News articles

Head back to Scorton on Thursday 7th when Wyre Countryside Service attempt to go where you never dreamed possible - on a Tramper Trek over Nicky Nook Fell.  (Fingers crossed for good weather.) Walkers welcome too!

For bird lovers, the RSPB will be leading a moorland walk on Saturday 16th and keeping an eye out for upland species including ring ouzel, merlin and England's rarest bird of prey – the hen harrier. On the same day, history buffs can explore Stephen Park and surrounds and hear all about Sir Stephen Hammerton and the Pilgrimage of Grace.

Also in Tatham, Maiden Bridge Art Centre's summer exhibition will be in full swing on weekends throughout June and July.

For more information about all Festival Bowland events, including booking details where needed, see www.forestofbowland.com/Festival-Bowland-Events

Whilst the weather might not have made up its mind completely yet, there's a definite feeling of spring in the air, so what better time to go on the lookout for Bowland's wildlife highlights?

Also on the 21st, this time in the afternoon, is a ramble by the River Hodder in Newton – a great spot to look for wildflowers, birds and insects.

Back over to Wyre for an evening whimbrel watch on Wednesday 25th to catch a sight of these beautiful birds as they come in to roost and then a Sunday morning walk to search for snipes and hares around Bleasdale on the 29th.

We'll be celebrating International Dawn Chorus Day on Sunday 6th May with an early start in Whitendale followed by a well-earned hot breakfast at the café in Dunsop Bridge.  If 5.30am is a little too early then a springtime walk around Nicky Nook near Scorton from 10am might just do the trick. Enthusiasts might even be able to make the first of this year's bluebell tea walks over in Calder Vale that afternoon as well!

Full event information and booking details are available on the Forest of Bowland National Landscape website at www.forestofbowland.com/Festival-Bowland-Events

It is every dog’s instinct to chase, even if they are usually obedient and good with other animals.  Chasing by dogs can do serious damage to sheep, even if the dog doesn’t catch them. The stress of worrying by dogs can cause sheep to die and pregnant ewes to miscarry their lambs.

• Keep your dog on a lead at all times, especially when near farm animals
• When walking your dog in the countryside, near or on farm land keep a lookout for signs and notices informing you of the rules to be observed regarding livestock

For further advice about walking your dog at this time of year visit the National Sheep Association website.

Further advice from RSPB can be found here.

For further information contact gavin.thomas@rspb.org.uk

http://www.landscapesforlife.org.uk/our-news/newsletter/

In the news this month:

NANational Landscape meet with Secretary of State

The National Landscape Family and post-Brexit offer to Defra

Collaborative work with CPRE

Working with Defra and Natural England to better demonstrate the value of the work of the National Landscape Family

National Landscape Management Plans

Dates for your Diary

How to be come an NANational Landscape member

The Forest of Bowland National Landscape is an important area for the birds of prey that we associate with the English uplands, such as hen harrier, peregrine, merlin and short-eared owls.  However, the RSPB Birdcrime Report 2016 published last week highlights how some of these iconic species continue to be the subject of illegal acts of persecution throughout much of England and particularly the northern uplands. 

The Chair of the Forest of Bowland National Landscape Joint Advisory Committee, County Councillor Albert Atkinson stated:

"It is particularly concerning to the Committee that these acts of illegal persecution continue; badly affecting the populations of birds of prey that are synonymous with the Forest of Bowland. These acts undoubtedly have an impact on the reputation of Bowland as an 'National Landscape'.   The Committee unreservedly condemns all illegal persecution of birds of prey.  The National Landscape will continue to work closely with landowners, the police, RSPB and Natural England to help protect and conserve birds of prey across the area."

If you wish to report any crimes against wild birds, we would suggest contacting the police by calling 101.

Natural flood management, sometimes known as "Slow the Flow", looks at ways of working with natural processes to store water in the landscape in order to try and slow its movement downstream.

The free workshop will take place at Hornby Institute on the morning of Thursday 19th October and will involve a series of short presentations followed by a visit to a local farm to see demonstration projects on the ground. 

Slow the flow methods are currently being trialled in projects around the country in an attempt to try and help reduce the damaging impacts of flooding on local communities and those further along the catchment. Techniques range from peatland restoration and woodland planting to swales and leaky dams.

