Wonder of the day The Merveille du jour Griposia aprilina, ‘wonder of the day’, is out and about at the moment. This attractive, black and white patterned, emerald green moth, reckoned as one of the most beautiful to be found in the British isles, is aptly named as it is a little wonder to behold.Continue reading “The Merveille du jour and some notes on moth-trapping”
Author Archives: Northwest nature and history
Bridges over the river Hodder; Cromwell’s Bridge
The elegant and enigmatic arches of Cromwell’s Bridge cross the river Hodder at Great Mitton and are all that remain of a bridge originally commissioned by Sir Richard Shireburne and other locals in 1561 to enable the Anglican parishioners of Mitton Church, which the Shireburn family also built, to cross the river to go toContinue reading “Bridges over the river Hodder; Cromwell’s Bridge”
Guelder Rose
In late summer our hedgerows begin to take on many different hues, from subtle coppers and ochres through to vivid ambers and crimson. One native species which really adds a punch to this autumnal palette is the Guelder Rose Vibernum opulus. Sometimes called the Dogberry the foliage of this hedge shrub develops into striking tonesContinue reading “Guelder Rose”
Belted Galloways
The Belted Galloway is a very hardy breed of beef cattle, traditionally from South-west Scotland, able to subsist on pastures which are too poor for other breeds of cattle. Smaller than other breeds you might see in the British countryside, like the red/brown Limousine or the black and white Friesian, they are similar in sizeContinue reading “Belted Galloways”
Northwest Recipes; Bilberry Charlotte
Bilberry Charlotte A little while ago I publishes an article about Bilberries, which are in season at the time of writing, here is a traditional recipe for a Bilberry Charlotte, which is basically a Bilberry pie with whipped cream on top. You can buy Bilberries frozen, fresh online from suppliers or if you are luckyContinue reading “Northwest Recipes; Bilberry Charlotte”
The Beefsteak Fungus
Beefsteak Fungus, Fistulina hepatica (Fistulina coming from the Latin Fistulosus, meaning ‘full of pipes’, and hepatica coming from the Greek word hepatikos, meaning ‘of the liver’) is also sometimes known as the Beefsteak Polypore, Ox Tongue Fungus and Liver Fungus. It is very common in some areas and highly regarded by connoisseurs of funghi, appearingContinue reading “The Beefsteak Fungus”
The Gardens of Gawthorpe Hall, by Rachel Pilling (I work here!)
Rachel Pilling, Site Supervisor, explores Gawthorpe Hall’s Victorian garden created by Sir Charles Barry in the 1850s. Famed for his work on the … The Gardens of Gawthorpe Hall
The Teasel
The Teasel, Dipsacus fullonum, is a tall, distinctive looking and handsome wildflower found throughout the British isles wherever nature has been given free reign to do whatever it likes, for this reason some refer to it not as a wildflower, but as a weed. In the first year of its growth it is a fairlyContinue reading “The Teasel”
Northwest Nature and History 