Haslingden's Top O'th Slate Nature Site

Periwinkle success at Top O'th Slate

2011-04-29T17:23:00.002+01:00

Just a flying visit yesterday (April 28th 2011) and had time to visit the site of the rare Periwinkle flower which is present at Top O'th Slate. To my suprise it was now flourishing after many years struggling and today it had 9 flowering flowers (really superb specimens (see photo) and lots more spreading... (Click over photo to enlarge)

Charlies Spring Photos

2010-03-25T08:40:00.006Z

Charlie Payne has kindly sent in these two photos of early Spring flowers now showing at Top O'th Slate 1) A Wild Pansy on disturbed land and 2) Coltsfoot

White Ermin Moth Caterpiller

2009-09-25T14:51:00.005+01:00

Charlie had this "White Ermin" Moth Caterpiller today (Fri Sept 25th 2009) at Top o'th Slate.

Contributions to Blog always welcome, thanks....

2009-09-04T10:12:00.008+01:00

Having now moved to Cumbria, it has now become impossible for me to continue with the "Top O'th Slate Nature Site Blog". If anyone has any contributions they would like to make "to keep it alive" then please contact me at the following email address: bryan.yorke@sky.com Thanks....

2009-06-12T17:15:00.015+01:00

Insects: Turquoise Weevil (Phyllobius pomaceus), Dancing Fly (Empis tessalata) (See below left).

Flowers: Columbine (introduction) (See photo below centre). Hybrid of Jacobs Ladder (Polemonium) (See photo below far right)...

Clouded Bordered Brindles plus lots lots more.....

2009-06-07T10:18:00.025+01:00

On Tuesday last June 2nd 2009 we were again mothing at Top O'th Slate and we (Charlie Payne, Arlene Harris and me) had the following species which came to light: (Photo: A Peach Blossom and a Angle Shades by Arlene Harris)

8 different species which included:

Clouded Bordered Brindle - approx 30 specimens.

Peach Blossom (5)

Angle Shades (5)

Flame Shoulder (1)

Scalloped Hazel (3)

Small Phoenix (1)

Herald (1)

Clouded Silver (4)

We also had: The largest true fly - Crane Fly (Tipula Maxima) A female specimen, and Ophion Luteus

If you would like to look at the identification photos please click here

This photo above I took earlier in the week of Hawthorn blossom and notice the many micro moths "Glyphipterix simpliciella" (thanks to Brian Clegg for identification of moths)

Painted Ladies..

2009-06-01T13:09:00.021+01:00

Today at Slate there was very little birdlife showing, a pair of Linnets, 3 singing Willow Warblers, Blackbirds, Blue Tits but no Whitethroat or Blackcap.

A couple of Painted Lady Butterflies (one well worn - see photo), several Large Whites and a couple of Green Veined Whites.

Lots of flowers were showing eg: Bistort, Herb Robert, White Clover, Pink Clover, Dames Violet, Red Campion (see photo below right), Ladys Mantle, Thyme-leaved Speedwell (See photo above right), Lesser Trefoil, Cow Parsley, Birdsfoot Trefoil, Common Mouse-Ear, Common Vetch, Bluebell, Hairy Bittercress.

Hebrew Character, Common Quaker & Clouded Drab Moths.....

2009-04-19T13:12:00.022+01:00

Yesterday evening we were mothing at Top O'th Slate, starting off at 2130hrs..and there were four of us decided to brave it.. we caught up to about a total of 8 moths (3 species) before it went very cold, the winds were still coming from the East but had increased in strength, and after 2200hrs we were catching nothing and decided to give up by 2230hrs. However we managed to catch one or two Hebrew Character and a couple of Common Quaker and one Clouded Drab....

Top left is Hebrew Character,Top Right: is a Clouded Drab moth, Bottom left is Common Quaker. Thanks to Brian Clegg and Steve Palmer for help with identifications...

View from Dr. Eugenie Cheesmond's Memorial Seat

2009-04-18T11:27:00.018+01:00

One of the very rare Greater Periwinkle flowers now opened up (see photo). There are also plenty of signs of Herb Robert and Lady's Mantle starting to get hold. Birds: Swallow 1N, several Meadow Pipits N, a Curlew heard on Cribden side. 4 singing Willow Warblers. Here are some photos of the lovely memorial seat in rememberance of Dr. Eugenie Cheesmond - the first one above, actually shows the view as if you are sat on the seat which directly overlooks Hutch Bank and also Eugenie's house at No.2 Deardengate.....

Please click here to see a photoblog of Dr. Eugenie and her friends

Click here to see "Fabulous Farewell to unique Eugienie" Rossendale Free Press

Click here to see "European Federation of Therapeutic Communities - Remembrance

Great Periwinkle beginning to show at Top O'th Slate

2009-04-15T10:10:00.016+01:00

Today I checked on the Great Periwinkle and it is currently showing a small cluster with at least 3 separate flowering heads. Here is a photo showing its current status. Also there is at least 4 Willow Warblers singing from various point on the Top O'th Slate and a further bird singing from the Slate Farm/Duckworth Clough area. A new lichen found at TOS which is shown here (top right) and is called "Physcia tenella"... also another photo of the lichen " xanthoria parietina"

Click over photos to enlarge..

Rossendale Shoe Trail at Top O' th Slate.....

2009-03-25T08:51:00.009Z

Rossendale Shoe Trail – Coming Spring 2009! Published by Rossendale Borough Council on Tuesday 24th March 09 This is an exciting project that takes inspiration from Rossendale’s historical links with the shoe and brick industry. The Shoe Trail will direct people from Rawtenstall town centre, through the Rossendale Valley and up to the Halo Panopticon at Top o’ Slate using giant footwear designs as way markers. (See artist immpression above right hand side - courtesy of Mid Pennine Arts...)

The giant, ceramic shoes have been designed by school groups from All Saints High School and Haslingden High School in Rossendale. The students worked with artist Julie Miles to produce designs that could be recreated using clay. Each of the way markers is hand carved to provide a truly unique way of guiding people into the beautiful Rossendale countryside.

The giant shoes will be positioned on the top of dry-stone walling and other key sites at regular intervals along the Trail. They will be placed at sites where trail users can admire the view or examine points of specific interest.

Rossendale Valley is famous for its shoe industry, but in the early part of the 20th century the area was also a major contributor to brick making and manufacture. The Shoe Trail aims to recognise this 'forgotten' industry by using clay to produce the way markers. Top o' Slate was once a clay pit for the brick factories of Heys and Duckworth, Haslingden Brick and Tile Co. and R. Holding Pike Law Patent Brick works making the ceramic way markers even more important in celebrating the area's heritage.

The Shoe Trail will start and end with carved relief brick plaques produced by artist Julie Miles. At Top o' Slate the plaque will depict the historical industry of the area from felt making, block printing, carpet printing through to the production of slippers, brick making and the railway. A similar plaque will be worked into the ground outside Rawtenstall station. This piece will be carved with images that celebrate the town's heritage as well as pictures that represent the Rossendale landscape.

A carved image of the Halo Panopticon will be included to encourage walkers to visit Top o' Slate. These plaques have also been designed with the help of school groups.

Meadow Pipits parachuting - Back on Territory....

2009-03-24T20:41:00.027Z

Signs like this have been put up letting us know of the Shoe Trail Installation which is currently taking place (see tomorrows blog for more details).

