#Northwestnatureandhistory – Page 28 – Northwest Nature and History

The White-Clawed Crayfish

The White-Clawed Crayfish, Austropotamobius pallipes, is the only species of Crayfish native to the British isles, they are small crustaceans similar in appearance to a Lobster but a lot smaller. Some of the Northwest’s rivers, including the Lune, Wyre, Ribble and their tributaries, count amongst the crayfish’s strongholds in the British isles, they are veryContinue reading “The White-Clawed Crayfish”

The Sheep and its role in shaping Britain’s Landscape and History, Part Three

Part Three, the development of the modern day Sheep farming industry In the final part of this 3-part series we look at how Sheep became valuable for their carcass as well as just for their wool, leading to today’s modern sheep industry. Re-evaluating the value of a sheep As the population of the British islesContinue reading “The Sheep and its role in shaping Britain’s Landscape and History, Part Three”

Cotton Grass

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”

Bleasdale Bronze Age Circle

Bleasdale circle is the prehistoric remains of a ‘henge’ or burial mound situated near the village of Bleasdale, near Garstang, rediscovered in 1898 and thought to date from 2000 to 1500 bc. There is nothing much to the site now apart from the earthworks and the stumps of 11 concrete posts which mark out whereContinue reading “Bleasdale Bronze Age Circle”

Hazel

The Hazel, Corylus avellana, has smooth silvery bark, brilliantly green downy leaves, and early in the year forms bright yellow Catkins which dangle and sway in the wind, giving a welcome hint of spring yellow to the otherwise barren hedges and trees of winter. Quick out of the blocks It is particularly quick out ofContinue reading “Hazel”

Bird watching at Stocks Reservoir

Periods of cold and stormy weather often cause birds to move about the country in search of shelter, upland birds may descend to lower altitudes and coastal birds may travel inland to escape icy winds. Many species habitually visit the same sites whenever conditions turn for the worse, with some relying upon our reservoirs asContinue reading “Bird watching at Stocks Reservoir”

Grey Crottle or Shield Lichen, Parmelia saxatilis, including some notes about various threats to Lichens in the Northwest of England

The clean air of the Northwestern fells, kept constantly damp by the prevailing westerly winds, makes them a perfect environment for many species of Lichens, and as these interesting and ecologically important organisms are often overlooked in most natural history guides, with the focus on more obvious and spectacular flora and fauna, I try toContinue reading “Grey Crottle or Shield Lichen, Parmelia saxatilis, including some notes about various threats to Lichens in the Northwest of England”

Pendle throughout the year

The name Pendle Hill derives from the Ancient British word ‘pen’ meaning ‘hill’, which predates the First Century Roman Invasion. By about the 7th Century, when it was largely forgotten what ‘pen’ meant, the Old English word ‘hyll’ was added and by 1305 the name was recorded as ‘Penhul’ in the Charters of the ManorsContinue reading “Pendle throughout the year”