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”
Tag Archives: #Heather
Peatland Restoration in the Northwest of England
A brief look over Peatland Restoration efforts in the Northwest of England
The Tiny yet Tenacious Merlin
The Merlin, or pidgeon hawk, Falco Columbarius, falco meaning falcon and columbarius meaning dove, is one of the smallest birds of prey to be found in the British isles, similar in size to the Kestrel. It is also one of the fastest and most agile, flying very low to the ground at high speeds jinkingContinue reading “The Tiny yet Tenacious Merlin”
Golden Plover
The month of September marks the end of Summer and the beginning of Autumn, a season of change and movement, when our days noticeably cool and our nights become longer. For many creatures this transition from Summer to Winter triggers ancient instincts which compel them to find safety and shelter from the cold and inclementContinue reading “Golden Plover”
The Clumsy yet Crucial Cranefly
This article looks at the Cranefly, AKA Daddy Long-legs, both generic names for adult members of the Tilupidae family. Its larvae, the scourge of the gardener and lawn aficionado alike, are known as Leatherjackets. Craneflies are what are called ‘true flies’, meaning they only have a single pair of wings, and their family name TipulidaeContinue reading “The Clumsy yet Crucial Cranefly”
The ‘Glorious Twelfth’
Every year on the Twelfth of August, since around the mid 1800’s, on hills and moors all around the British isles, well-heeled men and women have taken to the hills with their shotguns, dogs and supporting entourage of loaders and picker-uppers to take part in the tradition known as the ‘Glorious Twelfth’. Contentious The sportContinue reading “The ‘Glorious Twelfth’”
Bilberry Season is here!
Bilberries Bilberry, or Whinberry, season traditionally begins at the start of August and doesn’t last long, although this year it looks like it’s going to be another fairly productive one. There are many regional names for Vaccinium myrtilus, in some parts of Ireland and Scotland it’s called a blaeberry, in the South of England aContinue reading “Bilberry Season is here!”
The Heather on the Moors
Three main species of heather There are three main species of plants which fall under the collective name of ‘heather’ and can be found growing on the uplands of the British isles. All three are native and evergreen, with Bell heather and Cross-leaved heather flowering from June to September, and the more plentiful Common heather,Continue reading “The Heather on the Moors”
Northwest Nature and History 