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”
Tag Archives: #Ecology
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”
The Elusive Bitterns of Brockholes
Nestled in the flood-plain of the River Ribble near Preston, Brockholes Nature Reserve is a testament to nature’s ability to recover from seemingly irreversible destruction, especially when given a helping hand by committed conservationists. Once an expansive sand and gravel quarry, supplying material for construction projects like the nearby M6 motorway, this area has beenContinue reading “The Elusive Bitterns of Brockholes”
Nursery Web Spiders
Nursery web spiders are fascinating creatures known for their unique parental care and courting behaviour. Their scientific name is Pisaura mirabilis and the second half of this, mirabilis (the root of the word miraculous), means ‘admirable’ or ‘remarkable’ and refers to the remarkable parental care the mother gives to her progeny. Another name commonly usedContinue reading “Nursery Web Spiders”
The Bullfinch
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”
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 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”
Birds recorded in our garden throughout 2024
This is a list of birds seen in our front and back gardens throughout 2024, in 2025 I aim to write about every species on this list, the blue text links to species I’ve already written about, not all photos taken in garden. Woodpigeon Columba palumbus Various, very often 1x pair + 2x fledglings HousesparrowContinue reading “Birds recorded in our garden throughout 2024”
Northwest Nature and History 