The village of Tosside, originally known as Tosside-with-Houghton, is halfway between the farming village of Slaidburn and the market-town of Settle and split halfway between the counties of Lancashire and Yorkshire (in the current, administrative sense that is). The name Tosside, pronounced locally as ‘Tossit’, comes from the Saxon words ‘tod’ for fox, a termContinue reading “Tosside”
Tag Archives: #Forestofbowland
Cinnabar and Ragwort
The common perception of moths is as dull-coloured, crepuscular creatures, more often than not seen at night or appearing as the sun goes down to thunk into window panes, or, if they get into the house, lightbulbs. But, as with most things in nature, things aren’t quite so simple and straight forward, as there areContinue reading “Cinnabar and Ragwort”
The Spotted Flycatcher
The Spotted Flycatcher, Muscicapa striata, is found throughout the British isles and is a summer visitor to these shores, arriving in May and departing for Southern Africa around September. Although it is a small bird, only reaching up to 15cm in length at the most, which is about the same size as a sparrow, itContinue reading “The Spotted Flycatcher”
Round-leaved Sundew
The Round-leaved Sundew, Drosera rotundifolia, (Drosera meaning ‘dewy’ in latin) is a small carnivorous plant found in bogs, it is locally common but hard to find, in England its strongholds are on our acid uplands, in particular those of the Northwest. A small plant, with reddish coloured ‘leaves’ covered in sticky hairs the Round-leaved sundewContinue reading “Round-leaved Sundew”
Haytime
In the cold depths of a northern winter farmers will go through a lot of hay, it’s good, nutritious winter fodder for store lambs, hill sheep overwintering in the valleys, dairy cows, beef cattle, and horses. It’s also portable, there are 3 types of bale which can be easily transported in winter time when feedingContinue reading “Haytime”
The Common Blue
The Common Blue Butterfly, Polyommatus icarus, is on the wing now and can be seen in most parts of the British isles fluttering low in the grasses and shrubs of our countryside and gardens. There are several species of blue butterflies in the British isles but the Common Blue, as its names suggests, is theContinue reading “The Common Blue”
Common Butterwort
The Common Butterwort, Pinguicula vulgaris, is a carnivorous plant and member of the Lentibulariaceae family, which are all carnivorous, it is one of several carnivorous plant species found in the British isles which include Bladderworts and Sundews. Its common name is thought to come from its traditional use as an agent to help milk curdleContinue reading “Common Butterwort”
The Common Field Grasshopper
The chirping of grasshoppers is a familiar sound in the British countryside during the summer months and certainly contributing its song to this chorus is the Common Field Grasshopper, Chorthippus brunneus, which is one of our most common and widespread grasshopper species. Its scientific name is rare in being perfectly descriptive of the creature, (youContinue reading “The Common Field Grasshopper”
Northwest Nature and History 