The vast tidal estuary of Morecambe Bay is one of the most significant sites for birdlife in the British Isles, supporting over 240,000 birds annually. Among its most iconic avian visitors is the Knot, Calidris canutus, a small, stocky wading bird known for its remarkable migrations and mesmerising flock displays. A holarctic species, breeding inContinue reading “Northern Shores: The Knots of Morecambe Bay”
Tag Archives: #Birds
A Troubling Trend; Fly-Camping in Britain’s National Parks
All across the United Kingdom, from Dartmoor to the Dark Peak, a troubling trend is emerging; the destructive, disruptive and disrespectful activity known as fly-camping. Often confused with the responsible pastime of ‘wild-camping’, fly-camping refers to unauthorised, irresponsible overnight stays where groups pitch large tents by roadsides or in beauty spots, bringing in items suchContinue reading “A Troubling Trend; Fly-Camping in Britain’s National Parks”
The Ecological Importance of Urban Gardens
Introduction Our street is much like any other in the UK, it’s in the middle of a largish housing estate, built in the 70’s and situated between boxy brick council houses built in the 50’s and a grey, rabbit-warren like concrete council estate built in the 80’s, known locally as ‘Lego-land’. Along our street sitsContinue reading “The Ecological Importance of Urban Gardens”
What’s that Creature Creeping in the Trees?
Deep in our woods and gardens, creeping around in the trees, a small unassuming creature quietly goes about its business, unnoticed by the casual observer. It is known to scientists as Certhia familiaris, but to most of us it is known merely as the Treecreeper, and is, I think, a bird deserving of closer attention.Continue reading “What’s that Creature Creeping in the Trees?”
Build your Nest High; Can Crows predict the weather?
The Crows are building their nests at the moment, high in the canopies of the tallest trees. As of writing, at the start of April, many have finished construction so will be adding the finishing touches, such as nest linings, and settling in. Country folklore has it that if they have built their nests lowContinue reading “Build your Nest High; Can Crows predict the weather?”
The Upland Collection
Here is a list of some of the articles I have published which fall under the broad category of ‘moorland’ or ‘uplands’, it’s by no means exhaustive as there will be some I’ve missed out, some which overlap other themes and others which sit on the fringes. I hope you find it a useful and/orContinue reading “The Upland Collection”
The Wild and Yellow Bloom of Gorse
The Flowers of Gorse, Bright and Bold, Paint the Landscape with Strokes of Gold Also known as ‘furze’ or ‘Whin’, Gorse, Ulex europaeus, is an exceedingly spiny evergreen shrub with an abundance of aromatic yellow flowers and a familiar sight across the Northwest of England, from the windswept mountainsides of the Lake District to theContinue reading “The Wild and Yellow Bloom of Gorse”
Kestrels over Pendle, a jaunt around the ‘Nick
Here’s a few photos from a little jaunt around Pendle yesterday, we walked from the Nick ‘O Pendle across to the fell above the Wellsprings, to the quarry and then downhill to Sabden past Churn Clough reservoir. The path down to Sabden, shortly after taking this shot we saw a Kestrel flying overhead, it mayContinue reading “Kestrels over Pendle, a jaunt around the ‘Nick”
Northwest Nature and History 