tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50994975656455049902012-01-28T12:27:41.699ZBlacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.comBlogger15261100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-87129970540379901862012-01-28T12:17:00.005Z2012-01-28T12:27:41.705Z

Impressive the headgear may be, but the warm scarf is more useful when winter does come. Badgers would find meagre pickings and might wish they had stayed in bed.

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-16471414729895723862012-01-26T16:31:00.003Z2012-01-26T16:38:14.365Z

Previously avoided because of the intrusion of the hated power line a whole new area becomes available for the painter and photographer. This is as clear an argument as you could get for the supremacy of a natural feeling in the landscape.

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-77139728369478107412012-01-25T13:21:00.000Z2012-01-26T16:23:47.710Z

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-84668501099050665582012-01-24T16:34:00.008Z2012-01-26T10:30:13.095Z

There's not much that's as boring as a grouse moor. So the twigs of small shrubby birch and rowan that push up through the heather are a welcome addition bringing some variety. Though it has to be said that those who claim (falsely)to speak for wildlife do not like these natural and wilder intrusions in the artificiality they promote. The small trees are there because for many years sheep have

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-83660089914946949832012-01-19T12:07:00.002Z2012-01-19T12:11:09.827Z

Now we've got rid of the power lines the next target is to remove the barbed wire; unless, that is, the long term plan is to turn much of the local moorland into a prison camp theme- park for wildlife.

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-84620283737979441942012-01-14T11:43:00.005Z2012-01-19T17:17:36.292Z

Saturdays, from experience, are often when the weather breaks down after we’ve all been working indoors during the week aware of glorious sunshine outside. In recent months my impression is that it’s sometimes been the other way round. A cold start with white frost, a great sunrise, little or no wind and a cloudless sky is what we need in January to fend off the seasonal depression tendency. Even

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-44035148695666951602012-01-13T15:03:00.015Z2012-01-15T07:08:29.402Z

When Sheffield Wildlife Trust sprayed the bracken on this part of Blacka Moor in August last year they must have known that the spray they were using, Asulam, was about to be banned by the European Union; that ban came into force on January 1st. From what I’ve seen the result of bracken spraying is unattractive and should not be continued. Bracken, as I’ve written before, is a problem in areas

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-31805288188630175812012-01-13T14:35:00.007Z2012-01-16T13:58:55.472Z

The relentless rise in illicit mountain biking activity is set to cause significant and increasing damage to some of our favourite places in times to come and has already done so. There seems to be a total absence of responsible authority prepared to intervene to stop or limit the harm being caused. We pay more money each year to public servants who inside the system cannot act with the

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-86518185852149181482012-01-12T10:04:00.011Z2012-01-14T14:51:37.594Z

Practicality in clothing revolves around weather and temperature. Thick clothes for cold spells and so on. Deer put on lots of extra layers at the first signs of cold weather. Lately they've not been needed. So the scruffy appearance could mean a moult. Alternatively it could mean simple wear and tear from movement through wilder parts of the woods. It's unlikely to be a human-inspired fad such

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-36192963629422721092012-01-07T15:47:00.008Z2012-01-07T16:15:13.658Z

While it's true that many people walk over Blacka and rarely if ever see the deer, those who look carefully get to know where the likely places are. They are large animals and it's not like the process of tracking down small mammals, reptiles, or even badgers. Nevertheless deer prefer to stay hidden if they can which is why they like the woodland and the woodland edge.The penetrating winds this

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-59992238666715143612012-01-06T16:51:00.012Z2012-01-22T15:44:26.880Z

Sheffield Moors Partnership claims to exist to ensure a unified approach across the whole of the moorland to the west of Sheffield. It is supposed to be doing this through a plan - a 'Master Plan', no less. One of the reasons for scepticism about this is that the Eastern Moors Partnership, a core member of SMP has gone ahead with its own plans irrespective and only months before the supposed

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-78249884706901648572012-01-06T10:40:00.003Z2012-01-06T10:49:55.486Z

With no cows and the power line all but gone Blacka Moor has a cleaner feel to it. It's as if all those reminders of flawed human interventions are distanced and all is more natural. We don't need to go far to see evidence that those things are still around but for the moment, this morning's fresher colder air coincided with plentiful evidence of what there is to gain from a less managed

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-55399748702220036022012-01-05T12:59:00.001Z2012-01-09T13:00:21.879Z

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-34086778214986980322012-01-04T20:02:00.005Z2012-01-04T20:14:15.157Z

It was to be expected that SWT would want to publicise the removal of the power lines. I don’t wish to be mean to them, they are quite capable of being their own worst enemies. And in this case they are careful not to claim all credit for the project. But I can’t help remembering the RAG meeting when I first raised the idea of looking into the undergrounding. It was met with indifference by SWT

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-5809525655639158352012-01-02T10:34:00.006Z2012-01-07T16:29:17.375Z

A mild January 1st and a mistle thrush was singing in the new year. Several big stags were in the woods.Today was colder and brighter with a fine sunrise and a dusting of snow but the mistle was still at it. Several prints to be seen includinga a fox.

