In August in New Mills the wildlife has seemed eerily quiet. Even the Merlin App is only picking up a handful of birds, mostly magpie, jackdaw, wrens, goldcrest, and the occasional lonely chiffchaff, and an abundance of long tailed tits. The kingfisher flashes past every so often, as does the dipper, but I’ve not got […]
August – a great time for butterflies Read More »
February has seen the arrival of noisy groups of Siskins chattering in the treetops These are striking little yellow birds with a black crown and dark stripes. There have also been some female and male kestrels around the Torrs Riverside Park, often perching on lampposts, trees and cables. If you stop and listen, you’ll hear
Can you spot a Goldcrest? Read More »
New Mills is a great place to see wildlife, and in January plenty of it can be found in the Torrs riverside park, especially if you follow the riverside footpaths to the local nature reserves at Mousely Bottom or to Goytside Meadow. If you are quiet, you will often hear the birds, and then get
Birds of a feather – winter wildlife spots Read More »
New Mills Natural History Society now has a Facebook Page with details of its of upcoming events The society has been active since 1969: a friendly group of people interested in observing and studying all kinds of local plant and animal wildlife. At least twice a month on different days of the week there are
New Mills Natural History Society Read More »
For those of you that don’t know Rowarth is a hamlet about 2.5 miles (4 km) north of New Mills and sits on the edge of the Peak District within the parish boundary of New Mills. Friends of Rowarth are a community group bringing together the people of Rowarth with the aim of improving their beautiful place
Friends of Rowarth Read More »
Since the middle of October our garden has been home for a one-footed robin; two legs but one foot, and I’ve no idea how it lost the other. It gets chucked mealworms and crumbs of cheddar from time to time and seems to do well on them, but does struggle perching, preferring to rest itself
Flora and fauna – almost bobbing along Read More »
Eagles or Doves? Aquilegia is a really common and splendid sight at the moment on roadside verges. Originally a wild flower, there are also many cultivated varieties in gardens and many of these have escaped back into the wild leading to a confusing picture! Original wild varieties are deep blue but can also be pink or
Flora and fauna – eagles or doves ? Read More »
An exciting yet reasonably regukar visitor to New Mills the Goosander is a medium-sized duck and a member of a group called the ‘sawbills’ because of their long, narrow bills with saw-like ‘teeth’ which are excellent for gripping fish, especially the brown trout found in the River Goyt. This long sleek, streamlined bird, is perfectly
The diving Goosander – flora and fauna Read More »
The midpoint of the Sett Valley trail is a perfect place to stop and savour the delights of the beautiful Bird Cherry tree. A tree that loves to grow near water, there are several dotted around here in the wet woodland and by the stream bank. A particularly lovely one lies in the field by the public footpath leading up to Hayfield Road. At the moment these trees are covered in clusters of creamy blossom which have a powerful scent of almonds. Eventually the tree will develop black berries. Like most plants it had a range of uses in the past: its bark was once used to ward off the plague and its berries to dye wool. PC
Flora and fauna – Bird Cherry Read More »
Spring has well and truly sprung here in New Mills with the surrounding fields and hedgerows now blossoming. This along with the excellent weather recently has brought out some very busy bees. There is no mistaking the tawny mining bee: a honeybee-sized ginger species with a thick orange coat and a black face. They feast
Flora and fauna : mining bees Read More »
