THE other day I came across a photograph of a gamekeepers gibbet. It was used in Gisburn Hall Estate in 1903, an area now occupied by Gisburn Park Hospital.
We can never be sure whether to spell it Gisburne or to leave off the 'e' as folklore suggests that the evil Guy of Gisburne did not get on well with Robin Hood.
Judging by the gamekeeper in the photograph, he did not get on well with local wildlife. Most landowners insisted their keepers killed any creature with talons, a hooked beak or showed any indication to feed on the game.
Keepers were paid bonuses when the master passed by and counted the corpses on the gibbet. This sort of gamekeeper is almost, but sadly not quite, extinct.
We should not fall into thinking that gamekeepers were stupid killers; it takes a great deal of skill to catch and kill wary birds such as the crow, buzzard, jay, sparrowhawk, kestrel and peregrine.
Some mammals such as domestic cats, weasels and stoats are perhaps even more difficult to destroy. Just how good them old gamekeepers were is realised when we see that pine marten, and wild cat have long gone.
Places like Catlow Bottoms between old Nelson and Burnley indicate that here was once the haunt of cat. The presence of a gamekeepers gibbet has faded into history but the display of dead moles are still displayed by a few. Occasionally in Pendle, moles can be seen hung on barbed wire fences. They are said to damage field drains but old-time keepers were convinced they ate the eggs of birds such as pheasant and grouse.
Thankfully, these days, we have a 'live and let live' approach but it would be unwise not to record these examples of the countryside at work.
Along the Lune -- from Devil's Bridge
DEVIL'S Bridge at Kirkby Lonsdale is one of the finest packhorse bridges to be found anywhere in England.
It is reached directly on the A65, via the M6, as well as from the A59 to Gisburn and than along the A65 through Long Preston and Settle.
The Lune in Spring can be enjoyed by following the footpath from Devil's Bridge to Kirkby Lonsdale. There is a 'bacon butty' van and good toilet and parking facilities on each side of the bridge.
This stretch of the river is otter country but the Lune Valley is also used as a migration route for birds. Here are swallows, lots of warblers and the pretty white rumped common sandpiper.
This is also the place to enjoy spring flowers including primrose, cowslip, lords and ladies and the common violet.
The Lune is at its best between April and June, especially after rain. At this time the water crashes over the rocks and white foam is whipped up. Oxygen is bubbled into the water and accounts for the large population of aquatic invertebrates.
These provide food for resident birds such as dipper and grey wagtail. The fish feed on these creatures and the fish provide food for the local kingfisher and heron.
There is a delightful circular walk, which passes through Kirkby Lonsdale town with its church, markets, pubs, cafes and bookshops, all within easy range and sight of beautiful countryside.
Apart from the usual food outlets, this riverside ramble provides lots of places to picnic and watch birds. I watched swallows, house martins, sand martins and my first swift of the year.
Don't waste any of your free time during April and May because the countryside is changing by the hour!
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