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-11707327097429081132012-01-02T06:52:00.006Z2012-01-07T14:15:07.932Z

What do we mean by the word natural in the context of landscape and countryside and in particular the landscape of the moors around Sheffield? Those who want to lead us by the nose are fond of trying to use words in their own fashion and define them as suits their purpose. We’ve had plenty of evidence of this already from Sheffield Moors Partnership for instance in their use of words like ‘wild’

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-69374879119664887502011-12-31T14:37:00.006Z2012-01-02T18:55:53.933Z

A ruminative pose for one reflecting on the end of one year and the beginning of another.It doesn’t feel right to start a new year in a spirit of bleak expectations, especially this one. Dickens bicentenary is in February and to be celebrated, but the prospect is bleak for those who deplore the spread of manageritis across the local countryside. Not that we’ve yet come across Magwitch in

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-36737581064616005302011-12-28T16:02:00.003Z2011-12-29T07:11:57.307Z

It’s wise to use these days between Christmas and New Year for total relaxation. And those who’ve had a busy and sometimes stressful time during October should use the time to remove themselves from family contacts and recover a sense of repose. There are too many pressures and responsibilities bearing on us all these days. Surrounded by the deep and thick cover that Blacka provides well there's

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-77801536796135923492011-12-25T20:06:00.004Z2011-12-25T20:20:35.328Z

Back in view and good to see today.

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-44184483468411033482011-12-23T12:36:00.008Z2011-12-23T13:02:33.722Z

I like the sentence referring to a wilder looking landscape. Wouldn't it be nice if SWT genuinely thought that was worthwhile? They might then remove the other intrusive blots on the landscape starting with their own trademark barbed wire. Instead of which they are planning even more farm style intervention, starting with a Farm Environment Plan as designated by Unnatural England leading to

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-56270086108912532242011-12-23T12:20:00.003Z2011-12-23T12:29:31.360Z

Usually the City of Sheffield erects a large Christmas Tree near the Town Hall. It's to be found somewhere in the above picture. If I had the cash I would give a prize - Spot the Ball fashion.

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-31234743397750913252011-12-21T12:52:00.005Z2011-12-22T10:18:29.438Z

More awareness was raised but not much transparency demonstrated at the SW CA meeting on Thursday. Sheffield Moors Partnership (I still can’t believe it exists or is even proposed) gave a brief presentation accompanied by two papers in the assembly’s bundle prepared by officers for the meeting. These contained recommendations that the assembly should “welcome and support the Sheffield moors

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-74428282823044698262011-12-21T10:40:00.007Z2011-12-23T12:33:46.303Z

Being free spirits there's no predicting when and where you will meet the deer. They have their own ideas. Several weeks went by at the end of November until just three days ago with no sight of them. This morning they were out of the woods early as if welcoming the higher temperatures. A small herd of five, two of them less than a year old, allowed us to get close . The pattern is getting to be

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-60038976516471089732011-12-19T13:46:00.003Z2011-12-19T13:57:35.125Z

This morning there were four and they looked to be older ones. Not easy to get any kind of photo at that time in trees as well. But as we came along the path the biggest one sailed effortlessly over the barbed wire. There is such grace about the manouevre that it stays in the mind long afterwards. How do they do it? There's no predicting how uneven the ground is under the shrubs on the other side

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-60936998700557208672011-12-18T17:10:00.004Z2011-12-18T17:17:16.095Z

Half an hour before sunrise on Sunday is quiet enough. The click turned out to be two young stags jousting just visible through the trees. The other one of the three raised the alarm and rushed off. An hour later they were found wandering above the upper path.

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-60514272435103417202011-12-16T17:13:00.005Z2011-12-16T17:24:46.268Z

Breakfast is served between 8.30 and 9.00. Delays can occur due to weather conditions. Management can accept no responsibility...etc...

