The Violet Oil Beetle, Meloe violaceous, is an unusual looking beetle, similar, but not to be confused with the Violet Ground Beetle, quite large at about 3cm long, and as its name suggests, is a rather striking violet colour. It is an insect of strange proportions, its front end being almost ant-like, with a roundedContinue reading “The Violet Oil Beetle”
Tag Archives: #Lancashire
Stockbridge Road Launderette
Stockbridge Road Launderette has served the northern English town of Padiham for decades, functioning, as many do, as a form of social hub as well as just a place to wash that smelly football kit. Here are some snaps taken by me and L B-H to record the unique character of this humble, utilitarian yetContinue reading “Stockbridge Road Launderette”
A Short Introduction to the Long and Fascinating History of Hornby Castle
Hornby castle dates from the 13th century and sits, resplendent in its well-tended gardens and grounds, just outside the village of Hornby in the Lune valley, strategically situated near the confluence of the river Lune and river Wenning. Its gardens are nationally famous and opened to the public several days a year but the hallContinue reading “A Short Introduction to the Long and Fascinating History of Hornby Castle”
The Bilberry Bumblebee
Queen of the Mountain The Bilberry, or Mountain, Bumblebee, Bombus monticola, (bombus meaning ‘bee’, and monticola meaning ‘mountain’) is a relatively small, but gorgeous looking bumblebee with a distinctive orange/red behind making up two-thirds of its abdomen and two lemon yellow stripes on its thorax, or middle parts. The queens, workers and males all haveContinue reading “The Bilberry Bumblebee”
The Meadow Pipit
The Meadow Pipit, Anthus pratensis, is a small, flighty songbird which birdwatchers often put in the class of LBJ’s or ‘Little Brown Jobbies’, as they are sometimes hard to distinguish from other songbirds that can be found in the British isles. Their scientific name comes from the Greek word anthus, meaning ‘bloom’ or ‘flower’ andContinue reading “The Meadow Pipit”
Waddington Old Hall
Waddington Old Hall stands behind ornate wrought iron gates in the famously pretty village of Waddington and has a long history entwined with Lancashire and the ancient family names who shaped the county. The oldest parts of the hall date from the 11th century and from the 1300’s the hall was the seat of theContinue reading “Waddington Old Hall”
Eristalis tenax, the Common Drone Hoverfly
The Common Drone Hoverfly Eristalis tenax, is one of the most common and ubiquitous hoverflies to be found in the British isles, and usually the first to emerge, as adults that have hibernated all winter begin to sense the warmer days outside and venture forth to feed before other flying insects do. At about 1cmContinue reading “Eristalis tenax, the Common Drone Hoverfly”
Rana temporaria, the Common Frog
The Common Frog Rana temporaria, rana meaning ‘to gaze’, and temporaria meaning ‘temporary’, spends winter hibernating in frost-free hideaways such as under tree stumps, in stacks of logs, or in stone walls where they will enter a torpor until the following spring. They emerge around February and spawn around March, the tadpoles hatching and growingContinue reading “Rana temporaria, the Common Frog”
Northwest Nature and History 