A blog and photo journal about the natural history of north-west England and beyond
With colonies now established widely along the channel coast there’s currently thought to be around 20,000 Wall Lizards in southern England. With the quarries dotted along the Jurassic Coast being exposed to the sun all day long and protected from severe frost the conditions are Read More …
An unmistakeable male Sand Lizard foraging for insects on the edge of Higher Hyde Heath. Outside of the mating season the green flanks are far more subdued. Interesting to note the remains of her old skin still in the process of being shed. Another female Read More …
Female Common Darter at Arne One of the more widespread Dragonflies with a preference for small ponds and areas of stagnant water. Strong flying this one was found on the edge of an area of woodland resting on Bramble. Common Lizard, again at Arne. Found Read More …
Meadow Grasshoppers at Higher Hyde Heath. Can’t recall seeing a bright pink grasshopper before. Apparently the vivid pink is due to a genetic mutation known as erythrism. Perhaps unsurprisingly few pink grasshoppers survive to become adults. Female Sand Lizard Basking on one of the discarded Read More …
A short walk along the Priestway to Keates Quarry and an opportunity to see some 145 million year old footprints. Left by a group of Sauropods grazing by the side of a freshwater lagoon the footprints were discovered by a local quarryman back in 1997.
One of our favourite areas along the South-West Coast path the stretch west of Durlston Country Park taking in the outskirt of Langton Matravers and Scratch Arse Ware is a superb area of meadows, sea-cliffs and former quarries. Supposedly on the increase the distinctive Roesel’s Read More …
Sand Lizard, catching a few rays of afternoon sunshine at Studland Heath, Dorset Although Studland is renowned as being the best place in the country for Sand Lizards a sighting of Britain’s rarest reptile is far from guaranteed. Their cryptic markings are a superb camouflage Read More …
A young Common Lizard sunbathing close to the information hut/visitor centre at the RSPB’s Arne nature reserve. On a warm sunny afternoon in late August few other places I’d rather be than wandering through the lowland heath that lies adjacent to the millionaires playground of Read More …
A few highlights from a superb walk along the south-west coastal path close to Langton Matravers in Dorset. Plenty of Wheatears to be found with the drystone walls and bales of straw proving popular spots. Also a Roe Deer in one of the quarries, numerous Painted Ladies and a Kestrel. Read More …