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-40004709175992485672011-12-14T14:12:00.004Z2011-12-14T14:19:41.324Z

Those who walk over Blacka with eyes open (not to be taken for granted) will notice that here there is a difference. What we did see, an intrusive straight line across the centre of the view, has gone and the picture shows the scene only hours after its disappearance.Fears that vehicles would be brought onto the moor have proved groundless. The poles have been sawn off.The cable proves to be more

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-18412218041499293102011-12-13T12:55:00.003Z2011-12-13T13:07:57.845Z

A recent post referred to the article on the Self Willed Land website, Forests, Rocks and Torrents. Torrents are an experience of wild nature that can inspire. If that is what appeals then we can offer a modest experience now, welcome after the months of dry weather. There are of course certain problems in getting close as the slopes are slippery with dead leaves and rocks that rarely see

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-74694856253157567312011-12-13T12:47:00.003Z2011-12-13T12:54:32.812Z

Leaving it a bit late in the season to make a show, this specimen looks like Sulphur Tuft, but I plump for Brick Cap, Hypholoma sublateritium. Good to see as there's little around, but not to be eaten, and that goes for anything that has any resemblance to Sulphur Tuft

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-35337050628047499092011-12-13T10:43:00.003Z2011-12-13T10:47:18.740Z

Here's a job that could be enjoyable and, in this case at least, you can do it out in the peace and quiet of the countryside.And no vehicles or ladders deemed to be necessary so far here so let's hope this is the way things will go.

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-36071883664993560362011-12-12T12:18:00.006Z2011-12-16T23:28:02.936Z

As the sun rises in the south east, on the opposite side the moon looks down on what could be the last week of the power line at this point. Now you see it....This section may take longer to remove and the mess created could be dreadful. The easy bit has been done with work accessible from the hard track below Stony Ridge. Even so we certainly know they've been here.

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-82388097065756704702011-12-12T12:03:00.004Z2011-12-12T19:14:30.754Z

Some more information about the Sheffield Moors Partnership has now come to light.A consultation of a kind will be held next year albeit not the kind which will satisfy those who think consultations should be meaningful with opportunities to discuss and consider seriously the important issues. They’ve been working away, as consultation designers do, trying to come up with a process which will

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-91032654304027530312011-12-10T14:53:00.005Z2011-12-11T12:10:05.391Z

Mark Fisher is consistently the most thought-provoking writer on landscape and conservation matters and his regular series of articles on his Self-Willed Land website display a deep understanding of and identification with genuine natural landscapes and their wildlife and considerable knowledge and expertise of ecosystems here and abroad. In writing about this he always hits home in a penetrating

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-68459101423956478052011-12-08T12:57:00.003Z2011-12-08T13:05:01.541Z

There was something not quite normal about the extended season of dry weather. So it was in way comforting to hear the roar of water pouring over the rocks.The YEDL people were back after the snow though again only sitting in vans with engines running reading papers. We didn't stay to see what time they start work.

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-73245401031946176412011-12-06T16:20:00.005Z2011-12-06T19:04:01.805Z

What is it about paths going through woods? Whatever it may be snow enhances it and sun on snow more so. Though the spectacle of fallen beech leaves is past bronze and gold remain as a low slanting sunlight reaches parts not usually lit up. Ferns and small beech picked out like this are more decorative than any city centre Christmas tree.

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-38515881915102518532011-12-06T07:57:00.006Z2011-12-06T08:11:23.438Z

More normal weather but the paths are taking more than a normal bashing. Two things are responsible for this being worse than necessary. Neither of them should be happening. One is mountain biking on paths including a concessionary bridleway that SWT ‘closes’ in winter but does not enforce the closure, simply puts up one of its trademark A4 laminated sheets and then goes back to the office.The

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-59242360423302455362011-12-05T11:59:00.004Z2011-12-06T12:20:32.975Z

The scarcity of frost and heavy rain has helped bracken to stay upright in its dead bronzed state into December. Only a week ago it was standing tall. Today’s wet snow will make a difference; it’s usually been forced down before this. There are large areas of bracken on Blacka and generally people don’t like it, seeing it as something undesirable and alien intruding onto the land. It’s rarely

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-80369950389853225132011-12-03T06:01:00.005Z2011-12-03T06:43:58.129Z

Opinions expressed here on the bureaucracy of landscape designations and directives from the EU and elsewhere are definitely not from an anti-nature or anti-wildlife perspective but from a desire to see more landscape untrammelled by management’s self-serving preoccupations. Not so Mr George Osborne, who this week said: "We will make sure that gold-plating of EU rules on things like habitats

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-25139087882780542662011-12-01T13:53:00.006Z2011-12-01T14:03:29.444Z

Do you or did you work in a sector? A lot of talk by politicians about sectors lately, usually public and private. Much of the comment seems to be highly questionable but that subject’s not what this blog is for. Another sector talked about is the charities sector which takes us closer to home. Charities are promoting themselves as managers of Blacka and surrounding spaces, though, as I’ve

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-39123067709693455582011-11-30T12:39:00.004Z2011-11-30T12:50:43.411Z

The latest news is the much awaited beginning of the power line removal. Several YEDL vehicles this morning were positioning themselves as the sun came round the woods. Will this be a good opportunity for spectators? We are taking bets on how long this will take. They can't afford to go slowly on the cable removal for reasons reported before. But the poles could take longer. The other question is

