In January 1995 a snowstorm hit the North of England causing chaos in some parts of the region. Six people lost their lives in the ferocious blizzards, which were much earlier and more severe than forecast, villages and farms were cut off and thousands were stranded unable to make their way home. At the timeContinue reading “Skiing for Sheep, Chapter One”
Author Archives: Northwest nature and history
Birds recorded in our garden throughout 2024
This is a list of birds seen in our front and back gardens throughout 2024, in 2025 I aim to write about every species on this list, the blue text links to species I’ve already written about, not all photos taken in garden. Woodpigeon Columba palumbus Various, very often 1x pair + 2x fledglings HousesparrowContinue reading “Birds recorded in our garden throughout 2024”
Morecambe Bay’s Cockles
‘From Silverdale to Kent sand side, Whose soil is sown with cockle shells’From Cartmel eke, and Connyside, With fellows fierce from Furness fells’ The expansive sands of Morecambe Bay cover over 120 square miles and from their muddy creeks and channels, where flounder abound, to the sandy, silty flats where fields of shellfish can beContinue reading “Morecambe Bay’s Cockles”
The Bold Otter
Otters, Lutra lutra, are making a big comeback in the Northwest, being seen more and more on rivers, streams and ponds where they haven’t been seen for generations. Previously only spotted on our main rivers like the Ribble and Wyre numbers seem to have climbed recently and this is a good sign that they findContinue reading “The Bold Otter”
Dalehead Chapel
Dalehead Chapel or St James’ is a very picturesque and sylvanian-appearing church set in Gisburn forest on the road from Tosside to Keasden, its present construction dates from the 1930’s when it was moved and rebuilt from its original location serving the village of Stocks-in-bowland which was flooded to make Stocks reservoir. It was originallyContinue reading “Dalehead Chapel”
The Farming Series
A collection of some of my farming themed articles Most, if not all, of my articles are connected in some way to farming, after all everything in life is in some way, these are some I’ve picked out which are more directly connected. Yain Tain Tethera. A look at the ancient method of counting sheepContinue reading “The Farming Series”
Waxcaps, the Jewels of the Pastures
Waxcaps are attractive looking grassland fungi found at biodiverse sites, those that are rich in flora and fauna species. They earn their common name by way of their shiny, waxy-looking caps which, depending on the species, come in a wide variety of colours ranging from red, orange, yellow through to green, there is even oneContinue reading “Waxcaps, the Jewels of the Pastures”
Getting it Right for Grouse, this thought-provoking piece by Patrick Laurie looks at the controversies and facts of Grouse moors
“Ninety five percent of people who oppose grouse shooting have never been on a grouse moor and have no first-hand experience of moorland management”.… Getting it Right for Grouse
Northwest Nature and History 