A blog and photo journal about the natural history of north-west England and beyond
Padley Gorge, Derbyshire One of our favourite springtime walks. On a quiet day in mid-May its not too difficult to imagine Ents roaming the ancient Oak & Birch woodland. The almost mystical atmosphere is further enhanced by the waterfalls and presence of the uncommon Redstart Read More …
A few highlights from a visit to Arnside Knott Pearl bordered Fritillary. The earliest of the fritillaries to emerge and typically found in woodland clearings and at Arnside Knott – rough, south facing hillsides. Highly threatened it’s unlikely to be confused with any of Read More …
Herb Paris or The True Lover’s Knot. Following a morning wandering amongst the slopes of Arnside Knott a few highlights from a far too brief visit to Gait Barrows with the Herb Paris close to the entrance being the star of the show. Unfortunately Read More …
A woodland floor carpeted with Bluebells always a wonderful sight. The intricate beauty of the Bluebell’s flower is easy to miss in the wider spectacle. Lit by a shaft of sunlight piercing through the woodland canopy bluebells were said to ring when fairies were summoning their Read More …
Always a pleasure to visit the local woodlands during Spring even more so when there’s a walk along the riverbank to reach them. Locally the Grey Herons appear to be thriving and in common with many of the other birds typically associated with river valleys they Read More …
A sunny day with a cool breeze still blowing we woke up early and enjoyed a relaxing walk around Studland Beach before heading inland to look for Sand Lizards. The warm, shallow waters of Studland Bay appear to support several non-native species with Solier’s Red Read More …
More catching up from September’s visit to Dorset and an area close to Puddletown, part of Thomas Hardy’s Egdon Heath. Despite the chilly breeze a surprising number of insects around with the predatory Red Darter and Common Lizard hoping to take advantage. With Higher Read More …
Another superb area of ancient woodland and chalk meadows hidden away in the Chilterns near Henley-on-Thames. Unfortunately the few photographs below don’t really record just what a wonderful nature reserve this is. With our visit taking place in early summer the combination of thin, chalky soil Read More …
Sadly the Monkey Orchid is one of our most threatened species restricted to 3 sites with 2 of them being in Kent and 1 at Hartslock Nature Reserve in south Oxfordshire. First recorded in Kent during the 18th century the ploughing up of chalk Read More …