A blog and photo journal about the natural history of north-west England and beyond
Badbury Rings. A superb example of an Iron Age hillfort and a scheduled ancient monument Badbury Rings has survived as chalk downland largely unchanged for the past 2500 years. In early August the sun-drenched banks are a haven for insects with shelter to be found Read More …
A couple of horses at the entrance to Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Kilwood Coppice. Normally found grazing in an adjacent field somebody had left the gate open and the horses decided the grass is greener on the other side. With areas of coppiced woodland, heathland, bogs 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 …
Another scorcher and a wander around Studland whilst the family were enjoying the beach. The dry, sandy heathland combined with the scents of the various flowering plants and the sea are strangely reminiscent of the Mediterranean. Further down the slope and a shallow valley open up to a number of Read More …
Sand Lizard (female) A few photographs from a far too brief visit to Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Higher Hyde Heath reserve in late July. Black Darter (female) One of several also plenty of the blue males around. In general compared to previous years far fewer Dragonflies Read More …
Ringlet, Higher Hyde Heath A quick trip up the road whilst staying in Dorset to Higher Hyde Heath. Mid July 28C we didn’t expect to see a lot however there’s always something to be found. Gatekeeper The sheer number of Butterflies was astounding with the Read More …