A blog and photo journal about the natural history of north-west England and beyond
Great to return to East Creech and the wonderful DWT Kilwood Nature Reserve. Located at the edge of the chalk ridge that runs through the Isle of Purbeck the reserve backs onto Norden Heath and was formerly used as an area of coppiced woodland. Actually Read More …
Sika Deer grazing the marsh close to Middlebere Farm. Really encouraging to see a relatively large herd. Over the years the numbers of deer appear to have declined in response to over zealous control measures. Fortunately the National Trust appear to be taking a more Read More …
A few highlights from Norden Heath taken back in August (seems a long time ago now). The roadside verges around East Creech and the various footpaths leading down to the heath are one of the best areas in the country for the relatively uncommon Nettle-leaved Bellflower. Whilst the ones along the woodland edge have suffered from grazing by the local deer the plants growing along the roadside verge are spectacular. Read More …
Woorgreens Nature Reserve – adjacent to Speech House Woodlands in the Forest of Dean. Great to see nature slowly reclaiming a former, open-cast coal mine. A deceptively quiet site that I suspect would be better appreciated with more regular visits and on-site interpretation. Containing Read More …
Highlights from a recent birthday surprise and a visit to the Lake District. Few better places to wake up than on the shores of Derwentwater with the snow-capped fells in the background. Following breakfast we headed south and through the rapidly melting snowfields to Ullswater Read More …
Far too long since I updated the blog but now British Summertime is officially over there’s a chance to catch up with a few highlights from earlier on in the year. Spike our regular Hedgehog has continued to visit every evening and in late summer was joined by Read More …
Spotted Flycatcher close to the entrance to the Boquer valley. The final post from from a fantastic couple of weeks in Mallorca. Having enjoyed a browse around Puerto Pollensa we decided to walk back to the hotel along the seafront before crossing over by the Read More …
Adult male (Billy Goat) casually enjoying a death-defying wander in the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range. Located in the north western corner of Mallorca Puerto Pollensa is dominated by the mountains to the north with a relatively easy trail extending out of town and into 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 …