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-36293704753250490042011-11-29T15:17:00.003Z2011-11-29T15:48:24.342Z

In yesterday’s Guardian once more the issue of farm subsidies is raised, making the point I’ve often made about wildlife charities and their reliance on handouts from these subsidies that keep them tied in to managing our landscapes as boring farm land. Among the top blaggers are some voluntary bodies. The RSPB gets £4.8m, the National Trust £8m, the various wildlife trusts a total of £8.5m. I

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-82162300418809736462011-11-24T14:08:00.014Z2011-11-28T12:43:43.553Z

Now on first sight I thought this interesting attachment to one of the many Sheffield Wildlife Trust papers pinned to gates around the moor meant something like “No Cowpats Here, Thank You”. Doubtless the person responsible thought it amusing. It is. But following a little research I think that there could be more to it:When buying men’s socks over the internet you may come across this.An

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-3333358763845752352011-11-23T11:51:00.007Z2011-11-23T12:09:19.286Z

Seeing them through the mist standing by choice in the middle of a very large patch of thick bracken, with head down most of the time, it makes sense to believe that there is more to bracken as a habitat for deer than simply a great place to hide the young calves in summer. Deer are often to be found just so. Cattle are not often seen in the large patches of bracken or heather. When cattle have

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-16144814803606389112011-11-16T17:57:00.012Z2011-11-17T15:00:10.819Z

.....wombling free.The dreary turd-infested grassland of the sheep pasture has one redeeming feature best seen in an extended mild autumn such as this year’s. It becomes home to various fungi including examples of waxcaps over which mycologists have been known to get excited. Not that they are all edible, though some are. The lengthy dry spell in early autumn was not so productive on the

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-26455157038457428662011-11-16T14:32:00.009Z2011-11-16T18:11:29.580Z

.....wombling free.The poor old mole gets a bad name for his impact on ornamental gardens. He even gives his name to certain treacherous villains including one in a recently released film.( I doubt it’s as good as the version with Alec Guiness. )Moles share with fungi the fact that they live under the ground and yet proclaim their presence on the surface in a unique and identifiable way. It

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-27969092651611432722011-11-16T14:00:00.008Z2011-11-21T10:23:33.634Z

....wombling free...At some time unannounced and not be announced the contractors will arrive to begin the task of dismantling and removing the power line. I’ve no detail about how this will be done. Obviously the cable will go first and the reason for keeping quiet about the operation is to prevent targeting by metal thieves: once it’s known that the power has been switched off and is going

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-65190661266008784422011-11-14T11:07:00.020Z2011-12-15T08:19:25.488Z

……………………(Lend me your, er, gears?....ouch!)The quiet narrow paths of Blacka and similar local places are getting more attention from minority groups of mountain bikers who are not content with keeping to bridleways. Many of these paths are of soft peaty structure and the ruts caused by bikes eventually degrade them leading to progressive widening. The result can be seen all over the area. The

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-82522394942520832342011-11-13T10:28:00.005Z2011-11-13T10:50:29.160Z

It's appropriate that Bedouin tents should appear across the desert of Totley Moor whose conservation managed monoculture is about as alien a prospect as you could find in a temperate country.I imagine the land manager meddlers are harvesting seed and brash and baling it to aid a restoration project on some other unfortunate moor (Kinder?)where similar land management exploitation has contributed

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-32929596034970343772011-11-13T10:13:00.003Z2011-11-13T10:22:19.636Z

In time even the unpopular bracken settles its account.

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-50784984913530702072011-11-12T10:39:00.013Z2011-11-16T17:37:00.424Z

The contrast is striking. They are out there on the natural land rarely going on the paths. Meanwhile the paths are wretchedly strewn with the waste of cattle, who always prefer the paths, leaving their mark first by weight and size of hooves eroding the soft peat, then putting the finishing touches in the way they know best.What else can you expect from animals that have been specially bred to

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-85406839385939714782011-11-11T10:21:00.005Z2011-11-11T10:30:06.086Z

"What can you say about people who walk on places like this in such depressing conditions?" "Why bother? There is nothing whatever to see. It's wet under foot. The fog just gets thicker the further you go." "Mind you, it's just what I've always said about that man. He's completely mad. You would have to be mad to go across the moor on a morning like this, supposedly for pleasure!!. Pitiable

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-51305204803350089662011-11-11T05:27:00.004Z2011-11-11T05:55:25.289Z

Those agreeing with the argument that we should know how much of our money is going into farm subsidies should visit the website Farmsubsidy.org and read the piece here.This campaign is linked to another cross European initiative EU Transparency.org which is a non-profit organisation aiming "to shed light on how European Union institutions and policies are working." They have written to the

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-31826433431171141642011-11-10T16:35:00.011Z2011-11-15T10:03:03.027Z