The Meadow Pipits where coming through on a regular basis probably every 3 or 4 minutes, usually in singles and heading straight through in the direction of Pendle (Ribble Valley)... there where also some Pipits back on territory at TOS and you could see them doing the parachute display has other birds came overhead. Skylarks have been back on territory for some time now and they where happily singing away...

Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) and Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) have started to appear. Also this miniature Daffodil was present in the disturbed soils. Gorse, Chickweeds and Mouse-Ear is also beginning to show up..

Life is beginning to spring back into th'owd place..

2009-03-06T17:23:00.041Z

Certainly one of the best days of the year so far and life is gradually springing back into th' owd place... with a couple of white and several yellow crocus on the disturbed land quite close to the actual panopticon. Also daisies are beginning to show. This Stonechat was on the walls closeby, and a Bullfinch piping from their usual haunt quite close to Slate Farm.

A new tree lichen for TOS (shown in photo - Xanthoria parietina)..

Billy Suet's Song by Major David Halstead....

2008-12-26T17:29:00.014Z

Bodle un Mischief un Poncake un me

One Setthurday mornin’ went out for a spree;

Four lasses we met uz were goin’ up th’ Slate-

Thur wur Sarah un Mary un Martha un Kate.

They lived wi’ the’r feyther up on th’ Cribden Side,

He’d work’d up o’ th’ farm whol the’r shuttle they plied,

“They’s all hev the’r looms,” th’ owd feyther said,

“When they leave Cribden Side for to goo un get wed.”

Well, aw needed a loom, un aw needed a wife,

For aw’d getten reifth stauled ov a bachelor’s life;

Un Mischief un Bodle un Poncake all said

They’d bin long enough single – they’d goo un get wed.

“Well, Sarah,” aw sed, “aw’m beawn to ha’ thee”;

“Aw’m too fond o’ Mischief,” sed Sarah to me,

“Un aw’m promis’t a good pair o’ looms when aw wed” –

“By gum, Sal, aw’ll tak’ un un thee,” Mischief sed.

Well, then aw axed Martha if hoo’d cooart wi me –

“When tha hesn’d a Bodle to bless thisel wi!” –

Soa Bodle took this uz a hint to propose;

An’ a foine pair o’ looms un Martha aw lose.

Soa Mary un Kate were soon left by thersel,

One day we see’d Kate fotchin’ wayter fro’ th’ well,

Then Poncake un me booath together did strike:

“Aw ne’er cared for Suet, but Poncake aw like!”

Well, Moll un her looms they wur booath still to let,

Un id worn’d very long afore Mary aw met;

Aw wor twistin’ a warp in th’ owd spinnin’ rooms;

Neaw aw’ve getten th’ feawst lass un th’ wo’st pair o’ looms.

This poem/song was performed by a great late friend of mine from the 60s Harry Boardman of Middleton and he included it on the Compilation album "Owdham Edge"...

Nearby Cribden = "Cridden" = (Hill of Stags)

2008-12-26T15:05:00.015Z

Walk on Laund Hey and Cribden.. Photos show: 1) a moss on Cribden side. 2 & 3) Traditional "Haslingden Flag" stone fencing on Laund Hey - this type of fencing has always been a uncommon type of fencing, which has been used in these parts and would have been made from the local flagstones available from the nearby quarries - some of these are at least 6ft x 5ft in size, (and thats whats showing above the earth, so there is probably another 2ft plus below ground). I can only think of one other other example of this type of fencing around these parts which are situated on Helmshore Road opposite York Avenue, but I am sure there are lots of other examples within Rossendale. 4) This photo is showing the damaged "Beacon" which has long since fallen over and is placed at the very end of Cribden. 5) This is a Cladonia type of lichen found on the sides of Cribden found closeby to the moss already shown in photo 1. 6) This pond is on top of the Cribden Hill, and I have flushed many a rare bird from within its margins.. the last bird I had here was a Green Sandpiper about three years ago..

Tramping on this Hill will always bring back some happy childhood memories, when on one occasion over 50 years ago, I remember coming back over the Cribden Hill from either a days fishing on Pinner Lodge (above Crawshawbooth) or birdwatching in Brooks Wood, can't remember which but it was certainly becoming dusk and whilst on the Haslingden side of Cribden, all at once there seemed to be such a "explosive" cackle from under my feet which frightened the living daylights, and a Red Grouse flew off from that very place, followed by about 12 little grouse chicks which seemed to be running off in all directions. I quickly made my exit..

Repairs to Panoptican

2008-11-22T13:56:00.019Z

1200hrs - 1330hrs..... They where carrying out repairs to the Panoptican today (See Photo)..

The only birds I had today were: 4 Meadow Pipits, 1 Pied Wagtail flying over, and a couple of parties of Starlings feeding in the fields on the way up to Slate...

Going quiet at Slate......

2008-10-16T15:42:00.005+01:00

Yesterday I had a few bits and bats as follows: Starling: 4NW, Pied Wagtail: 1, Siskin: 1, Meadow Pipit: 25 plus another 80 blogging, Goldfinch 30 blogging party, Chaffinch: 3, Skylark: 1, Greenfinch: 1, BHG: 53, Mistle Thrush: 2, Stonechat: 2, Great Spotted Woodpecker: 1......

Things have been going quiet at Slate, after all its that time of year once again. Also most other stuff, especially the flora now seems well spent....so I will be turning the bulk of my attention to the Haslingden Grane to register counts of migratory thrushes over the next few weeks, has they past through on a East - West corridor.. So I would now expect very little will be recorded on the Top O'th Slate site for a while, although I will try and get some photos on from time to time.... Please keep checking...... thanks... (photo: Spent Rosebay Willowherb - click on photo to enlarge)... If in the meantime you want to check out the Grane site please click on this link: http://haslingdengrane.blogspot.com/

Brambling - First one of the year.....

2008-10-14T13:30:00.000+01:00

Last 2 or 3 days no count because of thick fogs etc. Today just managed one hour before thick fog yet again came rolling in and stopped play. 0700-0800hrs. Movement South unless stated. Wind: South 5mph. My first brambling of Autumn - no Thrushes yet! Meadow Pipit: 46 (plus 10 blogging), Pied Wagtail: 1, Chaffinch: 6, Brambling: 1 Reed Bunting: 1, Starling: 3, Mistle Thrush: 1, Linnet: 2NW.

Still fairly quiet on the bird migration front...

2008-10-08T10:03:00.002+01:00

Tuesday October 7th 2008 0700HRS-0800HRS.. ABSOLUTELY NOTHING OVER ONE HOUR....

Today Wednesday October 8th 2008 0700hrs-0900hrs... Pied Wagtail: 16 (2NW), Meadow Pipit: 56 & 20+ blogging, Chaffinch: 7, LBBG:6, Goldfinch: 1N, Linnet: 5W, Greenfinch: 7, Common Snipe: 5 (one party N), Lapwing: 30 off Cribden Flatts SW probably local.. Stonechat: 2, Woodpigeon: 5, 1N, Blackbird: 1 Reed Bunting: 1 BHG: 17 moving S down below at Carrs (presumed local) Carrion Crow:5, Raven: 2 W, Redpoll: 2, Cormorant: 1 SW Siskin: 1

A Late Swallow today -

2008-10-06T12:21:00.006+01:00

Vismig - 4th,5th & 6th October 2008 Both Saturday and Sunday was very poor... never ever known it to be so quiet at this time of the year in my 20+ years of vismigging (visible migration of birds)..

