in significant numbers in 1989 and small numbers have been seen at Bude Marshes. 

Cormorant

Our Cormorants are often seen standing with their wings held out along the reed bed of Bude Canal. They are supreme fishers.

Swallow 

Swallows are found in areas where there is a ready and accessible supply of small insects.  The Bude Canal and Marsh make excellent habitat.

Report a wildlife sighting 

To log your nature sighting, you will need the location grid reference.  Use the OS website to find this.