A blog and photo journal about the natural history of north-west England and beyond
Early Marsh Orchid, Barlow Tip – the most widespread and variable marsh orchid. Southern Marsh Orchid at Kenworthy Wood. Closely related to the Early Marsh Orchid with hybrids being relatively common. In general the hybrids tend to be stronger growing than the species and can Read More …
River Mersey close to Chorlton Water Park A new dawn arrives. Mid February we’re still in lockdown but I’ve been jabbed and finally it feels like winter is beginning to lose its grip. Mica inkcaps in Kenworthy Wood The first daffodils appearing in Kenworthy Wood. Read More …
19th January 2021 – a bit wet, nothing to worry about. 20th January – hmmm……… still raining, Storm Christoph approaching and where’s the footpath and lower bank? Can’t recall the River Mersey ever being so high next to Chorlton Water Park. Hopefully the Bailey Bridge Read More …
An Autumn dawn approaching over Chorlton Water Park. “Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness” …….fairly clear that John Keats wasn’t from Manchester. If he had been I doubt his description would have been quite so romantic. Still great to see the Autumn Crocus appearing along Read More …
The Gatekeeper, Mersey valley close to Chorlton Water Park. Following local pressure the Env Agency have listened and reduced the maintenance of several sections of the river bank to one late summer cut per year. In summer the most obvious result is the huge increase in the number of butterflies. Read More …
Meadow Brown, along the banks of the River Mersey close to Chorlton Water Park. With the easing of the lockdown we’ve really been looking forward to getting out a bit more. However a casual flick of the wrist and a walk along the banks of Read More …
Unsure if it was just nerves but definitely not going quietly …. a bit of reassurance and they were off. Read More …
A beautiful, peaceful morning in mid April. Cold, misty and with the sun just about breaking above the horizon the promise of another glorious day. The contrast with the horror of the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic could hardly be stronger. Read More …
The amazingly warm hazy days of April 2005 continue. A great opportunity for an early morning visit to Chorlton Water Park. Since 2008 the South Manchester Ring necked Parakeets have steadily increased from around 7 birds to 70. Still some way to go to rival Read More …