Saturday 4th October: Goldfinch: 6, Meadow Pipit: 14, Linnet: 2, Chaffinch: 1,

Sunday 5th October: 0700-0900hrs BHG: 121 moving down at Carrs, LBBG: 11, Meadow Pipit: 12, Chaffinch: 13, Siskin: Audible only one party, Kestrel: 1 local....

Today Monday October 6th 2008

Wind: SE 6mph 0700hrs - 0900hrs Movement South unless stated otherwise. Meadow Pipit: 147, Pied Wagtail: 15 (1N) one party 11, Siskin:2, Swallow: 1, Chaffinch: 10, Greenfinch: 1, Goldfinch: 27 (one party at 10,12), Starling: 8 (one party 5, first migrant Starlings), Cormorant: 1, LBBG: 3, Carrion Crow: 1, Kestrel: 1 presumed local/

Photo: The Red Sky this morning looking East... click over photo to enlarge..

Probably the worst day in many a year......

2008-10-03T16:16:00.001+01:00

0700hrs - 0830hrs Wind: very strong and cold NW 15mph All movement South unless stated otherwise. Today was dire! in fact I would go along with saying probably the worst day in many a year... Meadow Pipit: 6 (3NW) Chaffinch: 2 Lapwing: 25 (wintering on Cribden Flatts-local) BHG: 2 LBBG: 13

3 Unidentified Slim/slick gullish dark grey phase birds....

2008-10-02T20:24:00.003+01:00

0700hrs-0830hrs, Wind: NW10-15mph Movement: South unless stated otherwise. Still very quiet with little moving... Meadow Pipit:28, Pied Wagtail: 4 (2N), Starling: 1NW, Woodpigeon: 2, Chaffinch: 2, Greenfinch: 1, Sparrowhawk:1 (probably local), Kestrel: 1 (probably local), Carrion Crow: 4, Goldfinch: 2, LBBG: 25, BHG: 13, Goose Species: 4 NW (too far away over North Blackburn to identify), Linnet:3, Lapwing: 12 on Cribden Flats (probably now local having reached their Winter destination), Siskin (audible only), Goosander:1, and the possible stars of the day remain unidentified - 3 party, they where similar in size to BHG but very greyish (darkish and dirty throughout - reminded me of the colouring similar to Fulmar, but far slimmer than Fulmer, could they possibly have been Black Tern?) in appearance, on the route East to West...

Chaffinch - lots missed going extremely high ...

2008-09-25T12:16:00.004+01:00

0645hrs-0830hrs

Today was OK with birds moving steadily up until about 0830hrs then it just died. The party numbers where very good today (pipits) eg: 23,26,19,80 etc. Lots of Chaffinches where being missed as I could hear parties going high overhead but could not see..

Meadow Pipits: 416, Pied Wagtail: 13 (6W), Chaffinch: 25 (1W) but lots missed... Goldfinch: 10 Siskin: audible only Blackbird: 1 Greenfinch: 8 Redpoll: 1 Linnet: 2 (1W) Kestrel: 1L Woodpigeon: 1

Pied Wagtail increasing & nice to see Snipe..

2008-09-24T11:22:00.002+01:00

0645hrs - 0900hrs

Wind SE 10-12mph and decreasing.. most movement finished by 0815hrs.

Today Pied Wagtails in better numbers and Snipe showing.

Meadow Pipit: 252 (2W), Chaffinch: 13 (2W) Pied Wagtail: 27 (3W and best party 8) Siskin: 20 (14,6) Goldfinch: 4 Linnet 11 (9W) Reed Bunting: 1 Common Snipe: 3 (2,1) Carrion Crow: 3 Jackdaw: 6 Kestrel: 1 probs local..

Meadow Pipits flying through sideways in strong winds...

2008-09-23T08:53:00.002+01:00

0645hrs-0845hrs,

Wind: NE 15mph and weakening by 0830hrs. Very strong birds coming through sideways on... All Movement South unless stated otherwise.....

Meadow Pipits: 269, Linnet: 8, Pied Wagtail: 5 (4,1), Goldfinch: 1, Chaffinch: 1, Kestrel: 1, LBBG: 2

Lapwings on the move today...

2008-09-22T14:30:00.004+01:00

0645hrs - 0845hrs Birds:

Meadow Pipit: 127 (6W), Pied Wagtail: 1, Linnet: 3 (1W), Siskin: 10 (6,4), Chaffinch: 7 (4W), Greenfinch: 1 NW, Goldfinch: 1W, Mistle Thrush: 2, Lapwing: 11 plus a very large party to the North West over Oswaldtwistle area, Stock Dove: 3, LBBG: 3.....

Migration still in limbo with very little showing....

2008-09-21T13:48:00.011+01:00

0645hrs - 0830hrs

The movement never got going again today, although there was some wind though light SE 3 mph. Chaffinch looked like they where picking up..

Birds: Meadow Pipit: 96, Pied Wagtail: 9 (1W), Chaffinch: 15 (1W), Linnet: 19 (7W), Twite: 10 NW, Siskin: one party audible only, Goldfinch: 2, Greenfinch: 4 (2NW), Mistle Thrush: 2 (1NW), Reed Bunting: 1 NW, LBBG 3 (2NW), BHG: 49 below in Carrs, Magpie: 2, Golden Plover: Audible only, Magpie: 2, Woodpigeon: 1..

Panopticon is one year old today.......

2008-09-20T09:14:00.010+01:00

The Panopticon is one year old today... sadly it is still not working on account of the recent fire damage.

(This is the flyer which was given out last year to announce the official opening - click on photo to enlarge ) If you want to see the reverse of the flyer Click Here...

0630hrs-0830hrs, Wind: Variable 3mph, movement South unless stated otherwise... Again today it never really got going and by about 0730hrs the main movement was over with....

Birds: Meadow Pipit: 225, Pied Wagtail: 9 (2W), Grey Wagtail: 2, Chaffinch: 16 (4W), Goldfinch: 3, Linnet: 31 (one party of 20), Siskin 6 (3 pairs), Greenfinch 1, Wheatear:1 (came within one metre), Swallow: 2, Stock Dove: 1, Woodpigeon: 1, BHG: 11 down at Carrs heading South, Starling: 1

Cormorants on the move today.....

2008-09-19T09:04:00.004+01:00

0645hrs - 0845hrs Wind SW 3mph - Movement South unless stated otherwise. Very murky with fog building at times at 200 metres visability... The passage today never got going with just trickles of birds throughout watch.... Meadow Pipit: 163 (9W), Pied Wagtail: 5 (1W) Grey Wagtail: 1 Chaffinch: 11 (4W) Siskin: 11 House Martin: 7 (6 & 1) Very high and only picked up through hearing them.. Swallow: 11 (3 & 8) Goldfinch: 3 (1W), Linnet: 12 (1W) Redpoll: 6 (5NW) Greenfinch: 1 Cormorant: 5 Woodpigeon: 10 Herring Gull: 2

Sunrise behind the mast.....

2008-09-18T08:51:00.014+01:00

Sunny, but murky to South and West... bird movement had finished completely by 0830hrs...

0645hrs-0830hrsWind: variable 3mphMovement: South unless stated otherwise...

Meadow Pipits: 306, Pied Wagtail: 10 (3W), Grey Wagtail: 1, Goldfinch: 2, Chaffinch: 6, Reed Bunting: 1, Starling 5 (1NW), Linnet: 13 (4NW), Greenfinch: 3, Magpie: 7 (5,2), Swallow: 17 (5,5,7), House Martin: 9, Twite: 9, Siskin: 2 audible parties, Common Snipe: audible only, Skylark: audible only...

