A blog and photo journal about the natural history of north-west England and beyond
With colonies now established widely along the channel coast there’s currently thought to be around 20,000 Wall Lizards in southern England. With the quarries dotted along the Jurassic Coast being exposed to the sun all day long and protected from severe frost the conditions are Read More …
A few highlights from a stroll along Scratch Arse Ware to Seacombe Cliff. With a stiff breeze blowing in from the south-west despite the sunshine a bit cool in the more exposed areas. However, with Meghan in fine form chasing a ball soon warmed me Read More …
One of our favourite areas along the South-West Coast path the stretch west of Durlston Country Park taking in the outskirt of Langton Matravers and Scratch Arse Ware is a superb area of meadows, sea-cliffs and former quarries. Supposedly on the increase the distinctive Roesel’s Read More …
A few highlights from a superb walk along the south-west coastal path close to Langton Matravers in Dorset. Plenty of Wheatears to be found with the drystone walls and bales of straw proving popular spots. Also a Roe Deer in one of the quarries, numerous Painted Ladies and a Kestrel. Read More …
Highlights from a walk along the Jurassic Coast close to Langton Matravers back in September (seems a long time ago). The many disused quarries are a real magnet for migrating birds with Wheatears finding them especially attractive. The coastal quarries also contain several colonies of Read More …
With up to 80 separate populations across southern England the Wall Lizards are far more mobile and active than either the Common or Sand Lizard. In our normally cool, damp climate they’re restricted to sun drenched rock faces and cliffs. Certainly wouldn’t last long in Read More …
A stunning specimen of Viper’s Bugloss one of several found on route to a disused quarry on the Purbeck coast. One look at the deeply fractured rocks was more than sufficient to persuade me that entering the former quarry wouldn’t be the wisest of Read More …
A Wall Lizard enjoying the remains of a discarded barbecue. Released many years ago this colony has become naturalised and appears to be thriving in one of the many quarries found on the Dorset coast. Wall Lizard distracted by a fly before dashing into a Read More …
Italian Wall Lizard – Sorrento, Italy Strange to recall that the last Wall Lizards we’d seen were on the outskirts of Bournemouth. Great to finally catch up with their Italian relatives. In actual fact it was difficult to avoid them. Every wall and patch of Read More …