Cliff tiger beetle

[Kymba]

The Cliff tiger beetle Cylindera germanica is a rare and magnificent beast. It is one of five species of tiger beetle in the UK, and is only found on the warm, south facing soft cliffs of Dorset, Devon and the Isle of Wight.
The Cliff tiger beetle is the cheetah of the insect world: with its long legs it speeds after prey before catching it in its large and rather fearsome jaws. The larvae are pit-predators and live in burrows in damp sand, where they lie in ambush for unsuspecting victims which are grabbed and pulled in to be eaten.

Has anyone seen one of these?
I have just been reading about this amazing beetle and wondered where I could go to be in with a slight chance of seeing one. Also what time of the year would be best to look??

[eucera]

I've seen plenty of them.

As the name suggests... coastal soft rock cliffs in the counties you have named covers all the sites I have seen them in. It can be very plentiful where it occurs.

It should be around right now... I have seen them in July and August too.

[Paul mabbott]

Cylindera (Cicindela) germanica is one of two green tiger beetles - the other (Cicindela campestris) is more common and can be found on most undisturbed heathland or sandy scrub.
You've mentioned likely places - the Gower is famous for several tiger beetles on different parts of its coast.
They are active throughout the summer.
As you note, the beetle and its habitat (pristine soft cliffs) are rare so care should be taken when searching for them.

[eucera]

The cliffs are also famously unstable and subject to serious landslippage after wet weather!