Best days Vismig this year....Anyday now the big push with Pipits.. And Redpoll now showing..

2008-09-17T11:52:00.005+01:00

0645hrs - 0930hrs Wind: SE 5mph All movement South unless stated otherwise.. Today was without doubt the best so far this Autumn especially with good numbers of Pipits. Its looking good and maybe the "big push" is not far away..... Birds: Meadow Pipit 721 (best parties: 100 (came through at 0915hrs), 80, 43) Pied Wagtail: 2 Greenfinch: 3 Redpoll: 40 all NW (a 30 and 10 party) Reed Bunting: 2 Siskin: 3 Twite: 21 (1NW) Starling: 1 Swallow: 8 (2NW) Goldfinch: 11 Linnet: 29 (best parties 8W,9) Chaffinch: 4 Carrion Crow: 1 BHG: 19 down at Carrs heading SE

(Photo: South East Directional Map from the Panopticon - click to enlarge)

First moving Woodpigeons....

2008-09-16T10:44:00.003+01:00

0645hrs - 0945hrs. A far better morning. Wind at 8mph SE moderate heavy rain specking from 0800 on... Birds: Meadow Pipit 375 (5W) best parties: 26,24,18,17) Linnet: 31 (14W) Greenfinch: 4 (2W) Siskin: 2 audible parties - not seen Reed Bunting: 1 Goldfinch: 11 (2W) Chaffinch: 9 (7W) Swallow: 3 NW plus 1 audible party not seen Kestrel: 1 probably local Woodpigeon: first party of 8 LBBG: 2 (1W) Canada Goose: 1 (NW)

Meadow Pipits starting to go through.....

2008-09-15T08:51:00.002+01:00

0645hrs - 0830hrs - Red Sky to East on arrival, strongish 6-8mph SE winds. Steady movement up until around 0800hrs then movement suddenly died and by 0830hrs rain.... All movement South unless stated otherwise... Birds: Meadow Pipit 268 (best parties: 22,18,16,15) Chaffinch: 4 Goldinch: 11 Linnet: 25 (one party 14) Siskin: 15 - one party Kestrel: 1 probably local Sparrowhawk: 1 probably local Magpie: 3

Fogged out yet again and not good for Vismig

2008-09-14T11:33:00.004+01:00

0645hrs - 0900hrs Completely fogged out, just had a trickling of birds which came close and was able to observe - overhall very poor. Meadow Pipit: 29 Linnet: 35 (5W) one party 20,8. Siskin: One party audible Swallow: 4 Reed Bunting: 1 Pied Wagtail: 4W one party, 0930hrs - 1000hrs Fog now lifted but still very little going through. Meadow Pipit: 15 Linnet: 5 (4W) Greenfinch: 6W Kestrel: 1 Local. Sparrowhawk: 1Local

Vismig very quiet...

2008-09-13T12:09:00.008+01:00

0700hrs - 1130hrs First hour or so was continual light drizzle and at times foggy closing in and out all the time but came OK for about 0900hrs... very little going on to say the conditions looked good....

Birds: Meadow Pipit: 51 (2W) plus about 50 bloggers near Cribden Flatts which showed themselves when a Sparrowhawk came on the scene...Goldfinch: 2, Pied Wagtail: 5 (2W), Greenfinch: 3, Swallow: 12 (7,4,), House Martin: 6, Linnet: 18 (all W) one party of 12, Reed Bunting: 1, Chaffinch: 3W, LBBG: 1 dark phase immature W, Kestrel: 2 (1 local) and 1 passage, Mallard: 2 female, Starling: 9 W (5,4), (Photo of map from panopticon viewpoint showing west, click on photo to enlarge)

Pied Wagtails starting up......

2008-09-12T12:11:00.003+01:00

0630hrs-0830hrs. Quite thick with fog mainly to the East and then filling in all around with very low visability but did manage to record some movement. It cleared to 75% but had to go at 0830hrs. Wind changed to variable light SW... Birds: Meadow Pipit: 101 Goldfinch: 21 (14 one party) Pied Wagtail: 7 (2W) Linnet: 20 (one party 10W, 8W) Chaffinch: 7 Siskin: 3 parties heard not seen. Swallow: 10 Greenfinch: 1 Magpie: 2 probably local. 1000hrs - 1130hrs. Still some fog around to the East Side but overhall it was OK. Meadow Pipit: 109 Goldfinch: 40 (one party 14, one party 25) Linnet: 2 (1W) Kestrel: 1 Pied Wagtail: 2 Starling: 1NW Swallow: 4 LBBG: 1 Jackdaw: 6E

2008-09-11T17:15:00.010+01:00

1500hrs - 1630hrs...

Birds: Swallows on passage 19 (13,4 party) Goldfinch one party of 15 feeding up on Slate...

Insects: Red Admiral B (1), Speckled Wood B (1) at Pitt Heads on way up.... Angle Shades Moth (1), Picromerus bidens (Shield Bug)...

Flora: Bridewort (Spiraea salicifolia ).....and Sticky Mouse Ear (right photo - click over photo for supersize)

Swallows heading out North West.... Seen this many times before.... Why North West?

2008-09-10T11:18:00.007+01:00

0645hrs- 0730hrs. Beautiful on arrival then within 15minutes completely blanketed in fog.. Just managed to records a few... all South unless stated. Birds: Meadow Pipit: 12, Swallow 4, Pied Wagtail 1, Grey Wagtail 1, Linnet 3 plus audible party missed, Siskin at least 3 audible parties missed, Goldfinch two audible parties missed, Chaffinch 2, Twite 1.... 0900hrs - 1100hrs. Although the fog had 90% cleared plus the wind had grown a little stronger to SE 6mph, the movement momentum had already gone, unless you get the weather first thing, you struggle for passage numbers to pick up later..... Birds: Meadow Pipit: 26, Linnet 28 (20 party plus 8NW) plus a audible party not seen. Goldfinch: 7 (4W) Siskin: 1W plus audible party not seen. Swallow: 26 (2 parties of 10 went out North West), Pied Wagtail: 1, Goosander: 1 NW, Chaffinch: 1, Mistle Thrush: 1, Stock Dove: 2, Starling 2 NW, Kestrel 1 probably local, BHG: a pair heading NW over Martin Croft..

(Click over photo of viewpoint directional map South from Panopticon)

Herons on the move?

2008-09-09T08:20:00.002+01:00

0645hrs-0800hrs Wind SE 6 mph, heaving rain stop play at 0730hrs.... All moving South unless stated otherwise... Meadow Pipit: 44 (best parties 7,7,9) Chaffinch: 2 Linnet: 7 (one party 6) Swallow: 7 one party Siskin: party heard but not seen. Common Snipe: 1 Heron: 2W - a pair high and calling.... Kestrel: 1 Carrion Crow: 1.

Vismig warming up - Goldfinch on the move....

