Bog Asphodel - The Yellow, star shaped flowers with woolly orange-tipped stamens start appearing in early summer, turning deeper orange as they fruit into Autumn. Prefers damp, peaty soils.
Common cotton-grass- Often mistaken for sheep's wool, the fluffy, white seed heads blow in the wind brining the hills to life in late spring. Each stem has multiple drooping seed heads. Historically common cotton-grass was used to dress wounds, and stuff pillows.
Female Hen Harrier ('Ringtails') - red listed under the Birds of Conservation concern. Female's are slim, and brown above and streaky below with a white rump and banded tail.
Male Hen Harrier - Stand out blue-grey colour body, with a white rump, pale underside and black wing tips. Found hunting over heath for small upland birds such as meadow pipits and small mammals such as mice. They will also prey on red grouse, hare's and lizards.
Hare's tail cotton-grass - Easily mistaken for common cotton-grass, however distinguishable due to tis one greyish-white fluffy seed head (like a hare's tail). The cottony seed hairs have been used to make candle wicks historically.
Fir clubmoss - Primitive plant found in rocky, heathland and upland habitats. It has tufted stems, that make it look like tiny conifers. Often found on or near exposed and disturbed sites. They are members of an ancient group of plants.
Bell Heather - Carpets of this species will start turning our upland areas purple from June until September. names for its bell shaped flower, which is often darker in colour than the other two species of heather. Distinguished by its needle like leaves that sit in threes, and flowers that grow all around the stem. A favourite with pollinators on the hills and in our gardens.
Eurasian Curlew - The largest European wading bird makes our uplands its home in spring and summer, before returning to the coastlines over winter. This red listed status bird is distinctive due to its brown camouflaging plumage, long downward curved bill and bubbling display call.
