Thankfully the weather hasn’t been too extreme here in Lancashire these past couple of weeks although we have had some very cold days which without the snow feels a bit like we’ve been ripped off.

Last Monday was a case in point where it was so cold the fog was freezing in the air and you could see ice crystals suspended in front of your face. It did look great once I got out of the car in Bolton but driving to work down the M61 through the ice laden air was a little bit interesting to say the least.

I did manage to get out for a walk to Queens Park where all the plants were laden with crystals of frozen fog.

River Croal running through Queens Park during Autumn

It looks like this weeks gales have removed most of the leaves from all the tree in Lancashire. Last night was definitely one of those evenings where you were glad that you weren’t out sea fishing, or any other kind of fishing for that matter. Waking this morning I was half expecting to see roof slates in the garden but thankfully there doesn’t seem to be much damage apart from a broken fence panel.

Hopefully the worst of the wind is over and it’ll settle down a bit. One of the great things about sea fishing after a storm, especially in Autumn or Winter is that the crashing of the waves will dislodge small animals, crabs, worms, etc. out of the sand and fish, not being as stupid as most people think, know this and come close to the shore to glut themselves while this easily caught bounty is available. Add to this darkness, which gives them even more confidence, it’s easy to see that in these conditions most shore caught fish are easier to catch, or at least reach with a rod and line.

On Sunday we’re going up to Fleetwood where although the wind direction doesn’t look like it’s going to be ideal, the area should be churned up enough to bring in the Cod, or at least that’s the plan.

Bluebells and Garlic in Flower, Queens Park, Bolton

What a huge difference to the world the sun makes. I’ve spent all my lunch hours for the past 2 weeks walking through Queenspark, Bolton and the difference in the flora and fauna is truly astonishing.

At the start of last week there were hardly any flowers except the Daffodils but this week the woods are full of Bluebells and Wild Garlic in every direction you look and whenever you stray off the path the smell of the Garlic instantly assails your nostrils.

I was listening to the radio on the way home last week and Wild Garlic is a very good salad ingredient and is good for you and although I haven’t tried any myself there are a few recipes using it on the BBC Wiltshire Website.

Comma Buttterfly

Another thing that always amazes me at this time of the year is the insects. Where do they come from? I know, I know – they hibernate, then come out to lay eggs and then a second lot turn up that are migrants from the south but it’s always a great sight – one day no butterflies – the next, they’re everywhere.

I’ve seen the usual suspects such as Small Tortoiseshell and a few early whites but I’ve also seen the earliest Peacock butterfly I can remember as well as this lovely Comma (Polygonia c-album) sunning itself on a new leaf.

The birds are also busy with far too many species to list all busy building nests or feeding early chicks – this weather and the early proliferation of insects should give them all a very good start to the year.

I keep seeing the Kingfisher but I still can’t find where it’s nesting and to be honest I’d be a bit worried about disturbing it so I’ll probably just enjoy watching it fly up and down the river.

Wild Garlic, Queens Park

No pictures of birds this time I’m afraid as they’re either to fast, to far away or I’m just to slow with the camera.

And as for the sea fishing, we haven’t been out since Christmas as we’ve been decorating and generally tidying up the house after winter but we’re going on our first Bass hunt soon and we can’t wait.

Wild Primula

After a couple of dismal weeks worth of bad luck regarding the weather, where it would be nice a frosty during the week and raining at the weekend we’re not going to get out this weekend either as Wendy is ‘on call’ and has to stay within an hours traveling time of the local hospital.

So plans of fell walking are out but I do intend to get out somewhere before I go mad…

Walking through the park on Wednesday I was amazed to see a few flowers already coming out including the first hint of purple from the crocus’ and a few wild primrose (primula vulgaris) and today during my lunchtime stroll the birds were in full song as if celebrating the arrival of Spring, a little early but I knew just how they felt.

It’s amazing the difference a little bit of sunshine can make you feel.