2008-09-08T09:34:00.002+01:00

0700hrs-0900hrs Today was better with vismig and saw parties of Goldfinch in particular and a steady Meadow Pipit passage of 40-60 per hour... All passage South unless stated otherwise.... Swallow: 29, incl: 5,6NW,4,4 etc. Pied Wagtail: 1 Meadow Pipit: 101 (6NW) 43 1st hour and 58 2nd hour. House Martin: Over 50 bloggers, they maybe local or maybe not... Chaffinch: 9 (1W) Greenfinch: 2 (1W) Goldfinch: 72 (best parties: 14,18,14,8,13) Linnet: 45 (best parties: 20,13) 7W Reed Bunting: 1 Siskin: 2 Starling: 3NW Kestrel 1 probably local Carrion Crow 2 Magpie 2 probably local..

Red Arrows pass by at 0930hrs.....

2008-09-06T11:28:00.009+01:00

0900-1100hrs.

Birds: First decent day on the vismig front: All South unless stated otherwise.

Meadow Pipit: 67, Swallow: 4 (probably still local), Linnet 25 (best 7,14), Kestrel: 1 (local), Twite: 7 (One party straight South), Siskin: 2, Goldfinch 10 (one party), LBBG: 1.

Red Arrows: (click over photos to enlarge) At 0930hrs on the dot.. they came in from the Burnley direction following the Cribden Side heading South - over Laund and then Cribden flats and then veered in a arc west over Broadway towards Tor and headed out in the Darwen direction....

CLICK HERE TO SEE RECENT FIRE DAMAGE TO PANOPTICON PHOTOS

Panopticon set alight last night Thursday.....(September 4th 2008)

2008-09-05T15:41:00.006+01:00

This is a news article which has just appeared today on Rossendale Online "Fire crews were called to an incident at Haslingden's Halo last night. The year old panopticon structure was found alight, around 8.40pm last night. One fire appliance was despatched and Lancashire Fire and Rescue report 5% damage to the plastic skirting of the Halo. The 18m diameter circular steel structure, dubbed 'the flying saucer', is sited above Haslingden at Top O' Slate and was part of £550,000 land reclamation and art project".

Two Twite feeding near to main entrance.....

2008-09-04T17:07:00.003+01:00

1530hrs-1700hrs

Birds: Swallow (8) 4+4 but local, Twite (2) near main entrance, Goldfinch (2), Linnet (7) at various points but 5 local to Higher Lane and feeding on either dock/thistle or nettle.. Meadow Pipit (2) overhead, Kestrel (1) local..

Flora: New site for Sneezewort (click over photo for supersize)

Swallow party heading South and first Grey Wagtail..

2008-09-03T12:56:00.006+01:00

0800hrs - 0930hrs. Again that autuminal foggy start with Cribden side completely fogged out and yet almost clear on the west side (click on photo).

Birds: Swallow (14) at least one party of 7 heading South, Meadow Pipit (2), Goldfinch (2) probably local, Kestrel (2) and displaying to one another almost over the Panoptican, and first Grey Wagtail calling and heading South....

Stonechat, Goldfinch and Linnet feeding together....

2008-09-02T10:28:00.005+01:00

0800hrs-1000hrs Again autuminal fog early on which clung around the East side obscuring Cribden etc. Birds: Linnet (15) with one party of 13, Meadow Pipit (16), Starling 2NE, Goldfinch (13) with one party of 10, Chaffinch (3), Stonechat (3), Swallow (2) local, Heron (1) local, BHG about 80 moving North through valley below... On turning into Higher Lane heading in the direction of Slate Farm, I immediately noticed the 3 Stonechat, 10 Goldfinch and 13 Linnet all in the same area feeding on Dock, Nettle and Thistle etc...

Crossbills & Wheatear

2008-09-01T15:01:00.014+01:00

0700-0830hrs - Again a typical gloomy fogged out autuminal early morning with vis down to 100 yards at times (click here). Nothing much going through:

Birds: Crossbill (2) paired and went local to Duckworth Clough Plantings. Pied Wagtail (1)S, Meadow Pipit (22) 17 blogging and then W & 6S, Robin (1) young still in juvenile plumage, Kestrel (1) probably local. Wheatear (1) on wall within 100 yards of Panopticon .... It is also now confirmed that per Saturday's indications - 95% of the Higher Lane Swallows have now left...

1300-1430hrs

Birds: Meadow Pipit (1) straight through S. Goldfinch (2) probably local, Linnet (2)

Insects: Small Tortoiseshell B (1) near Kirkhill Tollbar House. Green Veined White B (1).

Flora-Fungi. Vermillion Waxcap (Hygrocybe miniata) in field Kirkhill (click to see photo), (2) A 4" approx dia White Fungi Not identified yet (click here to see photo) (3) Small Brown Mushroom - Nr. Panopticon Not identified yet (click here to see photo)

Flora: Today I found what I think are 2 separate plants of Japanese Knotweed (click here to see photo)

Higher Lane Swallows on the ready.....

2008-08-30T11:18:00.005+01:00

0945hrs - 1100hrs -Birds: Meadow Pipit (11) 6 of these were blogging the others went straight through.. Goldfinch (7) but would suggest local, Swallow (11) 4 went through NW others South, and also another (15) which were gathering on the telephone lines at Higher Lane and possibly preparing for the "off" (click on photo). Linnet (10) one party 6west. Starling (7) first Starling party South this Autumn...

Flora: Himalayan Balsam, Privet flowerhead (click on photo)

Chaffinch On the Move .... Still Twite party..

2008-08-29T11:10:00.004+01:00

yesterday Thursday 28th Aug 2008 .... Rain and absolutely nothing on the move. 0730-0900hrs. Today Friday 29th Aug 2008 0900-1100hrs - Misty and vis down to 500 yards most of the time... Birds: Twite (16) one party feeding between Slate and Radio Mast. Meadow Pipit (5) Chaffinch (22) one party 11, one at 4 all moving directly South...Pied Wagtail (2) one pair heading SE. Swallows (4) all locals, Goldfinch (5), Robin (1), Kestrel (1), Sparrowhawk (1), Black Headed Gull (1). There are no signs of Willow Warblers this week, I think they have set off back... Insects: Green Veined White B (3).. Trees: Rowan, Pedunculate Oak.

Greater Periwinkle - first ever record for SD72

2008-08-24T09:56:00.001+01:00

It has now been confirmed by the Recorder that this is the Greater Periwinkle and that until now it has never been recorded before in the Lancashire Area of SD72. I fell upon the plant by pure chance on 2nd May 2007. The site is at the base of a small scotch pine coniferous tree and the tree base leaves of the Pine are sort of acting as a canopy and keeping the plant within the shade. The total area where they are growing covers about 2 metre diameter and in this area they are very sparsley spread. The actual flower has only been seen once (here photographed 2nd May 2007) and it was of a very feeble nature, in fact within a day it had almost withered. You are more than likely to see the glossy leaves which resemble the leaves of a privet bush. I checked it out again this year (2008), yet never saw any actual flowers, although the leaves had spread to a larger area. I checked on the site again yesterday and the undergrowth of various sub-grassess had well grown over the area and covered over the Greater Periwinkle leaves and unless you knew where it was you would never find it, although with parting of the grassess etc, the Periwinkle leaves where to be seen, clear and well.......

Great Spotted Woodpecker.... Curlew... Meadow Pipits blogging

2008-08-23T13:38:00.002+01:00

0730hrs-0900hrs. Still quiet on vismig. Meadow Pipits (2) on the move and (10) blogging... also Curlew (1W overhead), Goldfinch (5), Greenfinch (2), Magpie (4), Chaffinch (1), Greater Spotted Woodpecker (1) came in from South East... Willow Warbler (2), Wren (2), Woodpigeon (1). Lots of Black Headed Gulls crossing down below over Martin Croft Farm and heading North West.. at least 70 plus..

