The Hen Harrier, Circus cyaneus, is a medium-sized bird of prey, found throughout Europe and resident in the UK. Its scientific name aptly describes the appearance of the bird, with circus, the Latin for ‘circle’ or ‘ring’, referring to the propensity of the female and juvenile birds to have white rings around their tails, (whichContinue reading “Hen Harriers, Fates and Fortunes, Part One”
Category Archives: #Lancashire
Whalley Viaduct
Whalley viaduct soars over the small town of Whalley in the Ribble valley and has been a familiar and well-loved landmark for many generations. Construction began in 1846 and was completed in 1850, its architectural style reflecting that of the nearby 14th century Cistercian abbey. The 679 yard-long viaduct is 70ft tall at its highestContinue reading “Whalley Viaduct”
Northwest Walks, Beacon Fell to Brock Bottom and back again
This is a short 3 mile walk around Beacon Fell Country Park, it should take about a couple of hours, including time to have a picnic! The going is fairly easy as a large proportion of the route is on country lanes or paved, and the descent and return back to the carpark are onContinue reading “Northwest Walks, Beacon Fell to Brock Bottom and back again”
Juniper in Bowland
The fragrant Juniper, Juniperis communis, (Communis being latin for ‘common’, which is unusual as vulgaris is more commonly used to convey this meaning) is the plant from which gin gets its name and flavour, and along with the Yew and the Scots pine, is one of the three species of conifer that remained native toContinue reading “Juniper in Bowland”
Blobbygate (The story of Noel Edmonds, Mr Blobby and Morecambe)
Recently news has broken of a fresh attempt by 75 year-old tv presenter Noel Edmonds to make a comeback onto the UK’s television screens. Inspired by former Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson’s enormous success with his show ‘Clarkson’s Farm’ Noel, famous for tv light-entertainment shows such as Swap Shop, Noel’s House Party, Top Gear (beforeContinue reading “Blobbygate (The story of Noel Edmonds, Mr Blobby and Morecambe)”
The Crook O’ Lune, Part One; an Introduction
Part One, an Introduction The Crook o’ Lune is well-loved beauty spot on a sweeping bend of the river Lune, famous for its panoramic views up the wooded valley towards the distant moors. Locally very well-known it has been a destination for many generations of daytrippers, with a grassy green picnic site, river banks forContinue reading “The Crook O’ Lune, Part One; an Introduction”
Summer in Lancashire; Silage, Ospreys, Deer, Adders and some other random observations
One ambient summer sound of the Lancashire countryside is the constant whirring sound of farm machinery cutting, rowing up, and baling grass to make into silage, though many farmers have been late to get it in this year due to the exceptionally wet spring. Silage doesn’t have to be completely dry when it is baled,Continue reading “Summer in Lancashire; Silage, Ospreys, Deer, Adders and some other random observations”
Northwest Recipes, Bowland Roast Grouse
Bowland Roast Grouse This recipe is for a version of the classic English roast dinner which substitutes the traditional Lamb or Beef for Grouse, which is relatively inexpensive*, available from local suppliers, healthy and environmentally friendly. If made with locally sourced ingredients, as much as is possible anyway, it should give you a proper tasteContinue reading “Northwest Recipes, Bowland Roast Grouse”
Northwest Nature and History 