River Croal, Bolton

I took this photo on Wednesday as well just to show the level of water that’s now coming down the River Croal. It’s like a completely different river compared to a couple of weeks ago. I was going to take some photos of the trees that have come down but the council had been busy and already chopped them into log-sized pieces.

So what to do over the weekend? I might go for a long walk along the River Douglas, do a bit of bird-watching or even go sea fishing although with Wendy not able to go far it will have to be something near to home.

Sorry about the lack of postings recently but I’m back on track now so expect a few more regular updates and thanks for reading.

River Croal in Flood at Queens Park, Bolton

The weather has been a bit breezy lately with strong gales and heavy rain battering the coastline up and down the country, not suitable for sea fishing or walking.

After seeing the state of the River Yarrow which I cross every day on my way into Bolton I had a walk around Queens Park to survey the damage done to the trees. They were in remarkable condition with just a few loose branches blown off but the River Croal was the highest I’ve seen it for a long time. Compare it to the photographs in this entry ‘A Lunchtime Stroll‘ which I did in September last year.

Everything seems to be holding up well in the face of this weather which, listening to the news, you’d think was a suprise. It sometimes seems people forget what winters are supposed to be like.

I can’t imagine what they’ll say when these Northerly winds bring us all a bit of snow! I just wish it would get a bit colder and stop raining then we can get up onto the fells without wading through bogs that should have frozen months ago. Although saying that I am looking forward to spring and some sun.

Weather – what can you do?

But then if it wasn’t for the rain we wouldn’t have this magnificent ‘Green and Pleasant Land’ called Britain we live in…

Coma Butterfly

As the weather was so good today I thought I’d take my camera out to take a few photographs in Queens Park, Bolton, which is where I can usually be found wandering around during my lunch hour looking at this amazing space right in the middle of town.

I usually approach from the entrance nearest the centre of town which passes through an abundance of Buddleia, these in turn attract a variety of butterflies, one of which was this Comma as well as the usual suspects of Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, Painted Lady and Peacock.

I could quite happily watch these colourful insects all day but I continue on over a small bridge into the bottom area of the park.

The area where I walk is bordered on one side by the River Croal on which many water birds reside, mainly Mallard, Coot and Grey heron On some days, if you’re lucky you can see a couple of Kingfishers flying up and down hunting for fish or maybe a Dipper running up and down the river bank.

During the spring and summer Brown Trout can easily be seen from the many bridges crossing the river, catching flies from the surface or just lazing in the clear water.

Queens Park, Bolton

My path takes me past the two ponds that are stocked by a local angling club and although there was no one on them today it is not unusual to see people fishing here for the large Carp and many Roach that roam these waters.

The ponds carry a healthy population of dragonflies and damselflies but they’re far to quick to get on camera – there seem to be less now that the weather is getting a little colder with only the larger species present today.

In the past couple of years the local council and the angling club have removed some of the trees surrounding the ponds which I’m sure at the time seemed a good idea but looking at it now, all that extra light has encouraged the Duck Weed which covers almost the entire surface of the first pond so I expect they’ll let a few of them grow back.

Small Tortoiseshell

My walk takes me back down the other side of the river to emerge once again at the lower entrance where today there were so many butterflies a lot of them were just basking in the sun on the Cornus which has been planted as part of the landscaping of the Lads and girls club.

It still amazes me the tenacity of the wildlife in this country. There I was, in the middle of town with a major road not 10 feet away when I heard the unmistakable twittering of a flock of Long-tailed tits, they were perched (about a dozen of them) on a tree, growing out of the side of the main road bridge over the river, almost as oblivious of the traffic as the people in the cars were of them.

Walking back through town I passed a major construction site where a new block of offices is going up. The artists impression looks very good and it can only improve the overall appearance of the area in which it is being built as well as attracting new business to the town.

Blue on Blue

Saying that though, the only reason I took this photo was because I liked the blue crane against the blue sky, makes a change from bright red.

I don’t know how high it is but I bet the man in the cab at the top has a fantastic view!