Insects: Large White B (1), Green Veined White B (4), Meadow Brown B (1)..

Flora: Field Pansy (Also photo, click on to enlarge)..

Birds of Prey Playground......& Twite..

2008-08-22T14:22:00.009+01:00

Wednesday 20th August & today Friday 22nd August 2008. Still very little showing as moving. On Wednesday last we were graced by a Common Gull feeding above Cribden End with some Lesser Black Backs (3). Greenfinch (2W), Goldfinch (1S), Kestrel (2) and one of them seen carrying large sized prey eg: Rat or similar size.. Bullfinch (1), Blue Tit (1), Black Headed Gull (1)

Insects:Green Veined White Butterfly (1) Flora: Common Scurvygrass..

Today... Friday 22nd August 2008. A very large feeding party of Twite (20-30) flying between Slate and Radio Mast, Greenfinch (3), Swallows (6 and local), Wood Pigeon (2), I am sure I heard a trace call from a Willow Warbler (1), Superb close ups of 2 Peregrines (one adult and one juvenile) at times the Juvenile was closing in on the adult and rollovers where seen. Also whilst watching the Peregrines I noticed there was at least four Kestrels in the bigger picture. Blue Tits (family party), Wren (2), Chaffinch (a family party), Raven (2 headed NE-SW), Magpie 2, A large party (80 approx) of mixed LBBG/Herring Gulls, Goldfinch (2).

Insects: Large White B (1), Meadow Brown B (1), Green Veined White B (8) - Flora: White Campion. (photo: White Campion - click on to enlarge)

Little Vismig - Red Bartsia...

2008-08-18T10:11:00.002+01:00

0730hrs-0900hrs - Raining: Only birds on visible migration where: Meadow Pipit (2), Linnet (1) and Goldfinch (1). Other birds: Linnet party of 6 at Slate Farm, Woodpigeon (1N), Pied Wagtail (1S), Wren (1), Bullfinch (1), Willow Warbler (1), Reed Bunting (1NE), 1 LBBG heading South.

Flora: Red Bartsia (photo Red Bartsia - click to enlarge)

Swift & Collard Dove moving straight through and South

2008-08-15T16:50:00.002+01:00

0800-1000hrs Tried an hour or so of vismig (visible migration) this morning, but had hardly anything. There still little on the move... Birds: Swift (1), House Martin (6) and local, Swallow (6) and local, Linnet (5), Woodpigeon (2), LBBG (35S), Goldfinch (4) and local, Meadow Pipit (6) straight through. Kestrel (1) and probably local, Collared Dove (1S) Straight through South, Robin (1), Wren (1), Bullfinch (1) and calling, Willow Warbler (2) and calling, Chaffinch (1), Greenfinch (3), also one Willow Warbler calling from Higher Lane. Insects: Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly (1) on Ragwort, Large White Butterflies (4), Green Veined Butterfly (18), Meadow Brown Butterfly (3)

Willow Warblers (2) still present and found Meadowsweet

2008-08-14T14:48:00.006+01:00

1300-1400hrs Very quiet. Birding: Willow Warbler (2 only calling today), Pied Wagtail (1), Swallow (6) local, Meadow Pipit (6W), Blue Tits (4 -2 were juv), Robin (1), Linnet (2), Kestrel (1) probably local, Sparrowhawk (1 near Slate Farm), Lesser Black Backed Gulls (39 mainly South & Local). Insects: Meadow Brown Butterfly, pictured moth with Ragwort as yet unidentified. (1). Flora: Meadowsweet

Small Heath Butterfly & Chicory,Red Campion etc..

2008-08-11T14:08:00.004+01:00

Birds: Linnet one party of (12 S), also a single. Chaffinch (4), Still 3 Willow Warblers singing a couple in full song. 3 Goldfinch, about 30 Swallows low to the ground weaving in and out between the Ragwort in nearby field - probably local collection birds. Greenfinch (2) Sparrowhawk disturbed, Woodpigeon (2). Also a Willow Warbler between Slate Farm and Duckworth Clough...

Insects: Small Heath Butterfly, (1 and photographed here), Meadow Brown Butterfly (6), Green Veined White Butterfly (10), Large White Butterfly (2).

Flora: Hybrid of Red Campion.... and photo of Chicory recently introduced to Slate..

Red Admiral, Small Tortoishell, Curlew, Raven..

2008-08-08T15:44:00.005+01:00

Yesterday (Thursday August 7th 2008): Willow Warbler at least 5 calling, also another one on way up at Pitt Heads. Most Swifts (18approx) vacated area on Tuesday, just 2 left yesterday and today. Curlew heading West and calling. Swallow (2) local, Linnet (2W), Magpie, Robin, Chaffinch (2), Greenfinch (3). at least 50 plus LBBG heading either South or North. Insects: Large White Butterfly (3), Green White Butterfly (2), Meadow Brown (3). Today (Friday August 8th 2008): Raven above Slate being haressed by LBBG and watched doing rollovers to evade attack... Willow Warbler (3) 2 of which where in full song. Greenfinch (1), Chaffinch (2), Swallow (2 local), NO SWIFTS ALL GONE NOW (locals), Meadow Pipit (1), also 1 Willow Warbler calling from Pitt Head and 1 calling from Slate Farm.. Insects: Small Tortoiseshell (1 at Pitt Head on way up and only the 2nd I have seen this year!!), Red Admiral (1 at Pitt Head on way up - and first seen this year!!), Large White Butterflies (5), Green Veined Butterfly (15), Small Skipper (2) Meadow Brown Butterfly (6), Common Darter Dragonfly (1)...

A Pair of Stonechats on the Walls......

2008-08-06T11:37:00.002+01:00

A pair of Stonechat on the approach walls was todays highlight. Still 3 calling Willow Warblers, Linnet (5), Robin (2), Blackbird (1 male), Woodpigeon (2), approx 70 LBBG most going South to forage the refuge tips and perhaps 6 going North. Carrion Crow (7)....

Click on image to supersize (Drone Fly)

Common Buzzard the highlight.....at 1100hrs

2008-08-04T20:12:00.004+01:00

Today we had a Common Buzzard high above Slate heading South, at times there was a Sparrowhawk closeby the Buzzard... All Meadow Pipits had cleared from the Walls but there where a single party of 8 birds moved directly South and another single bird which was going on the Westerley route... Linnets (7), Willow Warbler (4), Greenfinch (4), Blackbird, Robin, Blue Tits, Magpies.. Swift just one which went directly through South. Also had a immature Robin near to Slate Farm...

Insects: Meadow Brown Butterfly (5), Small White Butterfly (1), Green Veined Butterfly (1), Brown Darter Dragonfly.

Large-Flowered Evening Primrose

2008-08-02T17:13:00.007+01:00

Birds: 3 Willow Warblers calling from various parts of the Slate, Swallow several local, and 4 moving South, Linnet 5, Greenfinch 2, Kestrel 1, Meadow Pipit (20 blogging), Magpie 2, LBBG at least 20 overhead South.

Insects: Green Veined White Butterfly, Meadow Brown Butterfly (5). (Click on photos for supersize)

Meadow Pipit numbers starting to build up......

