A blog and photo journal about the natural history of north-west England and beyond
I came across this rather sorry looking pigeon earlier on whilst taking the dog out. The way it’s chest has been plucked suggests the likely culprit is one of the local Sparrowhawks. We were intrigued to see the rings on both legs surely the local Read More …
A quick trip to the seaside. Parked up by the beach at another place home to Anthony Gormley’s Iron Men and took a stroll north towards Altcar. In 2007 there was a colony of approximately 140 Bee Orchids around the pumping station with many being Read More …
Results from a quick trip up to Nob End SSSI in Little Lever just outside of Bolton The site itself has quite an interesting history being a former industrial area responsible for the production of Soda ash for use in the local textile industry. The Read More …
Not a promising start. A quick look around the limestone pavement at Gait Barrows revealed that the mice, voles and rabbits had nibbled off all but one of the flower spikes from the Dark Red Helleborines. The one that remained was still to open up. Read More …
A glorious visit to one of the more regular haunts – Gait Barrows National Nature Reserve on the hottest day of the year. Whilst the south was sweltering up here it was just hot and with the morning’s showers very muggy. High Brown Fritillary Read More …
Finally got round to visiting Westhay Moor. Unfortunately due to the footpaths being strimmed the chances of seeing any Otters was pretty remote. Likewise most of the birdlife appeared to have flown. Fortunately there was plenty of Cetti’s, Reed Warblers and an unusual mixture of Read More …
Home to one of the most magnificent natural landscapes in the country, Cheddar Cheese and the Cheddar Pink. The area around the Gorge also contains Peregrine Falcon’s, Mountain Goats, Soay Sheep, a trout filled stream and a bizarre mixture of gift shops, showcaves and open Read More …
Headed out towards Berrow Dunes home to one of the few colonies of Lizard Orchids left within the country. It’s also home to Burnham on Sea Golf Course. Fortunately a public footpath cuts through the course fairly close to the orchid colony. And on the Read More …
Highlights from a recent visit to the only one of the Large Blue re-introduction sites open to the general public. A stunning area of sun-drenched chalk meadow on the side of a steep hill close to Street in Somerset. Pyramid Orchid Large Blue Butterfly Female Read More …
