A blog and photo journal about the natural history of north-west England and beyond
A superb evening out on the Dorset heathlands. Nightjars at dusk close to Arne followed by Glow-worms at Hartland Moor. Unfortunately the photograph of a Nightjar will have to wait for another year. In late May/early June we normally see 2 or 3 male Nightjars Read More …
Mount Vesuvius from Pompeii Before the infamous eruption of AD79 a 6600ft high Volcano. Post AD79 4,203 ft. Unbelievable that a third of the mountain was literally blown 20 miles into the air complete with molten lava, pumice and the pyroclastic flow and boiling mud Read More …
Peacock butterfly nectaring on Willow catkins. In contrast to last month’s trip up north to Silverdale and Arnside on this occasion it was gloriously sunny. In fact, after 6 hrs in the sunshine I even managed to get slightly sunburnt. Great to see plenty of Read More …
Ainsdale late March 2013. A remarkable and ever changing landscape. Normally the location for a late Spring/Summer visit. On this occasion it was an opportunity to escape the maddening crowds of Formby. Red Velvet Mite One of the tiny insects normally dismissed as a “money Read More …
Scots Pine growing in the limestone pavement at Gait Barrows National Nature Reserve. The dry conditions result in Pines and Ash trees that typically grow extremely slowly. Naturally stunted many of these trees are several hundred years old. Primrose – the foodplant for the caterpillars Read More …
Scarlet Elf Cups amongst the moss covered debris on the woodland floor in Didsbury. 70mph winds, saturated ground and a few old favourites come crashing down. Thankfully the park authorities leave the shattered limbs in place helping to ensure there’s a plentiful supply of Read More …
Highlights from a walk along the Jurassic Coast close to Langton Matravers, Dorset. The common or British Wren at a former quarry. Roe Deer I’m unsure who was the more surprised me or the deer. Although relatively common at dawn or dusk I didn’t really Read More …
A mire on East Creech Heath complete with rafts of Sphagnum moss. Bog Beacon A saprotrophic, or recycler fungus growing on dead moss. Helps to fulfil a vital role in this area of nutrient deficient bog by breaking down the remains and releasing nutrients Read More …
Arne at dusk. A superb area for watching and listening to the amazing Nightjar. Unfortunately despite there being at least 3 birds flying around hawking for moths, churring and wing clapping it was just too dark to attempt a photograph. A real highlight of Read More …