Farmers and landowners in the Roeburndale, Hindburndale and Littledale areas, along with those around Keasden and the Upper Wenning, are being invited to attend the workshop, which will also include lunch.

Anyone interested in finding out more, or booking a place on the session, is asked to contact Sandra Silk at the Forest of Bowland National Landscape office by telephoning 01200 448000 or by emailing sandra.silk@lancashire.gov.uk

The event starts at 7.30pm (pay bar from 7.00pm) at the Tithe Barn, Browsholme.  Places are free but need to be booked in advance by contacting Sandra Silk at the Forest of Bowland National Landscape office on 01200 448000 or by emailing sandra.silk@lancashire.gov.uk

All donations from the evening will go to Slaidburn Archive to support its important work in recording the history of the Forest and its communities and to Champion Bowland which supports projects benefiting the environment, local communities and visitors.

The Forest of Bowland National Landscape is grateful to the Parker family for hosting this event at Browsholme Hall.

Web banner image courtesy of Robert Parker.

Outstanding Week is the National Landscape Family’s week-long programme of events to help people enjoy and be inspired by the UK’s Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (National Landscapes). This year it takes place from Saturday 16th – Sunday 24th September.

Outstanding Week is an opportunity for you to get involved and get out into our outstanding landscapes to enjoy country shows, dark sky discovery nights, walking festivals, archaeology walks, wood fairs, foraging and local food festivals, wildlife walks, coastal and marine days, thatching courses, drystone walling competitions, charcoal making, bioblitz, inspiration through art and many, many  other activities.

Join us throughout the country to discover why September is such an Outstanding month!

See www.landscapesforlifeevents.org.uk @naNational Landscape @National LandscapeFamily #OutstandingWeek for details.

Celebrate Outstanding Week in Bowland:

• Autumn's Palette

Sat, 16 September, 11:00 – 12:30, Tosside

Autumn is on the way so bring some of Bowland’s fantastic colours inside with these lovely tissue paper window hangings. Red, yellow, green, orange – the choice is yours! A family-friendly activity where adults come free!

Booking essential. For further information contact the National Landscape office on 01200 448000 or email sandra.silk@lan​cashire.gov.uk £2.50, 1 ½ hours, family-friendly

• Equinox Stargazing

Sat, 23 September, 19:30 – 21:30, Gisburn Forest Hub

Come and experience an unforgettable night under the stars in the Forest of Bowland! This weekend is the autumn Equinox, giving equal night and day so there should be great opportunity to travel through the constellations and along the Milky Way. Following an indoor presentation there will be powerful telescopes for you to gaze through, all operated by experienced amateur astronomers, who will attempt to answer your questions on life, the universe and everything! Suitable for adults and accompanied children 12 years and over.

NOW FULLY BOOKED. 

Please keep an eye on Robert Ince's eventbrite page - due to the popularity we plan to run another event in the autumn!

For further information visit www.eventbrite.​co.uk/o/robert-​ince-7214874047

For full details visit http://www.forestofbowland.com/Festival-Bowland-Events

 Head to Garstang again for an evening bat walk on Friday 15th then make a 180 degree turn to enjoy a family-friendly Autumn's Palette craft session at Tosside Community Hall on Saturday 16th.  Round September off with some Equinox stargazing back at Gisburn Forest on Saturday 23rd when we'll be keeping our fingers crossed for clear skies!

Browsholme Hall's characterful Tithe Barn is once again the venue for the annual Lord of Bowland Lecture on Tuesday 3rd October and this year, we'll be finding out all about the Parker family, Bowbearers of Bowland.  Enjoy a spooky Halloween Activity Day at Beacon Fell Country Park on Saturday 28th and experience Grizedale valley's autumnal tints on a walk from Scorton on Sunday 29th October.

Search for Bowland meteors in the skies above Gisburn Forest on Friday 17th November and bring 2017 Festival Bowland to a close with Wyre Council's Barnacre Legstretcher on Friday 24th November.

For a full Festival Bowland programme and details of how to book go to www.forestofbowland.com/Festival-Bowland-Events