Northwest nature and history

Yew, the Death Tree

The Yew, Taxus baccata, is one of only three coniferous species (trees that bear cones and needles instead of leaves) which are native to the British isles, the others being the Scots Pine, Pinus sylvestris, and the Juniper, Juniperus communis. The ‘Death tree’ It is most famously found in the country’s graveyards and the groundsContinue reading “Yew, the Death Tree”

Ermine Moth Colonies

There are eight species of Ermine moth in the British isles with the Bird Cherry Ermine which, as you might have guessed, prefers Cherry trees, being the most common, the adult moths can look very similar and some can only be differentiated by the food plants they are found feeding upon. Explodes in numbers EveryContinue reading “Ermine Moth Colonies”

The Heather on the Moors

Three main species of heather There are three main species of plants which fall under the collective name of ‘heather’ and can be found growing on the uplands of the British isles. All three are native and evergreen, with Bell heather and Cross-leaved heather flowering from June to September, and the more plentiful Common heather,Continue reading “The Heather on the Moors”

The Brown Hawker

The Brown Hawker, Aeshna grandis is one of our largest dragonflies, it is also one of the commonest and most widely distributed, frequently seen throughout the British isles up to the limits of its range in the north of Scotland, the southwest and Ireland. Appearance It is a very distinctive looking dragonfly with chocolate brownContinue reading “The Brown Hawker”

The Elusive and Exotic Bee Orchid

The Bee Orchid Elusive and seemingly from a more tropical climate, the Bee Orchid, Ophrys apifera, (Ophrys meaning ‘eyebrow’, referring to the furry edges of the petals and apifera meaning bee), can be a bit of a surprising plant to find growing in the north of England. Unusual Orchid It is a very unusual orchid,Continue reading “The Elusive and Exotic Bee Orchid”

Bridges over the river Hodder; The Collapse of the Old Suspension Bridge at Whitewell

The Old Suspension Bridge at Whitewell was constructed in the 1800s for the use of shooting and fishing parties staying at the Inn at Whitewell and was about 35 yards long with a wooden deck and railings which were supported by iron girders suspended from cables. It stood about 12ft above the water on aContinue reading “Bridges over the river Hodder; The Collapse of the Old Suspension Bridge at Whitewell”

Devils-Bit Scabious

Devils- bit scabious Succisa pratensis, is found throughout the British isles on unimproved grasslands such as those found along established hedgerows, wasteland, meadows and pastures. Violet, globe-shaped flowers It has pretty, globe-shaped flowers which come in a variety of shades of blue from navy through to violet, and is in bloom from around June toContinue reading “Devils-Bit Scabious”

The Tosside Tragedy

Here is an article about a tragic aircrash that happened 73 years near the Yorkshire village of Tosside, it is still talked about locally but little known outside of the area. Aircrash near Tosside 73 years ago the Yorkshire countryside around the tiny farming village of Tosside was shaken by a tragic disaster that remainsContinue reading “The Tosside Tragedy”