Wildlife & Nature

Summer in England’s Northwest is a time of abundance, colour and life – an especially busy season for the region’s wildlife.

As dragonflies, damselflies and other insects drone and buzz around Cheshire’s waters – the pond capital of Europe – and butterflies float around the region’s nature reserves such as Warton Crag and Gait Barrows, the rest of the Northwest is awash with colour.

Sand dunes along the extensive coastline bloom with dune helleborine, field gentian and seaside centaury, Cumbria’s hay meadows shimmer with buttercups, ox-eye daisy, bloody cranes-bill and wood sorrel, while limestone flowers such as common spotted orchids, early purple orchids, harebells and cranesbill provide a treat to visitors to the Arnside/Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The skies come alive as sand martins dart above riverbanks such as the Ribble, while the willow warblers at Leighton Moss feed their young and bats provide a nocturnal treat, feeding on the abundant midges at dusk.

As if any excuse were needed, the warmer weather and longer days also provide the best incentive to visit the region’s countless places to walk, climb, sail, cycle, observe or simply do as you please.

Enjoy!