Farming – Page 5 – Northwest Nature and History

Bashall Eaves

Bashall Eaves is a small village about 5 miles from Clitheroe on the road to Whitewell and a mile away from Browsholme estate. It’s a very small and cosy place, composed of a handful of pretty cottages, a post-office which is only open from 10 til 2 on a Tuesday, the village hall and, justContinue reading “Bashall Eaves”

The Globeflower

The Globeflower, Trollius europaeus, Trollius coming from the German Trollblume, meaning ‘round flower’, is a large member of the buttercup family and flowers from May to July, producing lemon- coloured, round-shaped flowers around 4cm in diameter on top of tall, slender stems. It grows in damp soils such as can be found in meadows and alongContinue reading “The Globeflower”

Little Owls in Lancashire

In Lancashire’s rolling green countryside you can find every species of owl that is native to the British isles, even one species which some might argue isn’t technically native yet, despite having successfully bred here, the Eagle Owl. So far I’ve written about the Tawny Owl, the Short-eared Owl and I’ll get around to sharingContinue reading “Little Owls in Lancashire”

Caring for newborn calves

Spring is a very busy time for the livestock farmer when lambing and calving both get well underway, there are just so many jobs to do. It’s also a very intense time in terms of keeping up with changes in the industry and maintaining a competitive edge, as factors like improvements in cattle and dairyContinue reading “Caring for newborn calves”

The Brown Hare

The Brown Hare, Lepus europaeus occidentalis, is a brown, cat-sized mammal similar to a Rabbit but with with longer black-tipped ears, a longer tail, longer limbs, and the ability to run very fast, having been recorded at speeds of up to 40 miles an hour. It is not native to the British isles, originating inContinue reading “The Brown Hare”

The Curlews Return

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”

The Sheep and its role in shaping Britain’s Landscape and History, Part Three

Part Three, the development of the modern day Sheep farming industry In the final part of this 3-part series we look at how Sheep became valuable for their carcass as well as just for their wool, leading to today’s modern sheep industry. Re-evaluating the value of a sheep As the population of the British islesContinue reading “The Sheep and its role in shaping Britain’s Landscape and History, Part Three”

Down on the farm in January

As we have passed the shortest day of the year, the winter solstice, we can now see the days slowly grow in length, minute by minute, day by day. On the farm the longer days are a sign that spring, the busiest time of year, is on its way, the increase in daylight also givesContinue reading “Down on the farm in January”