Nature Watch, with Ron Freethy

THIS week I have been walking through history and natural history.

One of our regular contributors to Nature Spy is Vincent Taylor and he often reports sightings around Gawthorpe in Padiham.

The morning dawned bright and clear as I strolled through the woodlands which were at their best with the white blossoms of daisy forming a delightful contrast with the shining yellow of the celandine and the delicate blue of the speedwell.

Further into the shade of the woodlands bluebells were just beginning to become dominant and the candle-like blossoms of the horse chestnut were starting to develop.

A few years ago the River Calder running through Gawthorpe Hall and Padiham was far too mucky to attract wildlife but how things have changed. Swallows were everywhere and a heron was wading in the shallows. One of the most beautiful buildings in Lancashire is Gawthorpe Hall, home of the Shuttleworth (and later the Kay-Shuttleworth) families from the 15th century until the 1970's. Since then the house and gardens have been lovingly cared for by the National Trust and the County Council.

The fabric of the house and the world famous textile collection are both in good condition and open to the public. At the present time the ancient barn is being restored and will make an extra attraction for visitors.

The view of the Hall which most people see in magazines is the front which is surrounded by neatly manicured gardens. I love this view too, but the rear of the Hall from the riverside is equally attractive. I strolled by the river listening to the water running over a bed of pebbles. This sound blended with the drone of bumble bees feeding on the nectar of dandelions while the spring song of robin, willow warbler, blackbird and song thrust added to the joy.

Gawthorpe is a friendly place and the attractions are hard to beat. Throughout the summer special events are being organised but the House is open daily (except Monday and Friday) until October 31. The grounds and woodlands are free and open daily.

Letters to Ron

DEAR Ron,

It's nice at this time of year, seeing the little ducklings, cygnets and goslings appear on the park lake. But this year, we have a new friend on our lake. A barnacle goose (from Scotland). But something unusual has happened, the barnacle goose has paired up with a Canada goose and have been seen "mating!" WIll these eggs be fertile?

L BARON (Mrs), Queens Road, Blackburn.

Ron's Reply:

The attempted mating of two different species is not at all usual but the chances of any eggs laid being fertile would be much like winning the lottery six weeks in succession.

The fact that the two birds are so friendly, however, is well worth recording.

DEAR Mr Freethy,

We were driving near an industrial estate at Whitebirk when I saw a green bird about 18 inches in height with long legs and neck with a green crest on its head, we turned the car around but it had gone, do you know what it was please? Also is this a record? We have numerous ducks laying every year round our front pond and garden and I have just escorted 21 ducklings and mother down to the brook behind our house.

I counted them twice as I had to catch them with a net from the pond. I do this every year as the mother duck can't get them out on her own.

JUDITH BALL (Mrs), Preston Road, Ribchester.

Ron's reply:

I must confess that I'm stumped by the "green bird" and I wonder if anybody has an idea.

With regard to the 21 ducklings I'm fairly clear what has happened. Ducks do have very large clutches but females will accept other lost ducklings and add them to her own brood.

My guess is that some ducklings from another brood had fallen into the pond and one mother duck was "panicking" for them all. The other female will have been somewhere else tending to a reduced brood. Many other species of wildfowl also operate what is best described as a creching system.

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