Curlew, Numenius arquata are large, brown waders known for their long, crescent shaped bill and evocative call, the ‘cur-loo’ so for it is named, which echoes across the pastures and moors of upland Britain in spring. Its scientific name is thought to derive from a combination of the ancient Greek ‘neos’, meaning new and ‘mene’,Continue reading “The Curlews Return”
Tag Archives: #Ecology
Red breasted Merganser
Red breasted Merganser, Mergus serrator, can be seen on Stocks reservoir at the moment from the bird hides, and on streams and rivers in the area too. This unusual diver is a partial migrant in the British isles, heading inland from the coast when bad weather arrives to find more sheltered places to fish. TheContinue reading “Red breasted Merganser”
The Wild Primrose
The month of January, cold and bleak as it may be, with little sign of life in the countryside save the occasional foraging Wren, still holds promise. Native flora like Wild Primroses, Primula Vulgaris, may be seen in sheltered parts of the hedgerows and woods around this time of year, poking their way through theContinue reading “The Wild Primrose”
The White-Clawed Crayfish
The White-Clawed Crayfish, Austropotamobius pallipes, is the only species of Crayfish native to the British isles, they are small crustaceans similar in appearance to a Lobster but a lot smaller. Some of the Northwest’s rivers, including the Lune, Wyre, Ribble and their tributaries, count amongst the crayfish’s strongholds in the British isles, they are veryContinue reading “The White-Clawed Crayfish”
Cotton Grass
Cotton Grass Eriophorum angustifolium, is a perennial (meaning re-occuring year after year) plant native to the blanket bogs of the British isles and found all over the northern fells. It often covers large expanses of moorland turning them white with its characteristically cotton-like seed heads, which can be an amazing sight in the height ofContinue reading “Cotton Grass”
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”
Bird watching at Stocks Reservoir
Periods of cold and stormy weather often cause birds to move about the country in search of shelter, upland birds may descend to lower altitudes and coastal birds may travel inland to escape icy winds. Many species habitually visit the same sites whenever conditions turn for the worse, with some relying upon our reservoirs asContinue reading “Bird watching at Stocks Reservoir”
Grey Crottle or Shield Lichen, Parmelia saxatilis, including some notes about various threats to Lichens in the Northwest of England
The clean air of the Northwestern fells, kept constantly damp by the prevailing westerly winds, makes them a perfect environment for many species of Lichens, and as these interesting and ecologically important organisms are often overlooked in most natural history guides, with the focus on more obvious and spectacular flora and fauna, I try toContinue reading “Grey Crottle or Shield Lichen, Parmelia saxatilis, including some notes about various threats to Lichens in the Northwest of England”
Northwest Nature and History 