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”
Tag Archives: #Forestofbowland
Walloper Well
Walloper well is found about halfway up Easington Fell on the road between Clitheroe and Newton, it is a well known local landmark having been there since before the Norman conquest. Its name ‘Walloper’ comes from the Norman term for the indigenous people of the British isles ‘Walha’. Although a local, and very misogynistic, folkContinue reading “Walloper Well”
The Comma
The Comma, Polygonia c-album, named after the comma shaped mark on its white underwings, is a very striking butterfly in appearance and can be found in large numbers at the right time of year on its favourite plants. They are orange and black with ragged looking wings which break up their outline and make themContinue reading “The Comma”
Bridges over the River Hodder; the bridge to Knowlmere Manor
Knowlmere Manor is an 18th century calendar house near Dunsop Bridge, calendar houses being an architectural style whereas features of the building correspond to numbers on a calendar, i.e: 52 windows, 12 gable-ends or 7 chimneys etc. The manor has two private access roads one of which crosses over the river Hodder, called Knowlmere ManorContinue reading “Bridges over the River Hodder; the bridge to Knowlmere Manor”
The Spring Equinox and the constellations of Vulpeculae, Anser and Delphinus
The Vernal Equinox On the 20th of March falls the spring, or vernal, equinox, this is the date when the day and night both last 12 hours, so are almost but not entirely equal in length, giving it the name equinox, originating from equi, meaning ‘equal’, and nox, meaning ‘night’, this date marks the beginningContinue reading “The Spring Equinox and the constellations of Vulpeculae, Anser and Delphinus”
Wood Sorrel, the original Shamrock
Wood Sorrel’s scientific name, Oxalis acetosella, derives from the Greek Oxys, meaning ‘acid, or ‘sharp’, and hális, which means ‘salt’. Acetosella comes from the Latin acetum, meaning ‘vinegar’ or ‘sour wine’. It is one of the earliest spring-flowering plants of the woodland floor, along with Wood Anenome, Bluebell and Wild Garlic and is characteristic ofContinue reading “Wood Sorrel, the original Shamrock”
Bumblebees and how to encourage them
Bumblebees are often confused with Honeybees but are larger, furrier, and generally black with either white, yellow or red bands across the end of their tails. There are 24 different species of bumblebees to be found in the British isles, many of which can be seen in the Northwest of England including two which I’veContinue reading “Bumblebees and how to encourage them”
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”
Northwest Nature and History 