When they are not planning the laying waste of more natural aspects of landscape at Blacka Moor, Sheffield Wildlife Trust's managers are poring over claims forms and grant applications and engaging in self-promotional activities on their own behalf. Those claims forms are now the target of the latest FoI requests this blog is sending in. Back in September a request was sent in to the Rural

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-90734297748238185322011-11-06T17:26:00.008Z2011-11-08T11:17:01.107Z

Is the Blacka management problem down to the fact that some people in management jobs just don’t think the same way?It was instructive to watch the BBC Tales from the National Parks documentary about the plucky villagers of Great Longstone and their struggle with the PDNPA. The park officers simply did not want to deal with the problem of off roaders on their local quiet lane. At the start the

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-11513457781627336872011-11-04T11:27:00.006Z2011-11-05T16:30:43.068Z

Now GMT has returned, the gloom of some November afternoons can be depressing. But a walk though the beeches is a tonic. Even when skies are overcast the leaves appear to glow from within.

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-76600378699844288402011-11-04T11:13:00.004Z2011-11-04T13:02:09.628Z

Time of sunrise is only relevant if the sun is actually seen to rise. These days it's around ten past seven and getting later by a couple of minutes each day. Heavy cloud makes it feel there's another hour or two to wait. On the more open parts of the moor it can seem gloomier than when you're among trees. But that can be the time of day when the herd of deer has ventured out to browse. Once our

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-4764204994986363922011-11-02T15:12:00.017Z2011-11-03T10:27:29.154Z

The emerging cartel calling itself Sheffield Moors Partnership, marshalled by eager officers of the local National Trust, wanted each of the officers attending early meetings to get agreement 'at director level' in their respective bureaucracies for the statement called the 2025 Vision. This is not, as might be assumed, the result of an awayday trip to Specsavers but a rather gushing collection

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-526004161919830812011-10-31T22:35:00.015Z2011-11-01T17:40:59.374Z

Last year, 2010Second, this year, 2011Clicking on the images will give a better view. I'm aware that the small number of images could be seen as selected to display a certain point of view, (not something that local conservation officers would ever dream of doing of course). I'm doing the best I can to correct that temptation by uploading a more varied collection of photos, with each image larger

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-46561246293334073672011-10-30T10:07:00.006Z2011-10-30T10:13:23.122Z

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-4970935274284911282011-10-29T23:07:00.003+01:002011-10-29T23:15:56.945+01:00

We've resented it all those years it's been here. Will we miss it when it's gone? It would be perverse but not unusual. Some time in the coming months the gangs will arrive to take it all away. Apparently some form of collaboration wth Natural England will accompany the removal. I somehow doubt that there will be much sensitivity about the operation. One older regular on Blacka said he thought it

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-27586227993431454522011-10-29T23:00:00.003+01:002011-11-07T10:31:59.105Z

It's the young stags that one feels sympathy for at this time of year. In scattered herds older males gather a group of hinds around them and the young calves seem to be able to stay with the group. And in spring and summer the groups of stags are of various ages so they're not short of companionship. Autumn is a time when the unattached stags can be seen wandering solitary around the hills and

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-85594514130748733672011-10-29T16:24:00.007+01:002011-10-31T19:07:05.176Z

Any doubts as to the future management intentions of Sheffield Wildlife Trust will have been dispelled by observing this week’s RAG meeting. They wish to have no proper discussion between FoBM and other non SWT users of Blacka about the fundamental strategy. They wish to continue doing just what they have been up to so far. If anyone had hopes that we would see a turning back from farm management

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-22453906741930773562011-10-28T19:10:00.003+01:002011-10-28T19:21:32.105+01:00

The best mornings are still when clear autumn skies come with patches of mist. Deer have been active out on the moor overnight while the cattle were at rest. Seven hinds and calves were with the stag. Before sunrise three of them had decided to lie down in the thick shrubbery, later to be disturbed as the cows roused themselves and made their way across the moor. Other stags were around and also

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-16456301983153016842011-10-27T14:13:00.001+01:002011-10-27T14:15:40.336+01:00

Weather conditions, time of day, give different colour perspectives to life on the moor. Mornings can be dazzling and colourful but just as likely be drab and washed out. Midday has fewer extremes and more chance of an even light.

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-49054229428080593232011-10-26T12:36:00.011+01:002011-10-28T11:01:31.606+01:00

The editors here take no credit/responsibility for the content below which we have only agreed to include to commemorate a) the 50th anniversary of the first publication of Private Eye and b) the coming departure of a local figure and his winning of a part share in a Sheffield Telegraph Environment Award to hasten him on his way.This is a guest contribution from Private Eye’s very own poet E J

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-50079728485600520642011-10-23T11:40:00.011+01:002011-10-23T14:11:13.486+01:00

Side by side but with quite different priorities.Grooming.Eating.No gender stereotyping there, then.More scenes.

