Wildlife in the Forest of Bowland A.O.N.B.

Wildlife in the Forest of Bowland A.O.N.B.

This site aims to bring together information about the wildlife of the Forest of Bowland A.O.N.B. (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) and surrounding area.

 

Below are aggregated posts from various wildlife blogs created by people within the Forest of Bowland (bowlandwildlife.org.uk accept no responsibility for any content not created directly by bowlandwildlife.org.uk)

Parkfoot Holiday and Park Homes 2010-02-08 12:02:00 Post Origin "Parkfoot Blog Blog" added here on February 8th, 2010











coppicing with BTCV Post Origin "ginny Blog" added here on February 7th, 2010

BTCV’s work has now moved onto coppicing in one of the areas of woodland planted on the golf course around 1997. This ash (Fraxinus excelsior) tree stump clearly shows its growth rings. A part of the woodland has been cleared. This provides timber  fuel for next year and lets in more light to allow the stumps to regrow and encourage wildlife diversity.

Valentine’s Day for the birds Post Origin "Cobden Farm Bed and Breakfast Blog" added here on February 7th, 2010



The birds are flirting, ready for pairing up around Feb 14.

The bulbs and buds are appearing after the hardest winter they've ever known

And Monty, our Jack Russell, wishes he could catch Goose-y

Cobden Farm B and B website

Elizabeth Mills 2010-02-01 16:36:00 Post Origin "elizabeth mills Blog" added here on February 1st, 2010

Below are a few small paintings I did of the birds coming into the garden over the snowy period, when I was snowed in. Click on the image to view.
















Foxhill Barn b&b news 2010-02-01 09:58:00 Post Origin "Foxhill Barn Blog" added here on February 1st, 2010


Foxhill Barn Bed & Breakfast

Within an hour of us putting up our new bird "table" we were getting a variety of birds feeding, with blue tits being the most common. Here is one of yesterday's visitors.

3 peaks and Pendle - views from Foxhill Post Origin "Foxhill Barn Blog" added here on January 30th, 2010




Foxhill Barn Bed & Breakfast


I went for a walk this morning to take in the full splendour of the stunning panorama you can see when you look North from Foxhill; Ingleborough and Pen-y-ghent still wearing their snowy caps, Whernside only revealing itself from a higher vantage point when the light catches it at just the right angle, allowing you to distinguish between normally blurred horizons. My photo, taken from our yard this morning, really doesn't do this magnificent view justice.

These beautiful views of Pendle are the ones that greet us when we open our front door. Bonny, our pony, is always to be found nonchalantly grazing in the foreground.

Elizabeth Mills 2010-01-28 17:23:00 Post Origin "elizabeth mills Blog" added here on January 28th, 2010




Snowdrops are out in St Marys Churchyard, Gisburn, look lovely and cheerful, Spring is finally on its way!

Surprise Lunchtime Guest Post Origin "elizabeth mills Blog" added here on January 27th, 2010


Sat having lunch watching the birds on the bird table when all suddenly dived for bushes or froze on feeders. Bird of prey landed in hawthorn hedge and then proceeded to try to get at sparrows in hedge, who stayed in the hedge but tried to keep out of its reach, eventually it came out of the hedge bottom and flew off low down the road. I assume its probably a sparrowhawk!

WELCOME Post Origin "Parkfoot Blog Blog" added here on January 26th, 2010

Welcome to the new Parkfoot Blog.

We hope to add bulletins about the wildlife here at Parkfoot.

We'd be pleased if you would add photos of any birds, animals, insects, flowers etc that you see on the Park or close by.

update on the blackrock Post Origin "ginny Blog" added here on January 24th, 2010

Our bullied blackrock is recovering well with most of its feathers having regrown and looking much happier.  The are all enjoying the milder weather and continue to have access to the vegetable plot while there is not too much there for them to damage.

webs Post Origin "ginny Blog" added here on January 24th, 2010

The recent foggy weather highlighted these ground level spiders’ webs. They are suspended on the grass around the edges of our planted woodland. No actual spiders have been seen so not sure what has made them. Suggestions welcome.

#January 2010 Post Origin "Height Top Farm Blog" added here on January 23rd, 2010

It's difficult to believe the weather that we have had in the first three weeks of January.
First the lovely powder snow, followed by the thaw or maybe not if you look at the water butts and yesterday we had a Pied Wagtail bobbing about in the yard.

BTCV at Forrest Hills Post Origin "colin Blog" added here on January 23rd, 2010

BTCV  are running a series of conservation activity days at Forrest Hills for people aged 16-24. Activites include tree planting, bird and bat box building, woodland management and river bank maintainance. BTCV provide all equipment and training and sessions are on Jan. 30th, Feb 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th, March 6th and 13th. Contact Dave Turner at BTCV on 01772 250316 if you are interested in getting involved.

AN OWL SHELTERING FROM THE COLD WINTER SNOW Post Origin "Anne Clark Blog" added here on January 22nd, 2010


PHOTO TAKEN APPROX 3rd JANUARY 2010 DURING SNOW

WINTER WONDER LAND Post Origin "Anne Clark Blog" added here on January 22nd, 2010

Broadgate farm on a snowy day, 9" in 2 hours





Photos taken at Broadgate on 21st December 2009, even the bird feeds were covered in snow!

WINTER WONDER LAND Post Origin "Anne Clark Blog" added here on January 21st, 2010

Coldest night was 12th January 2010 when the wind chill dropped temps to -15.7 degreesC.

winter snows Post Origin "the garden cottage Blog" added here on January 19th, 2010




The top picture was taken from our bedroom window one frosty night in December 2009
The middle one was taken of our two visitors that were staying over the Christmas period. Gareth played Prince charming at the Guild Hall
The last picture is of the garden during Christmas when we were snow bound. We lived in our own little world. It was lovely



bat course Post Origin "colin Blog" added here on January 18th, 2010

Our last blog regarding the sighting of the red back shrike by the delegates on the bat course was in fact a Water rail, which are fairley common around fresh water, and also at Leighton Moss.

bat course Post Origin "ginny Blog" added here on January 17th, 2010

On Friday 15th Jan, Gail Armstrong (’bat lady’) ran her first bat course at Forrest Hills. This course was aimed at experienced people and will hopefully be the first of many. See her website for details. While the group were in Conder lodge, they spotted a water rail. These are fairly common around fresh water and are seen at Leighton Moss bird reserve.

chickens Post Origin "ginny Blog" added here on January 17th, 2010

The snow and ice didn’t go down well with our hens. They couldn’t scratch the ground for grubs or get at their usual greens, they don’t like standing on ice and don’t much like the cold. As a result they either stayed indoors, perched in the hawthorn tree in their run or stood looking miserable on one leg. Unfortunately, they took out their stress and frustration on one of the blackrocks and pecked out most of its feathers.

We did consider isolating it but it would get bullied even more when it re-joined the group and the next in the pecking order would probably have been attacked too.

The good news is that as the ice has thawed and weather improved the group seems to have returned to its usual routine with all the hens getting on very well and the blackrock’s feathers growing back.