Conservation and Environmental Issues, The Dark Peak, The Peak DistrictLeave a comment

Major conservation work on Kinder Scout

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Kinder Scout is one of the most iconic landscapes in the Peak District because of its vast open moorland, the wildlife that it is home to and because it was the setting for the Mass Trespass in 1932.  However, it is also one of the most damaged areas of moorland in the UK and its future is in jeopardy as a result of catastrophic wildlfires, a long history of overgrazing, air pollution and the routes that thousands of visitors have taken.  There are currently proposals for a major programme of conservation work to restore the area so that it can … Continue reading Major conservation work on Kinder Scout

The Peak District, Wild Flowers and TreesLeave a comment

Autumn Berries

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View Full Album   There is an old wives tale that says if there are a lot of berries on the trees in then we are in for a bad winter.  In autumn 2009 the trees and bushes in the Peak District were quite literally hanging with berries, and the winter of 2009/1010 turned out to be the worst that we have had for 20 years.    This year there again seems to be a lot of berries on trees such as Mountain Ash, Elderberry, Holly, Hawthorne, and on the wild roses.  Does that mean we are in for another … Continue reading Autumn Berries

The Dark Peak, The Peak District, Wild Flowers and TreesLeave a comment

Ling Heather on the Moors

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View Full Album August is a great month to see the Peak District moorlands in their full glory, covered in flowering ling heather.  Whole hillsides take on a purple appearance whilst closer inspection reveals tiny clusters of flowers.   It is also a good time for insects such as bees which are attracted by the heather.    We actually have three different types of heather in the Peak District:  Bell Heather, Cross Leaved Heather, and Ling Heather.  The first two are well worth seeking out, but it is the latter that is the most common which creates the beautiful purple … Continue reading Ling Heather on the Moors

Birds, The Dark Peak, The Peak District, Wild Flowers and Trees, WildlifeLeave a comment

The high moorlands in July

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After several days of rain, the high moorlands in the Peak District are looking beautiful.  The peat bogs which has been drying out are now wet and spongy again.  Ling heather is just starting to come into flower, and bilberry bushes are starting to bear fruit.  We have seen an unusually large number of young red grouse this week on Stanage Edge, Bamford Moor, and on Kinder Scout.  We have also seen several Golden Plover, known as the ‘watchmen of the moors’.     Continue reading The high moorlands in July

Conservation and Environmental Issues, The Dark Peak, The Peak DistrictLeave a comment

Moorland drying out

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The recent warm, dry weather has been great for walking, but is not so good for the delicate ecosystems of our high moorlands.  Peat bogs on high moorland areas such as Kinder Scout and Bleaklow are becoming really dry.  Areas of peat are more prone to erosion when they dried out, releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and resulting in a reduction in vegetation.  There is also the increased risk of fire.  A lot of work has been done in recent years by organisations such as the Moors for the Future Partnership in blocking gullies and restoring vegetation in an … Continue reading Moorland drying out

Local Customs and Folklore, The Peak DistrictLeave a comment

Well Dressings

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View Full Album During the summer months, many Derbyshire villages produce well dressings.  This centuries old tradition involves making colourful plaques decorated with flower petals and other items from nature to make pictures.  They are placed at the sources of fresh water such as wells and springs throughout the village.   These pictures are a selection of well dressings in Ashford-in-the-Water and in Wirksworth and were taken on our guided walks on 30th and 31st May.      Continue reading Well Dressings

The Peak District, Wild Flowers and TreesLeave a comment

Bluebells

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View Full Album Bluebells along with other spring flowers have been late this year, however during May we have enjoyed walking through bluebell woods on several of our guided walks both in the Hope Valley area, and in the Derbyshire Dales.    Even yesterday almost into June, Bow Wood near Lea Bridge was still carpeted with these beautiful blue flowers, and on Thursday, we strolled through meadows containing bluebells near to Bretton Clough.   They usually prefer shady areas such as woodland but do occasionally grow in sunlit areas.   In England, wild bluebells are protected by law and it … Continue reading Bluebells

The Peak District, Wild Flowers and TreesLeave a comment

Spring Flowers

richardpeakwalkingadventures

View Full Album Here are a small selection of the beautiful spring flowers that we have seen on our walks in the Peak District over the last few weeks.   They have all been late this year due to the exceptionally cold winter, but bluebells are now just starting to come out, and pretty white flowers such as Wood Sorrel, and Wood Anemones are carpeting the floors of shady woodland areas.    There should be more to follow as we move into May!  Continue reading Spring Flowers