Northwest nature and history

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”

Livestock Farming in Summer; a look at a few of the many jobs a livestock farmer has to do in the summer months

A year round job Farming is an all year round job, and whilst some of us might be leafing through holiday brochures, kitting out the camper van for an escape to the coast, or simply putting our feet up in the garden, farmers will be as busy as always in the summer months. Here areContinue reading “Livestock Farming in Summer; a look at a few of the many jobs a livestock farmer has to do in the summer months”

Swifts, a poem

The Swifts they are a-soaring,Very very high,Competing for the insects,Far up in the sky,Screaming and a-fighting,In the evening lighting,I wonder if what they seek to eat,If it tastes sour or if it’s sweet,Or if they care because they are,Simply creatures of pure air,One day they’ll all fly home,They simply don’t have the time to roam,TheyContinue reading “Swifts, a poem”

Hayrattle in Bowland

The Forest of Bowland has several SSSI’s or Sites of Special Scientific Interest within its bounds and most of these are of interest to botanists for the rare native plants they harbour. One of these is the Hay Rattle, Rhinanthus minor, also know as the yellow rattle or cockscomb. The plant gets its name fromContinue reading “Hayrattle in Bowland”