Many visitors to the North of England comment on the multitude of stone walls winding their way across the landscape, these are part of the character of the countryside which brings those visitors here in the first place. On a cloudy day, their grey and green stones seem to fade into the hills and theContinue reading “Drystone Walls, a part of the Northern Landscape”
Tag Archives: #Northwestnatureandhistory
In like a Lion, out like a Lamb
The expression ‘In like a Lion, out like a Lamb’, is recorded as far back as the 1600’s but is thought to be much older. It is used to describe the tendency of the month of March to begin with stormy weather yet end with calm, after all March marks the start of meteorological springContinue reading “In like a Lion, out like a Lamb”
The Red-tailed Bumblebee
The Red-Tailed Bumblebee The Red-tailed Bumblebee’s scientific name is Bombus lapidarius, bombus simply meaning bee and lapidarius meaning ‘relating to stones’, referring to the small mounds of tiny gravel found where the bumblebee has dug a nest. Common and easily identifiable It is a common and easily identifiable Bumblebee found all across the British islesContinue reading “The Red-tailed Bumblebee”
The Hodder Bridge Hotel
The Hodder bridge hotel The Hodder Bridge Hotel was once a very popular country Inn overlooking the Hodder near the village of Chaigley, It sits next to the Higher Hodder bridge at the foot of Kemple End. The hotel has now been converted into private houses but was once locally famous, with the views fromContinue reading “The Hodder Bridge Hotel”
Some of the breeds of Hill Sheep that can be found in the Northwest
This is a guide to some of the Hill Sheep breeds that can be found in the Northwest of England, (for an explanation of some of the terms used please see this article) ; The Derbyshire Gritstone This hardy breed of hill sheep was originally bred by Peak District hill farmers to survive in harshContinue reading “Some of the breeds of Hill Sheep that can be found in the Northwest”
The Lapwing
The Lapwing, Vanellus vanellus, also known by various onomatopoeic names, most commonly ‘Peewit’ or ‘tew-it’ and, rarely, as the Green Plover, is resident to the British isles and in winter huge flocks (a group is called a ‘deceit’) can be seen on our coastal estuaries, mudflats and nearby farmland. Enchanting and enigmatic Lapwings are enormouslyContinue reading “The Lapwing”
The Hills are Alive, with the Sound of Bleating!
(My original title for this article was going to be ‘lambing time, a season of anticipation, and worry’ but I think my wife’s title is more fun!) Lambing Time For most sheep farmers right now lambing time is getting into full swing. Sheep pens all across the countryside will soon be alive with the questioningContinue reading “The Hills are Alive, with the Sound of Bleating!”
The Oystercatcher
Oystercatchers, Haemotopus ostralegus, used to be commonly known as ‘sea pies’ (describing their black-and-white ‘pied’ plumage, in a similar way to Magpies) and are a large and very distinctive looking wader with a long red bill, red legs, black head, black back and brilliant white front. They are one of the largest waders in theContinue reading “The Oystercatcher”
Northwest Nature and History 