2008-08-01T13:15:00.005+01:00

Yesterday we had 2 Willow Warblers and 1 was in full song, but today there was none singing or no evidence of any still on site...Meadow Pipits are now building up on the walls and there was at least 40 present.... Linnet 4 (2 pairs), Chaffinch (1), Greenfinch (5), Swallows (4), Blackbird (1 male), Stock Dove (1), Robin (1), Goldfinch (1), approx 50 LBBG went over South.

Insects: Green Veined White Butterfly (1), Meadow Brown Butterfly (4), Drone Fly.

Flowers: 2 separate versions of Wild Pansy, Lesser Trefoil, Greater Burdock, Heather, Scented Mayweed, Large Flowered Evening Primrose.

Swifts, Redpoll & Pied Wagtail on passage.....

2008-07-30T09:53:00.008+01:00

Not much happening this last couple of days...

Birds: Willow Warbler - can only hear one single bird with short call. Also on site: Linnet (4), Greenfinch (2), Goldfinch (2), Blackbird (1 male), Robin (lots yesterday calling, only a couple today), probably some 100 LBBG passed South whilst I was at Slate, some of these where 1st year immature birds - probably tip foraging, but not sure whether there is any movement South or not, also Swifts - 3 went overhead South on passage, Pied Wagtail - 1 on passage South. Swallows - up to about 12 local birds... also a party of 4 Redpoll going South. Meadow Pipits now grouping on walls.

(photo: Hedge Woundwort)

Swallows & Willow Warblers on their way back...

2008-07-28T13:38:00.004+01:00

I got the immpression that a party of 4 Swallow & 1 House Martin where without doubt moving through.... also a lone Willow Warbler, a long long way from normal WW habitat looked that it could well have been a bird at rest which had arrived during the night.... also a party of 5 Meadow Pipit went straight through heading South.....

Other probable resident birds: Goldfinch (2), Linnet (6), Meadow Pipit (1), Swallow (2), Willow Warbler (3), Chaffinch (2), Woodpigeon (2), Robin (2) and overhead Carrion Crow (4) and LBBG (2) and BHG (1). Resident Swifts are still here.

Insects: Six Spot Burnet Moth, Meadow Brown Butterfly (15), Large White Butterfly (6) Click on photo for supersize .... Large Skipper Butterfly (3), Small Skipper Butterfly, (3), Small White Butterfly (3),

Large Brown Hawker Dragonfly.

Narrow-Bordered 5 Spot Burnet Moth & Aeshna Grandis Dragonfly

2008-07-26T19:15:00.006+01:00

Birds: Willow Warblers up to 5 calling with only single notes, 2 Goldfinch, 1 Linnet, only 1 Greenfinch today, Blackbird (1 male), Woodpigeon 2, Swift 6 overhead, Swallow 2 overhead-local, LBBG perhaps about 100 moving South above Slate whilst I was there (11am-1pm), also a Willow Warbler near Slate Farm and also a Speckled Wood Butterfly.

Insects: Large White Butterfly (3), Small White Butterfly (1), Meadow Brown Butterfly (12), Large Skipper Butterfly (2) Brown Dragonfly - Aeshna Grandis, Narrow-Bordered 5 Spot Burnet Moth. Click on photos to see supersize photos

Small Tortoishell Butterfly - 1st this Summer

2008-07-25T15:57:00.007+01:00

This last couple of days seem to have produced many Greenfinch mainly flying about in pairs, but plenty of them (teens to score)....a few Meadow Pipits on the margins, and possibly some gathering taking place on the walls... About 4 Swifts flying above the Slate, but still seeing a large party of about 20 birds on my way up to Slate which are without doubt the Haslingden Central main contingent.. 2 calling Willow Warblers, Blackbird, Robin, Linnet. Click on images to see Supersize image

Insects: Small Tortoishell Butterfly feeding on Ragwort (Hurray!!! first this Summer) Large Skipper (5) (See photo), Meadow Brown (12) Large White (3), Also a small white butterfly but unable to confirm which species... Black Bean Aphids just under the head of the "Creeping Thistle" (see photo) gave the appearance that the flower had been burnt... lots of them on several flowers in the same area- same place on flower - a inch or so under the flowerhead... also Cicadella Viridis (Turqoise Leafhopper)

1st Meadow Pipit Return South......

2008-07-23T17:19:00.007+01:00

1000hrs - 1115hrs - Still very little going on, but did have our first MEADOW PIPIT on direct passage going South.. also had another Meadow Pipit on site with a bill full of food.. 2 Willow Warblers calling (only their single calls..) about 20 Swifts circling overhead (Haslingden residents - I think!!) A pair of Greenfinch, 2 pair Linnet, 1 Pied Wagtail, up to 50 LBBG or Herring Gull circling above and continually going through either North or South (tip foraging!!). Up to 30 Meadow Brown Butterflies and 1 Small Skipper on Common Spotted Orchid (See photo)....

A couple more nice flowers, not identified yet.

(Click on photo to see larger photo)

Vipers Bugloss.... Pineapple Mayweed and lots more.....

2008-07-21T13:01:00.006+01:00

There are several new species of flora started to appear at the Entrance car park area and obviously these are new introduced flowers from the more recent reclamation works. I am currently photographing several species and will include within the list very soon. Here we have a photograph of the the Vipers Bugloss (Echium vulgare ). It was also nice to see the Pineapple Mayweed as also returned to the site where until now the species had been lost with the reclamation works. The Common Spotted Orchid is now well past its best.

Insects: This morning we had about 5 Meadow Brown Butterflies

Birds: Several Swifts and Swallows hawking, A Bullfinch calling from nearby Yonne Cottage, Willow Warbler single call, pair of alarmed Blackbirds, Robin, Blue Tits

Top O'th' Slate Caves & Non Drying Varnish

2008-07-19T15:02:00.006+01:00

During the 1950’s I remember there being at the old Top O’th Slate Quarry two cave entrance holes to its East side, it was always rumoured that these two caves if traversed would eventually give access and join up with the caves on the other side of Cribden (Cridden = hill of stags) at Pinner (Crawshawbooth). More than one person used to speak of this, but I have yet to meet anyone who as actually travelled this so called route and personally I find it very hard to believe, that the Caves could have possibly covered the great distance necessary and to what point would it have achieved? and I think it is probably more a case of a wishful thinking exercise…… during the 1970s approx, the Cave entrances where blocked over for obvious safety reasons. Originally the caves where formed as a result of mining/quarrying operations for which I presume would have been the Haslingden Plastic Brick & Tile Company, where quarrymen/miners would go into the caves and bring out the shale aggregate which would have been the raw material to make Bricks for the building trade. Going back to the 1950’s, this old Quarry was being used as a industrial tip, and often, a beige coloured slurry was somedays poured into the quarry bottom, some sort of waste, at other times I would see carpet and underlay remnants, and sometimes tins of paint (by their hundreds), having been dumped there by McPhersons paint manufacturers of Bury (better known by their trade name of Johnstones Paint). I remember as a young boy once taking several tins home with me when we lived at Hud Hey area of Haslingden, the tins which bore the wording “varnish” and I decided with my parents permission to set too and varnish coat the four dining room chairs. Several days later and the chairs where still as wet as when I varnished them. You can imagine this did not go down well with my parents. Obviously the reason the varnish was on the tip!!.

