The Common Bullfinch, Pyrrhula pyrrhula, is perhaps the best-known species within the Pyrrhula genus, aptly named after the Greek word pyrros, meaning ‘flame-colored’. It is the male who is most strikingly coloured, sporting a rich, rosy-pink breast, black cap, and grey back. In contrast the female is more conservatively dressed with a lighter pink breastContinue reading “The Bullfinch”
Tag Archives: #Cumbria
Seo Wulf-mona
The Wolf-moon Tonight, given that the weather forecast is cloudy and rainy, there is a slim chance that you might be able see the full beauty of the January full moon, also known as the ‘Wolf moon’ or ‘Old moon’. The Northwest of England has several dark sky discovery sites in and around it, theseContinue reading “Seo Wulf-mona”
Yellow Brain Fungus / Witches’ Butter
Those cold, damp January days, when nobody feels like venturing out so you can have the countryside completely to yourself, often offer the best opportunities for poking about the bare hedges and woods to see what treasures catch your eye. In this case, early on the First of January, the prizes I found, shining likeContinue reading “Yellow Brain Fungus / Witches’ Butter”
The Logs upon the Fire
Beechwood fire burns bright and clear, if the logs are kept a year. Store your Beech for Christmastide, with New Year Holly cut beside. Chestnut’s only good, they say, if for years ’tis stored away. Birch and firwood burn too fast, blaze too bright and do not last. Flames from Larch will shoot up high,Continue reading “The Logs upon the Fire”
The Symbolism of the Holly
Holly, scientifically known as Ilex aquifolium, from acus, meaning ‘needle’, and folium, meaning ‘leaf’, is more than just a decorative element during the Christmas season; it’s also a plant steeped in tradition, mythology, and symbolism. Historical Significance It has been a symbol of the winter solstice since pre-Christian times, its evergreen leaves representing the continuityContinue reading “The Symbolism of the Holly”
Northwest Recipes; Winter Venison Chilli
Venison is one of the healthiest and most environmentally sustainable meats available and we have a plentiful supply of it here in the British isles, but we don’t utilise it anywhere near as much as we could. In the countryside of Northwest England you can find Roe, Red and Sika deer and their venison canContinue reading “Northwest Recipes; Winter Venison Chilli”
The Bold Otter
Otters, Lutra lutra, are making a big comeback in the Northwest, being seen more and more on rivers, streams and ponds where they haven’t been seen for generations. Previously only spotted on our main rivers like the Ribble and Wyre numbers seem to have climbed recently and this is a good sign that they findContinue reading “The Bold Otter”
The Farming Series
A collection of some of my farming themed articles Most, if not all, of my articles are connected in some way to farming, after all everything in life is in some way, these are some I’ve picked out which are more directly connected. Yain Tain Tethera. A look at the ancient method of counting sheepContinue reading “The Farming Series”
Northwest Nature and History 