#Moorland – Page 6 – Northwest Nature and History

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”

The Hart’s Tongue Fern

The Hart’s Tongue Fern’s scientific name is Asplenium scolopendrium, asplenium meaning ‘belonging to the spleenwort family’ and scolopendrium deriving from the Greek skolopendra, meaning millipede or centipede, which the underside of the fronds is supposed to resemble. It is a small, very hardy evergreen fern with dark green fronds and forms clumps with broad, wavyContinue reading “The Hart’s Tongue Fern”

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”

Jeppe Knave Grave

On the western shoulder of Pendle lies Wiswell Moor and on the summit of Wiswell Moor can be found a very out of place and peculiar grave, that of Jeppe the knave. Knave, Scoundrel and Outlaw The story of Jeppe, otherwise known as Geoff Curtis, that is commonly told in this corner of Lancashire isContinue reading “Jeppe Knave Grave”

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”

Northwest Recipes; Bilberry Charlotte

Bilberry Charlotte A little while ago I publishes an article about Bilberries, which are in season at the time of writing, here is a traditional recipe for a Bilberry Charlotte, which is basically a Bilberry pie with whipped cream on top. You can buy Bilberries frozen, fresh online from suppliers or if you are luckyContinue reading “Northwest Recipes; Bilberry Charlotte”

Bog, or Lancashire Asphodel, an example of how modern science can back up ancient wisdom

Bog Asphodel, Narthecium ossifragum, also known as ‘Lancashire Asphodel’ or ‘moor gold’ in the north of England, grows in wet patches of bog and is a little orange-coloured plant with flowers that look like a little spike of orange wheat. They flower from July to August and if you look closely you can see thatContinue reading “Bog, or Lancashire Asphodel, an example of how modern science can back up ancient wisdom”