A blog and photo journal about the natural history of north-west England and beyond
More catching up from September’s visit to Dorset and an area close to Puddletown, part of Thomas Hardy’s Egdon Heath. Despite the chilly breeze a surprising number of insects around with the predatory Red Darter and Common Lizard hoping to take advantage. With Higher Read More …
Despite its tiny size this unusual fungi is unmistakeable in the dark shady areas of Dorset’s mires and bogs. Feeding off the remains of mosses and algae the fruiting bodies emerge from the depths to be held just above the water. This particular group was Read More …
The English Sundew the largest of our 3 native sundews at Spur Bog, Studland. With a preference for calcium rich soil, the underlying sand complete with the remains of millions of tiny seashells, allows the wetter areas of Spur Bog to provide the ideal conditions Read More …
Great Sundew There can’t be too many other areas of England where you can find all 3 of our native Sundews growing together in the same bog. The long strap shaped leaves and short flower stalk help to identify this one as the Great or Read More …
A mire on East Creech Heath complete with rafts of Sphagnum moss. Bog Beacon A saprotrophic, or recycler fungus growing on dead moss. Helps to fulfil a vital role in this area of nutrient deficient bog by breaking down the remains and releasing nutrients Read More …
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 …
Highlights from a vist to Malham Tarn Moss. Definitely one of the better National Nature Reserves. Due to the areas geology and high rainfall the moss has areas of both sphagnum moss bog and fen. This leads to an extremely rich flora. In addition Read More …
The highlight of a quick return to Highfield Moss. In addition to being the north-west’s only remaining stronghold for Marsh Gentians there’s also rumoured to be some isolated specimens of Petty Whin. Hopefully one day I’ll be able to find them ! Round-leaved Sundew Read More …
Another day of sunshine and torrential downpours. Spear Thistles growing at the edge of one of the fields of Barley between “The Travellers Rest” and Highfield Moss. Young Meadow Grasshopper on Purple Moor Grass Marsh Gentian protesting about the lack of sunshine. The Read More …