Some true Historical Notes on the Haslingden Plastic Brick Company

2008-07-18T14:10:00.008+01:00

Top o’ th’ Slate A new brick company for Haslingden - A company has been formed with a capital of £2,000 to acquire, refurnish and work the Slate Brick Works, formerly worked by the owner Mr. John Greenwood. Operations are expected to commence a month hence. Messrs. D. Halstead, E. Schofield, W. H. Blaney, E. Barlow, H. Tattersall, H. Hall, A. Bailey, and James Watt are the princupal shareholders at present. [Ramsbottom Observer 7th February 1896] Haslingden Plastic Brick and Tile Co. - The works of this company were opened at The Slate, Haslingden, on Saturday, by the ceremony of christening the engine. In the absence of the chairman, Mr. Albert Warburton, Cllr. Waite, the vice-chairman of the company, called upon Mrs. Edward Schofield to christen the engine. She did so by breaking a bottle of champagne. The works have been acquired by the company from the Bury Banking Co. The shale is extensive and of good quality, and with the new machinery which has been put in the company expect to work on easier terms than their neighbours, the old works having merely needed new machinery and certain adaptations to modern requirements. [Ramsbottom Observer 8th May 1896] The Haslingden Plastic Brick and Tile Co. was wound up on 13th October 1898. A new company was formed in the same year called the New Haslingden Plastic Brick Co. This was wound up on 19th September 1900. Valuable Brick Works and Stone Quarry for Sale as a going concern TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION, by Mr. Ralph Greenwood, F.A.I., at the Commercial Hotel, Haslingden, on Wednesday, November 7th, 1900, at seven o’clock in the evening, subject to the general conditions of the Manchester Incorporated Law Association, and to such Special Conditions as shall be produced at the time of sale. THE BRICK WORKS AND STONE QUARRY, situate at Top o’ th’ Slate, Haslingden, recently held by the New Haslingden Plastic Brick Co. Ltd., with the fixed and loose Brickmaking and Quarry Plant, comprising:- ALL THOSE PLOTS OF LAND at Top o’ th’ Slate aforesaid, containing together 14 acres 39 perches, or thereabouts. There are several hundred yards of valuable rock already bared, and the face of rock and slate combined is some 60 feet in depth. This property is Copyhold of the Manor of Accrington Old Hold, and is subject to the ordinary copyhold incidents and nominal Lord’s rent. The mineral rights are claimed by the Lords of the said Manor, and are now enjoyed by arrangement with them or their lessees, a small Annual Sum being paid therefore, 2 Large Water Reservoirs, holding capacity 200,000 and 100,000 gallons respectively. THE BUILDINGS, consisting of Brickmaking Departments arranged for six machines and screening stage, Boiler House and Round Chimney Stack, 90 ft. high; fixed riveted Iron Cistern, extending over Boiler House, holding capacity 30,000 gallons, Engine House, Mechanics’ Shop, Smith’s Shop, and wood erected offices. THE KILNS, consisting of Patent continuous 16-Chambered Kiln (holding capacity 128,000), 4 Downdraught Kilns (holding capacity 84,000), and square built brick chimneys. MOTIVE POWER, ETC., including Steam Boiler 30 ft. by 8 ft., and Mountings by Daniel Adamson, Tangye’s Patent Pump, Horizontal High Pressure Steam Engine, 20 in. cylinder, 18 in. stroke, and patent exhaust Injector with 7 ft. unbreakable Belt Pulley, 16 in. on face; 90 ft. Cotton Driving Belt, 14 in. wide and leather and other Belting, Main Shafting, Gearing, Steam and Water Piping. THE PLANT AND MACHINERY, consisting of Tramways as laid from face of shale to screening and grinding room, together with Steam Hauling Gear and Waggons, Clay Grinding and Mixing Mills, with 9 foot Pan by Johnson, and ditto. 8 ft. by Alexander, and Elevators in connection therewith, Pug Mill by Johnson, 3 re-press Brickmaking Machines by C. Whittaker & Co. Ltd., recently new; Johnson’s Plastic Brickmaking Machine. Steam or Hand Press by Pullan and Mann, together with a large quantity of Dies and Boxes for all machines. CONTENTS OF MECHANICS’ SHOP, including Planing Machine and Tools by Louden Bros., Glasgow, Patent Self-acting upright Drilling Machine by The Davis and Egan Machine Co., Vertical Donkey Engine, small horizontal Engine, Grindstone and Frame, Mechanics’ Tools, Stocks, Taps and Dies, Benches, Racks and Tools, Smith’s Hearth, Anvil, Swages, Hammers, Hand drill, etc. EGG END BOILER, 13 ft. 6 in. by 4 ft. 10 in., used as a water reserve; MORTAR MILL, STEAM CRANE by J. Hargreaves, Rawtenstall, and wire rope for same; One HAND-CRANE; Timber-made waggon road, with rails and sleepers for baring purposes; End and side tip waggons; wire hauling rope; wheel plates; buckling chains, bars and picks; 21 brick and box barrows, ladders, planking and timber. A large quantity of blue slates, office furniture and safe by J. Grove, Birmingham, 36 in. by 26 in; general stores and loose effects. For further particulars, apply to the Auctioneer, 21, Bury-road, Haslingden, and at no. 5 Pillar, Royal Exchange, Manchester; or to Messrs Whittaker & Hibbert, Solicitors, Haslingden. [Ramsbottom Observer 2nd November 1900]

Thanks to John Simpson, for supplying this superb information on the Haslingden Plastic Brick Company.

Another photo of Haslingden Plastic Bricks (click here) as kindly supplied by Mr. Douglas Newton

62 species of Moths recorded so far.....

2008-07-18T09:56:00.001+01:00

We have in more recent times been recording moths at the Top O'th' Slate and taking part besides myself have been, Charles Payne, Arlene Harris, Ina Smith, and Jim Ormerod. So far we have managed to record 62 species:-

Chimney Sweeper, Cinnabar Moth – (Caterpiller), The Snout, Latticed Heath, Swallowtailed, Smoky Wainscot, Gold Spot, Clouded Border, Dark Arches, Antler Moth, Purple Bar, Small Phoenix, True Lover’s Knot, Iron Prominent, Mother Of Pearl, Twin Spot Carpet, Lesser Broad Bordered Yellow Underwing, Grey Dagger, Common Rustic, Phoenix, Small Phoenix, Marbled Minor, Large Yellow Underwing, Lesser Yellow Underwing, Autumnal Rustic, Common Marbled Carpet (2 different forms), Pink Barred Sallow, Angle Shades, Flame Carpet, Rosy Rustic, Square Spot Rustic, Grey Pine Carpet, Willow Beauty, Acleris emargana, Ingrailed Clay, Light Emerald, Beautiful Golden Y, Brimstone, Clouded Border Brindle - both forms, Coxcomb Prominent, Flame Shoulder, Peach Blossom, Small Magpie (micro), Clouded Silver, Peppered Moth, Common White Wave, Plain Golden Y, Dusky Brocade, Scoparia ambigualis (most were the dark grey form), Marbled Minor type - could be ark form of Marbled, Rufous or Tawny Marbled, Heart and Dart, Small Square-spot, Silver-ground Carpet, Burnished Brass, Dark Spectacle, Crambus lathoniellus, Swammerdamia pyrella (possibly), Brown Spot Pinion.

Click here if you want to view more pictures of some of the above moths

Common Spotted Orchid

2008-07-17T20:02:00.000+01:00

Most of the birdlife is quiet with very few calling birds at present, just the odd sporadic part song of a Warbler . The continual rain is certainly not helping in regards to insects. There is a nice cluster of Common Spotted Orchid and the remnant of some Ragged Robin.