PHILLIP’S Point Nature Reserve is the second smallest of Cornwall’s reserves.

At two hectares and 265 metre from north to south, it covers a narrow coastal strip straddling the South West Coastal Footpath and Marine Drive just north of Widemouth.

Rennie Bere purchased the site in 1983 and gave it to Cornwall Wildlife Trust. Since then, no dedicated survey of its flora and fauna has been made.

Most people who walk the South West Coast Path will pass through in a couple of minutes and apart from seeing the lush coastal flowers and occasional passing bird will give little thought to what else may be there.

Bude Marshes Survey Group first visited the reserve in 2015 to establish a baseline survey and recorded 49 species.

These comprise 32 flowering plants and nine birds with a butterfly, a moth, a ladybird and evidence of moles and slowworm.

The group’s second visit in May by four surveyors this year added to this total. The group recorded an additional four bird species, nine flowering plants and a couple of snail species.

The group now has 65 species of flora and fauna recorded on this tiny oasis perched on the Atlantic cliffs.