(Excerpt) As July draws to a close across the moors our upland gamekeepers find themselves in the thick of one of their busiest and most critical periods. With The Glorious Twelfth fast approaching their work shifts from protecting nesting birds to assessing populations and preparing for what can be a time of make-or-break for the upland shoot.
Category Archives: #Yorkshire
The Barley Harvest 2026
So far 2026’s barley harvest seems to be proceeding more steadily here than in the drought-stressed south and east of the country. While those regions saw some of the earliest starts on record in late June, northern and western crops are following a more typical timeline, benefiting from relatively better moisture retention in many areas.
A Saddleworth Saga
Saddleworth moor has a troubled history with wildfires. The most notorious occurred in 2018, when a major blaze, exacerbated by a prolonged heatwave and possibly sparked by arson or discarded cigarettes, burned for weeks, destroying thousands of acres, releasing massive carbon emissions, and prompting a major incident declaration which required military assistance.
The Swaledale Sheep, Queen of the Hills
Swaledales are medium-sized, bold, and exceptionally hardy. Key traits include a black face with bright white markings, curled horns (larger in rams), and a weatherproof off-white fleece that is dense and durable. Their strong legs and feet, combined with excellent foraging ability, allow them to thrive on heather, rough grass, and sparse vegetation.
A Pint-Size History of the Inn at Whitewell
The Inn at Whitewell is a venerable old building with a long and storied history. It began its life in the late 14th century as a small manor-house overlooking the River Hodder and served as the residence for the keepers of the King’s Forest of Bowland.
Common Bistort
The pink flower spikes of Common Bistort, towering over other wildflowers on their tall, straight stems, are a familiar sight to many of us who have walked the highways and byways of Northwest England in spring and early summer.
The Duties of a Gamekeeper; Spring on the Moors
For the Upland Gamekeeper spring is a season of intense activity, a critical time of fast change at the fulcrum between the wild & windy months of winter and the more benign months of summer, when the moors become vibrant with life.
The Moorland Breeze, by Edwin Waugh
OF all the blithesome melody that wakes the warm heart’s thrill, give me the wind that whistles free across the moorland hill; When every blade upon the lea is dancing with delight, and every bush and flower and tree is singing in its flight.
Northwest Nature and History 