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-34031777902164154862011-10-20T10:22:00.008+01:002011-10-26T10:26:14.003+01:00

You have to pinch yourself when watching some scenes in the regenerated wildness of Blacka's best parts - then say slowly that this was over managed grouse moor and is now a paradise for wildlife. Then say even more slowly that there are institutions and charities with managers who want to take it back to more managed land, more like farmland and more like the grouse moor that it was.The deer

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-23624412226437556822011-10-18T12:55:00.007+01:002011-10-18T19:51:10.286+01:00

Further thoughts about the papers obtained through Freedom of Information requests concerning Sheffield Moors Partnership: Action Planning, Terms of Reference and Vision Statement ('2025 Vision')I’ve now spent a longer time looking at it all. Too long: there’s pain associated with it and my bones keep telling me there’s something unhealthy going on. But I'm now reaching some conclusions about

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-9113487629884253312011-10-17T10:31:00.004+01:002011-10-17T12:51:31.665+01:00

Sometimes it seems as if certain people would like this splendid path to be "well-maintained", managed to look cared for as in a garden or park. They may be those who object strongly if their clothing gets wet from the bracken and overhanging trees. Or the uneven path surface with protruding rocks and tree roots.Among the many beauties of wilder land are the things you don’t see unless you’re

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-30753968724006290912011-10-15T15:02:00.008+01:002011-10-16T22:05:19.049+01:00

Following on from the previous post, Enough, and on a similar theme, I report another conversation with a conservation officer, this time about the sheep pasture on Blacka. Doesn’t the despoiled look of this grazed land pinpoint the absurdity of the conservation management approach, said I? I explained that difficulties with the grazier last year left the land free from sheep and cattle for

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-68794711618348077922011-10-15T13:46:00.005+01:002011-10-15T18:58:29.092+01:00

Speaking with one of the local conservation officers recently I realised that our different points of view were so entrenched that there was just no coming together at all. Those who try to bring about consensus (such as the growing tribe of professional facilitators) would have torn down their flip charts and tearfully gone off to seek counselling. It’s no surprise that I consider I was right

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-25440416778219787842011-10-15T11:38:00.006+01:002011-10-15T11:54:22.044+01:00

He had sounded in good voice as we walked up through the birch woods. Minutes earlier the dark valley had been echoing with resonances similar to the starting of a powerful motor bike. But there was more than one sound. As we got closer and he saw us he vanished into the bracken only visible later on after careful scrutiny. No hinds to be seen and the reason was apparent when other impressive

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-16508779148016003302011-10-15T06:01:00.004+01:002011-10-15T09:35:18.967+01:00

Who is it more important to impress? When he throws back his head and projects his voice towards the sky for maximum carry is it mostly to throw out a challenge to rivals nearby? Or is it to attract the females? The group of six accompanying him contain at least two young born this year along with the mature hinds. They are now roaming more across the higher parts than previously, as though the

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-85372008203516669212011-10-14T22:33:00.002+01:002011-10-14T22:38:16.265+01:00

It's a job best left to somebody else I think especially when it comes to lights. But the thrushes have their own novel idea and seem aware of the need for symmetry.Fieldfares are racing around Blacka today in large flocks. Admirable energy and with a keen eye for the red berries.

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-15080735468716592352011-10-13T10:13:00.011+01:002011-10-19T11:44:13.505+01:00

Through the dense mist he stood much as he did last year when I named him Baron of Blacka. He is largely unknown to the media so not worried by fears of competition from the 'Beast of Bushy' down in the over-populated south, and he may never have heard of the Emperor of Exmoor (deceased). These stag stories in the autumn papers will probably now become a regular seasonal feature along with the

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-26252984140670659832011-10-12T14:44:00.001+01:002011-10-12T14:46:37.637+01:00

What is the purpose of farm payments and subsidies? Some of us thought that it was all about ensuring that production of food is a good deal for those working on the land which in turn leads to a continuous supply in the shops.It has been complicated by the tendency for some farmers to over produce often by cutting corners and leading to industrial scale over-exploitation of the land. So to stop

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-91957648236405346352011-10-12T14:18:00.008+01:002011-10-12T16:33:28.199+01:00

Real weather in England is about change. There was plenty of change this morning. That's not been the case for months. Not continuous sun, but dry stream beds and dry footpaths. This stream can be a torrent but has been just dry stones from July on.The gentle flow today was welcome.Cattle have left their mark on the bank.We started with drizzle and layers of mist, then the growing light revealed

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-54167308671583078492011-10-11T16:31:00.003+01:002011-10-11T16:41:50.831+01:00

Not all native trees join the fashion for vibrant autumn colour. We're all guilty of emphasising the bronzes and oranges displayed by beech and oak and birch. But washed-out can also be effective. Ash and elder contribute in ways of their own.

