February 2019

The Big Lodge in the Yarrow Valley & Crosby Beach

 

Face Book Group - Flora & Fauna of the Yarrow Valley

This group on Face Book is for anyone interested in the Yarrow Valley of Lancashire

Flora & Fauna of the Yarrow Valley

Your welcome to join us 

Moschatel - Adoxa moschatellina

Town Hall Clock or Moschatel - Adoxa moschatellina

Cherry Plum - Prunus cerasifera

 Cherry Plum - Prunus cerasifera often mistaken for Blackthorn.

Mugwort - Artemisia vulgaris

Mugwort - Artemisia vulgaris

Native - Flowers July - Sept, aromatic perennial, grows up to 1.5m find it  all over the place but not a problem. 

Bread Wheat - Triticum aestivum

Bread Wheat - Triticum aestivum

Usually find this near bird feeders - 

Cleaver - Galium aparine

Cleaver - Galium aparine

Lots of different names for this one mainly to do with the sticky way it clings to most things.

 Also one that has been used as a medicinal & food plant in the past.

These are the seeds and you can see how they spread so easily.

Mock-orange - Philadelphus coronarius

Mock-orange - Philadelphus coronarius

There use to be cottages in this area, it's a beautiful reminder of the love that must have gone into the garden. 

Garden Privet - Ligustrum ovalifolium

Garden Privet  - Ligustrum ovalifolium

A popular hedge in our village

The Hoverfly was enjoying the sunshine.

Pineappleweed - Matricaria discoidea

Pineappleweed - Matricaria discoidea

Introduced & naturalised, it grows every where yet not a problem as yet.

Also called Wild Chamomile, the flowers smell of Pineapple when crushed.

Swan with no mates Billy

Billy our resident male Mute Swan.

He was born on the the Top Lodge in 2008, he was the only survivor of 4 two died within days and the other at a few weeks, after that he was called Billy no mates. He was a problem to his parents when the time came for him to go, for try as old Edward (his father) did to see him off he was stubborn and lingered on. Edward his father died in 2010 and he became resident Swan - his mate (who was also his mother) died early this year, so now he waits for his new bride to fly in.

Rosebay Willowherb - Chamerion angustifolium

Rosebay Willowherb - Chamerion angustifolium

Upright Hedge Parsley - Torilis japonica

Upright Hedge Parsley - Torilis japonica

Grows all over the Valley, usually one of the last to flower among the umbellifers.

Mugwort - Artemisia vulgaris

Mugwort - Artemisia vulgaris

Still a popular Herbal Remedy.

Colt's-foot - Tussilago farfara

Taken in May

 Colt's-foot - Tussilago farfara

 Colt's-foot - Tussilago farfara

 Colt's-foot - Tussilago farfara

Sycamore - Acer pseudoplatanus

Wednesday 4 May

Another dry walk not many folk about, we do see a lot more younger end about, we wonder are things so bad that they can't find work?

 Hybrid Bluebell - Hyacinthoides non-scripta x hispanica = H. x massartiana another garden throw out.

 Hybrid Bluebell - Hyacinthoides non-scripta x hispanica = H. x massartiana not as pretty as our native ones.

One of the many Rucks paths

Lots of farmer are growing rape around here, I love the colour especially when the Sun lights it up. You can see St John's Church Tower in the distance to the left, Coppull Ring Mill to the right.

Wild Strawberry - Fragaria vesca, don't find much of this now.

Take Care & God Bless

Tuesday 3 May

Quiet dry walk

Bridge Support Wall

 Cow Parsley - Anthriscus sylvestris almost in flower

One of my nestboxes - this has no camera in and the Blue Tits are nesting, I may be able to get some photos later as they develope.

An old stump in the Top Lodge, I do believe there is a Moorhen Nesting in there.

Terns are back, only one brave Gull on the Raft.

Percy Wood Pigeon, he's never far away when the food is out.

Take Care & God Bless