Spiders
We will be adding photos of all the species we see over the coming months, if you have a nice shot you would like to share please get in touch
Long-jawed Orb-weaver (Shadow Stretch spider) photographed by Laura Fox 26/01/2014
Well done to Josh for spotting and catching this immature Long-jawed Orb-weaver - from the markings I am fairly certain it is Tetragnatha montana, sometimes nicknamed the Shadow Stretch-spider, another new species for the list! (Laura Fox)
Well done to Josh for spotting and catching this immature Long-jawed Orb-weaver - from the markings I am fairly certain it is Tetragnatha montana, sometimes nicknamed the Shadow Stretch-spider, another new species for the list! (Laura Fox)
Nursery Web spider photographed by Gary Barlow 11/08/13
This large spider is guarding the entrance to the web above which is an irregular shaped ball in which the eggs and young spiders stay, hence the name. (Gary Barlow)
This large spider is guarding the entrance to the web above which is an irregular shaped ball in which the eggs and young spiders stay, hence the name. (Gary Barlow)
Nursery Web spider 2 photographed by Helen Hawkey 25/01/2014
This small Nursery Web spider was found by Josh "Eagle eyes" Hawkey in the gorse at the far end of the marsh. (Gary Barlow)
This small Nursery Web spider was found by Josh "Eagle eyes" Hawkey in the gorse at the far end of the marsh. (Gary Barlow)
Orb spider Araneus angulatus photographed by Steve Jones 30/06/13
There were lots of Keeled Skimmers at Bell Lake Marsh and one provided a meal for perhaps the best find of the day, the orb spider Araneus angulatus. There were only 6 previous sites in Cornwall, although Brian & Elizabeth Jackson & I found it at Bell Lake Marsh together back in 1983 but didn't confirm the record.
"Nick's Spiders of Britain & Europe" website says this of Araneus angulatus: "This spider is rare in the UK and it is only found in counties bordering the south coast of England. It is very similar to Araneus diadematus but can be distinguished by the angular tubercles on the abdomen and the often asymetrical white markings at the center of the abdomen. The large orb web is often found on bushes and trees and often has support lines touching the ground. As a result the spider can feel the vibrations of a human walking past and will often immediately retreat to a safe corner of its web. The web is often built in a place commonly used by many flying insects, between two trees often provides a good source of insects". (Steve Jones)
There were lots of Keeled Skimmers at Bell Lake Marsh and one provided a meal for perhaps the best find of the day, the orb spider Araneus angulatus. There were only 6 previous sites in Cornwall, although Brian & Elizabeth Jackson & I found it at Bell Lake Marsh together back in 1983 but didn't confirm the record.
"Nick's Spiders of Britain & Europe" website says this of Araneus angulatus: "This spider is rare in the UK and it is only found in counties bordering the south coast of England. It is very similar to Araneus diadematus but can be distinguished by the angular tubercles on the abdomen and the often asymetrical white markings at the center of the abdomen. The large orb web is often found on bushes and trees and often has support lines touching the ground. As a result the spider can feel the vibrations of a human walking past and will often immediately retreat to a safe corner of its web. The web is often built in a place commonly used by many flying insects, between two trees often provides a good source of insects". (Steve Jones)