A blog and photo journal about the natural history of north-west England and beyond
Shapwick Heath is a superb National Nature Reserve but ridiculously busy – even during the week. A bit of local knowledge would have been useful I suspect its one of those areas that rewards regular visitors who’ve got the time and knowledge to escape the Read More …
A quick recap of this year’s hunt to see all our native reptiles whilst waiting for my arm to heal (using binoculars and cameras whilst suffering from a broken arm isn’t advisable.) The Lizards Sand Lizard (male) at Higher Hyde Heath Sand Lizard (male) at Read More …
In addition to the Dragonflies, Butterflies, Birds and heathland flora the main attraction at Higher Hyde Heath is the healthy population of the elusive Sand Lizard. Although I’ve been fortunate enough to see them before at Arne and closer to home at Ainsdale, they’ve been Read More …
A great area of chalk downland managed by the National Trust next to the SW Coast Path -close to Langton Matravers. Beneath the downland this part of the “Jurassic Coast” has a long history of quarrying. Although originally this must have been an incredibly destructive Read More …
Currently there’s thought to be 46 colonies of the European Wall Lizard within the UK with the majority being old quarries and south facing sea-cliffs on the Dorset and Sussex coast. Native to most of Europe scientific evidence and historical records suggest the closest they Read More …
Restricted to the Dorset Heathlands, parts of Surrey and closer to the home the sand-dunes of Formby, the Sand Lizard is the rarest of the UK’s native lizards. Fortunately they’re relatively common at the RSPB’s nature reserve at Arne. Apparently the resident Kestrels successfully raise Read More …
A bit of a catch up from a few weeks ago, 19th August to be precise. With it being a reasonably warm but breezy summer’s day we headed off down the M56 and A49 to Shropshire. Ideally I was hoping we’d catch up with the Read More …
After the recent downpours the weather gods finally smiled upon us and we decided to really push our luck and head up north to Leighton Moss. Leighton Moss is a deservedly popular RSPB reserve located in one of the most wildlife rich areas of the Read More …