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Cottongrass, Hutton Moor
The cottongrass has been particularly good this year. Large swathes of the fluffy white cotton seedheads. Also known as bog cotton and ghost grass although not strictly a grass. It grows well on damp acidic moorland. The seeds and stems are supposed to be edible with its astringent properties used to treat diarrhoea. Wads of…
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Farndale
A quiet and peaceful Farndale, on an overcast morning. If the 1960s plan to flood the dale by the building of a reservoir had come to fruition this scene would have looked totally different. The plan to provide a source of drinking water for the cities of Hull and Sheffield would have covered 400 acres,…
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Huntcliff Foot, Saltburn
Low tide and a late evening saunter along the shore below Huntcliff. Super lighting in the golden hour but the sunset fizzled out. Open Space Web-Map builder Code
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Small Tortoiseshell on a thistle
A pretty little butterfly, generally widespread but in decline in recent years, particularly in the south. The underside of the wings are more sombre and when closed look like dried leaves concealing them from the eyes of predatory birds. Small tortoiseshells hibernate through the winter in sheds, wood piles and hollow trees. This tortoiseshell was…
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Shooting butt, Great Ayton Moor
As a 17-year-old, I played wing forward for my school rugby team. We were unassailable, the best in the county. Against one school I remember a 70+ point score. We took it in turns to score. Can such a one-sided game really be classed as a sport? A no lesser body as the United Nations…
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Danby Castle
A castle was first mentioned on this site in 1242, but the oldest parts of the present structure were built by Lord Latimer in the 14th-century to show off his wealth. It has been much adapted over the years including the addition of a farmhouse. The castle stands in a commanding location on the south…
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Wasdale Head and the Scafells
At 582m high Middle Fell is an unassuming hill overlooked by mighty neighbours. A craggy knoll just down from the summit offers unobstructed views of Wast Water and to the North East Scafell Pike, the highest mountain in England, and Sca Fell separated by the high col of Mickledore. Open Space Web-Map builder Code
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Wast Water
Wasdale Head, the classic view. We were woken up at 5 o’clock this morning by the hurrying sound of crunching feet on the gravel. It was photographers, racing to get the prime location to capture the sunrise. I wasn’t impressed but avoided muscling my way into the line of tripod set up like crows on…
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Buckbarrow
The very prominent line of crags overlooking Nether Wasdale. Not a true summit but merely the hacked rocky end of the south ridge of Seatallan. Long Crag, Pike Crag and Bull Crag are the names. I read there is an interesting Grade 2** scramble but alas no sign of the recommended path, bracken rules. Open…
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Poplar Hawk Moth
A distinct lack of sleep last night. Bat surveys at sunset and sunrise followed by an inspection of a moth box left on all night. This little beauty was the king of the box, Poplar Hawk Moth. I guess a 3-inch wingspan. But there are not many poplar trees in Bransdale. Open Space Web-Map builder…
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