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-52115670997111288142011-10-11T10:01:00.005+01:002011-10-11T12:45:46.973+01:00

It was at one of the meetings in Totley last year (euphemistically called consultation meetings) for the Eastern Moors Partnership that farmers called for a cull to be made of the wild deer. They were quoting vastly inflated numbers since adjusted down considerably by EMP. One of their key arguments was that they were a danger on the roads and it’s certainly true that deer can jump fences with

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-11498034069693897902011-10-09T16:46:00.007+01:002011-10-10T10:39:17.321+01:00

A group from Friends of Blacka Moor went along to the Lord Mayor’s Reception for Friends Groups at Sheffield Town Hall on Saturday. We decided it could be a good opportunity to meet and talk to Council officers who were involved in one way or another in meetings with Sheffield Moors Partnership. Friends Groups are mainly engaged with urban parks and have been set up in a semi-official way,

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-38330235297083350672011-10-07T10:38:00.004+01:002011-10-07T10:49:20.581+01:00

Coming when kneeling down to admire a mushroom there’s a second’s hesitation before I fully understand what I’ve heard. But on repeat there’s no mistaking the deep vibrations of the stag’s bellow in the woods. He was a little further down and through the dense growth an antler could be seen; and in front of him the rear view of a hind racing away. Strolling through the woods I hoped to see them

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-76306383581778504242011-10-06T15:31:00.010+01:002011-10-11T12:48:46.311+01:00

Mark Fisher's comments about the documents coming from the Sheffield Moors Partnership Action Planning session in July were spot on. The language used by the local conservation office holders betrays their whole attitude. By their words we know them. He singles out the constant use of words like 'wild' to describe what is the very reverse of wild. The wild and open natureWilderness of landscapeA

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-88694494440093097192011-10-06T15:08:00.003+01:002011-10-06T15:26:04.723+01:00

Let us make SWT happy by welcoming something they have done. The praise may be qualified but you can't have everything. At the bottom of the bridleway leading down from Devil's Elbow to Shorts Lane, a morass of many years has now had some repairs applied to it. The surface seems to be of gritstone. Let us hope it will stand up to the rains. Ten years ago they had the opportunity to this but

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-73232391819112246882011-10-06T14:55:00.009+01:002011-10-10T11:51:47.464+01:00

No man is an island and no bureaucracy it seems is on its own these days. So curmudgeonly feelings towards the abuses of vocabulary seen among the local conservation folk should allow for the fact that they are ‘part of a culture’ that’s existing in the wider community. But what are we to make of people who invent a word like patrollee? This is not fiction. I’ve not had an authoritative

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-4563622924292567502011-10-03T19:09:00.005+01:002011-10-03T19:27:25.461+01:00

I look for places with character. At this time of year that should go with colour. The path up from Lenny Hill to the waterfall has plenty of colour just now. I know some people do not like bracken but I've learned to accept it as an inevitable and wholly natural, but unplanned, consequence of years of exploitation and a sign that the natural world is fighting back from the generations of imposed

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-85127444279984713022011-10-01T17:24:00.010+01:002011-10-07T17:02:36.935+01:00

When you reflect upon the countryside and natural phenomena do you think of opportunities? Or do you just want to experience it and enjoy it? It depends what and where it is one might say.But for managers it's definitely a case of looking for opportunities - opportunities to manage. If you rack your collective brains enough in an awayday facilitation session, competitively brainstorming until you

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-31518767536400638862011-10-01T15:07:00.010+01:002011-10-01T17:22:17.688+01:00

Easily the spectacular sight of choice for visitors to Blacka Moor and the adjoining Eastern Peak District Moors is a close up view of our largest native wild animal, the Red Deer. You would think then that this meant a lot for Sheffield Wildlife Trust and their conservation friends. But it’s not that simple. They have a take it or leave it attitude to this inspiring and heart-warming scene. In

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-58451275912479834762011-10-01T11:07:00.013+01:002011-10-03T21:31:04.630+01:00

An item in the news this week indicated that as a country we have an adoption crisis. A good time for a small booklet to appear in the home from WWF. All these wildlife charities are intensely focused on finding ways to raise funds. This booklet is full of adoption ideas.Among their enticing projects are:Adopt an ElephantAdopt a Polar BearAdopt a PenguinAdopt an Orang-Utanetc. etc.This brings to

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-81531866183044813672011-09-30T12:40:00.007+01:002012-01-20T16:40:40.028Z

Enjoying a warm autumn morning before sunrise is a lift to the spirits. More so when it is pretty midge-free. Those who like making their own alcoholic drinks are sometimes seen browsing for fruit. To make elderberry wine you start with elderberries as you might expect.To make sloe gin you start with a bottle of gin.

