Wildlife to spot in Bude

In Bude, being situated on the Cornish coastline, you can expect to spot a variety of wildlife both on land and in the sea. Here are some examples:

Marine Life: Keep an eye out for seals and the occasional dolphin and basking shark in the waters off Bude’s coastline. You might also see seabirds like of the Cornish chough, gulls and cormorants.

Rock Pool Creatures: Explore the rock pools along the shore during low tide to discover a fascinating array of marine life such as crabs, anemones, sea stars, and small fish.

Birds: Bude’s coastal habitats attract various bird species. Look for seabirds like kittiwakes, razorbills, and fulmars along the cliffs, while inland areas might offer sightings of songbirds, raptors like kestrels and buzzards, and possibly even owls.

Butterflies and Insects: During the warmer months, you can see butterflies flitting about in meadows and gardens, along with bees, dragonflies, and other insects attracted to the coastal flora.

Wildflowers and Plants: Bude’s coastal landscapes are often adorned with colorful wildflowers like thrift, sea campion, and sea lavender. Inland areas might feature hedgerows filled with flowering plants and grasses.

Small Mammals: While larger mammals like deer are less common in coastal areas, you might still spot smaller mammals like rabbits, voles, and possibly hedgehogs in the surrounding countryside.

Reptiles and Amphibians: Look for reptiles like common lizards and slow worms basking in sunny spots, especially in more sheltered areas. You might also encounter frogs, toads, and newts near ponds and streams.

Remember to respect wildlife and their habitats by observing from a distance and not disturbing nesting sites or sensitive ecosystems.

What have you seen?

Have you ever spotted something rare or beautiful when visiting Bude? It is a brilliantly varied place to see wildlife, whether it is furred, feathered or finned. With our famously mild winters, you’ll also see many species year round here in north Cornwall, including some genuine rarities. There was a confirmed sighting of an extremely rare pine marten in 2014, a species previously thought to be extinct in the south west!

Keep your eyes peeled and a camera handy on your next visit.  Please do let us know what you’ve seen, so we can feature your find on this page!  There’s a handy form below to send your sightings, or simply email budetic@visitbude.info

Otter

Where to find me: On Bude Canal or the River Neet
Look out for: Paw prints and droppings by the water

Otters have made a huge comeback in the last decade or so, but with a shy nature they are not always easy to spot. Unmistakable in appearance (and sometimes large in the case of the male “dog” otter), your best chance to sight one is at night or during times of low light when old “Tarka” likes to go on the prowl. He might look cute, but the otter is a powerful predator that eats not only fish but amphibians and nesting birds.

Oyster Catcher

Where to find me: On a quiet, rocky beach
Look out for: A funky (and functional) red bill

Quite often spotted in breeding pairs in the summer, the coast around Bude is a great place to spot your first oyster catcher. The distinctive red bill of this pretty bird allows it to pry or break open its favourite meal: shellfish of various kinds.

Grey Seal

Where to find me: In quiet coves and rocky beaches
Look out for: The patterns on my coat, that are as unique as a fingerprint to each seal

Often seen in small colonies, grey seals are found in little pockets right along the coast of north Cornwall. You are most likely to spot them on quiet, wild beaches however, as they can be very wary of humans. Sometimes they will also mix with common seals, but the grey has a longer, broader snout and flatter head.

Basking Shark

Where to find me: In the open sea.
Look out for: A huge, dark shape!

Impressively big in size and weight, you are unlikely to ever see a larger living thing in British waters than the basking shark. In spite of the vast profile and mean looks however, these giants are completely harmless. By gliding along with their mouths open, these monsters gently take in all the food they need, filtering plankton through their gill rakers.

Bee Orchid

Where to find me: On the edges of Bude Marshes
Look out for: Visiting bees (they can’t resist me)

One of nature’s truly ingenious designs, the Bee Orchid has actually evolved bee-like hues on the flowers to attract the real thing for pollination. Velvety to the touch and with pink outer petals, it is a beautiful and hardy little plant. It thrives in wild grassland, especially near the coast.

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