The European Hedgehog, Erinaceous europaeus, is our only spiny mammal and in severe decline at the moment, it is also one of the most widely recognised animals in Britain. Typically pictured in a rural setting they are surprisingly common in our urban environments too, finding our parks and gardens to be full of the kindsContinue reading “Hedgehogs”
Tag Archives: #Autumn
The Common or Viviparous Lizard
The Common or Viviparous Lizard Zootoca vivipara, (Zootoca from the Greek ‘to give birth’, and vivipara meaning ‘live birth’, as opposed to ovipara, meaning ‘egg birth’) is one of the most common reptiles in the British isles and can be found throughout the country in a wide variety of habitats, even on the cold, dampContinue reading “The Common or Viviparous Lizard”
The Comma
Commas (Polygonia c-album) are named after the comma shaped mark on their white underwings and are very striking butterflies in appearance. Orange and black with ragged looking wings which break up their outline they look just like dead leaves, which protects them from hungry birds when they hibernate. They are a bit of a generalistContinue reading “The Comma”
Hazel
The Hazel, Corylus avellana, has smooth silvery bark, brilliantly green downy leaves, and early in the year forms bright yellow Catkins which dangle and sway in the wind, giving a welcome hint of spring yellow to the otherwise barren hedges and trees of winter. Quick out of the blocks It is particularly quick out ofContinue reading “Hazel”
Pendle throughout the year
The name Pendle Hill derives from the Ancient British word ‘pen’ meaning ‘hill’, which predates the First Century Roman Invasion. By about the 7th Century, when it was largely forgotten what ‘pen’ meant, the Old English word ‘hyll’ was added and by 1305 the name was recorded as ‘Penhul’ in the Charters of the ManorsContinue reading “Pendle throughout the year”
Sheep Scanning
Sheep are ‘short day’ breeders, meaning they mate when the days become shorter in the autumn so their lambs are born early enough to take advantage of next year’s spring growth. Around this time of year hill farmers will scan their ewes to find out how many lambs they are holding. They do this byContinue reading “Sheep Scanning”
The Dog Rose
The Dog Rose, Rosa canina, is a deciduous shrub native to the British isles, it is found in a wide variety of habitats but prefers hedgerows and scrubby patches of woodland, where it grows in a sprawling manner, its stems arching over each other and getting entangled with other briars and shrubs. It usually reachesContinue reading “The Dog Rose”
Northwest Recipes, Pheasant au gratin
This week is Great British Game Week and here in the Northwest of England we are very lucky to have a great choice of local and seasonal produce to pick from including Game such as Pheasant. The latest addition to my Northwest Recipes Series is one for Pheasant and sticks with the Seasonal and LocalContinue reading “Northwest Recipes, Pheasant au gratin”