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-19537510011721316622011-09-28T12:00:00.005+01:002011-09-29T14:29:52.675+01:00

The local conservation mafia are shameless. The minutes of their SMP Action Planning Workshop in July speak volumes about their blinkered views and arrogance. Another choice excerpt from this priceless document tells how they consider themselves above public scrutiny. In a section reporting their plans for future meetings we read:"Minutes of the meeting may well appear in the public domain due to

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-26292729681828727722011-09-27T16:07:00.005+01:002011-09-28T11:51:20.882+01:00

It beggars belief that anyone could dream of managing a nature reserve in this way, claiming it is necessary for the SSSI status and biodiversity strategy. I assure doubters that this happens and that this short scene is but a snippet of something that goes on for half a mile. You truly can't have a tiny micro of respect for these people however many doubts you might have had before. I confess I

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-4123103098149565512011-09-27T13:05:00.005+01:002011-09-27T13:24:47.182+01:00

Reading of people being attacked by rutting stags in Bushey Park, London, reminded me that we have not seen anywhere near the numbers of red deer that we saw last year and early this (before the intrusive farming management clicked in). So an earlier than usual start on a promising morning brought some reward. One solitary thoughtful looking stag was rubbing his head against a lone pine tree and

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-29401137059304695762011-09-25T20:10:00.007+01:002011-09-25T20:27:38.816+01:00

The north-west side of Bole Hill is one of the wilder parts of Blacka. Let's hope it escapes the chain saw maniacs and gets to continue on its own way.Who would prefer a scene such as this? Would purple-sprouting broccoli be any worse? At least you can eat it.

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-92173277522153092102011-09-25T16:02:00.003+01:002011-09-29T16:51:03.625+01:00

The misspelling just about sums it up. Freudian. It’s what SWT will be up to this autumn with their uglification tree cutting and coppicing. But “wilderness”? God almighty where do they get them? Thinking again I reckon that the error is more likely to be that ‘for’ has accidentally substituted for ‘of’. But this mention of wild and wilderness just boggles the mind. It's about as wild as a garden

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-15790842497222617492011-09-24T12:37:00.010+01:002011-11-10T19:16:10.419Z

You may wonder who are the people currently planning behind the scenes to hive off a large chunk of Sheffield's property base and facilitate the empire building strategy of sections of the conservation industry. One side effect of their work will be to enhance a few career prospects. This blog can now reveal the names of the individuals involved. They are as follows all attending the 'Action

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-88415364338503780812011-09-23T20:04:00.006+01:002011-09-24T12:22:45.918+01:00

....Who is the most transparent of them all? Well who would have guessed? Step forward the supposedly unaccountable Natural England all diaphanously attired in documents, maps , draft policies, emails and meetings notes. And which villain is the most opaque and unfathomable? Go to the back of the class the once favourite Sheffield City Council hiding behind the crash helmet and burqa of

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-91854846051437166282011-09-22T19:45:00.007+01:002011-09-22T20:27:45.783+01:00

These seasonal hunters for the hallucinogenic mushrooms, hunched and sometimes hooded look nothing like the Blacka regulars. They have strayed from an urban setting and seem uncomfortable with the outdoor scene. I doubt they found much. The Liberty Caps and Waxcaps tend to be a bit later, after the best of the woodland fungi. What you might have found were the unwholesome specimens associated

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-17939785797260530292011-09-21T13:37:00.009+01:002011-09-21T15:02:12.375+01:00

Dropping down from Piper House through the woods in early morning is a journey from light to half light, deep shade then brief illumination.Fungi explorers would have enjoyed this. I can't remember seeing as many Fly Agarics in a few minutes. They looked to have shot up overnight as slug blemishes were scarce.Present nearby were Birch Boletes Brown Roll Rims, some I've forgotten the names of and

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-3989844417596129802011-09-18T20:00:00.005+01:002011-10-16T22:21:24.380+01:00

Just a taster for the reasons that RSPB and NT should not extend their empire by taking over Burbage Houndkirk and the Hathersage Moors. There are and will be others. These reasons are purely on the basis of accountability.A council is a public body. It is answerable to the public for what it does in particular its council tax payers but also the wider public. Anything that it does is subject to

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099497565645504990.post-48282992688542901752011-09-18T19:28:00.006+01:002011-09-18T20:00:49.481+01:00

The only official news out in the open about the determination of the NT/RSPB partnership to annexe what has started to be called the Sheffield Moors is the minutes of the SW Community Assembly meeting at Tapton School in March. I believe that the minutes of that meeting and the resolution were tweaked afterwards to show a more positive welcome for the Sheffield Moors Partnership than the

Blacka Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15802050196614527577noreply@blogger.com0