I make no excuses for posting more pictures of my favourite creatures! The darters were around in strength at Ramsley this afternoon and it was mating time for the common hawkers. We saw 2 pairs join together over the water … Continue reading
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The Darters are the last major group of dragonflies to hatch – at least they are around here. We have 2 main types, the common darter and the black darter. Both like the peaty boggy areas on the Moors and … Continue reading
The busiest car park around Big Moor must be the one at Curbar Gap. For some time there has been an ice cream van on duty most days but now we have a new facility:- This is Jolly’s – Coffee … Continue reading
Next to Big Moor is the Longshaw Estate which is run entirely by The National Trust. Big Moor is, of course, part of The Eastern Moors which is jointly administered by The National Trust and the RSPB. There is a … Continue reading
I have already recorded the golden ringed dragonfly and the female emperor on the Eastern Moors but these are only 2 of the many dragonflies and damselflies that can be found. Large red damselfly I think the dragons and damsels … Continue reading
So far this year we have had magnificent displays of cotton grass and orchids on the Moors and now it is the turn of the heather. The common heather is, of course, the iconic plant for this area, but how … Continue reading
The attached is an old message from the Glossop Mountain Rescue Team but is as relevant today as it was when it was first published in 2006. In all the years I have been walking these Moors I have never … Continue reading
We don’t get any different weather on Big Moor…We just get more of it! Yesterday’s thunderstorms created some fascinating cloud formations. It is amazing how all the wildlife finds somewhere to shelter through these torrential storms! … Continue reading
The female golden-ringed has a hard time of it at egg laying time. Unlike most other dragonflies she forces her abdomen into the mud to lay her eggs. After doing this around a thousand times there is no wonder that … Continue reading
Yesterday I came across this Emperor dragonfly laying eggs in one of the small pools within the old Ramsley Reservoir basin. Throughout the proceedings she was constantly harassed by at 2 Azure damselflies. I can only think that they believed … Continue reading