Tag Archives: #Morecambe

Gallinago the Bog Drummer

If you’ve ever stood in the reeds of Chat Moss, the wet sheep-pastures of the Ribble estuary, the peat-bogs of Bowland or the rushy fields around Martin Mere on a still April evening, you might have heard a weird, somewhat spooky, sound that you couldn’t quite put your finger on; a bleating, almost goat-like humming that seemed to come from the sky itself, and you may have wondered what made it.

The Knots of Morecambe Bay

The vast tidal estuary of Morecambe Bay is one of the most significant sites for birdlife in the British Isles, supporting over 240,000 birds annually. Among its most iconic avian visitors is the Knot, Calidris canutus, a small, stocky wading bird known for its remarkable migrations and mesmerising flock displays. A holarctic species, breeding inContinue reading “The Knots of Morecambe Bay”

Chitons, Armoured Knights of the Intertidal Realm

At first glance, Chitons (pronounced “Ki-ton”) don’t demand much attention; grey, unassuming and measuring only a few centimetres in length they usually go unnoticed by the casual passer-by or, at the least, are presumed to be limpets or a part of the rocks they live upon. Yet, like a lot of our wildlife, if youContinue reading “Chitons, Armoured Knights of the Intertidal Realm”

Sea Campion, a Study of the Marine Wildflower and its Biology, using Occurrences on the Lancashire coast as an Example

Recently my wife and I re-visited a part of the Lancashire coast called Half Moon Bay, which lies between the pretty little village of Heysham and Heysham power station (not so little or pretty.) It’s a part of the country which is very dear to both of us, (in fact it’s where I proposed toContinue reading “Sea Campion, a Study of the Marine Wildflower and its Biology, using Occurrences on the Lancashire coast as an Example”

Rockpooling for Blennies

Blennies are a captivating group of small, often colorful, fish that inhabit marine and brackish waters. Belonging to the suborder Blennioidei, they are known for their quirky behaviors, distinctive appearances, and remarkable adaptability. They are typically quite small in size, ranging from 3 to 15 centimeters in length, though some species can grow slightly larger,Continue reading “Rockpooling for Blennies”