In north Cumbria large clumps of ice have started to form on the River Eden in Carlisle.

Ice floats downstream on the River Eden

Some of the more still areas of the river have started to ice over.

Snaking it’s way from high in the Eden Valley,  the Eden is one of the major rivers in the area.

It is thought that the River Eden last froze over around 100 years ago.

This podcast was filmed on the banks of the River just as the sun was setting on Friday 8 January 2010.

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The bee is worth around £200 million to the UK economy.

Bees are important to the natural ecosystem as they are responsible for polinating flowering plants.

Recent changes in farming and the loss of many flower filled gardens are having a dramatic effect on bee numbers.

It is thought that almost one third of the human food chain is directly linked to the work that the bee does.

In the UK alone, bees contribute £200m a year to the economy through pollination.

The British Bee Keepers Association has over 15,000 members.

Nearly 20% of the UK’s Honey Bees died last winter.   Some research even points to the radiation given off by mobile telephone base stations being responsible for declining numbers.

To help reverse the worrying decline in the UK bee population, The Co-operative has launched Plan Bee, a 10 point plan that includes action on pesticides, actions on farms, funding research and inspiring individuals to make a difference.

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Brambles

Within 100m we found rosehips, apples and  brambles.

All can easily be collected and turned in to some great pies, crumbles and cordials.

Rich in vitamin C and other natural vitamins and minerals hedgerow food is fantastic and free.

Please take care and only pick fruits and berries you know to be safe. If in doubt please consult your nature conservation officer or wildlife ranger for advice

We will be featuring some uses for hedgerow food over on foodonabudget in the next few weeks.

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Grey Squirrel

We spotted this grey squirrel in a park in Carlisle, Cumbria last week.

Grey squirrels are an alien species and were introduced to the UK from the USA in the late nineteenth/early twentieth century.

They are distinguished from red squirrels by their grey fur, smaller ear tufts and their larger, more robust build. Grey squirrels sit with their large bushy tail arched over the back.

In Britain, it has few natural predators. It has successfully adapted to British lowland conditions. It is omnivorous, breeds strongly and is an aggressive settler equally at home in urban parks and the countryside.

Red squirrels are extremely susceptible to Squirrelpox virus, which is lethal.

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Rain fireworks

Post production back in the office slowed the footage down a little and added better audio of rain.

We have called this bit of fun ‘Rain Fireworks’ due to the way the rain drops cause the water to lift high into the air and cascade as if a firework in the open sky.

Maybe you would like to write some music to go with some of the footage?

Hope you enjoy.

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Found frequently in carpets of colour the Bluebell is one of the first nectar producing flowers of the year.

Bluebell

English bluebells have gently nodding heads.

The Spanish bluebell was introduced by gardeners and forms hybrids with English bluebells. This is bad news as in time we may loose our native English bluebell entirely.

Bluebells are a protected species in the UK. It is illegal to dig them up or pick them.

More information.

Charlie and Buster go in search of bluebells

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Robin

As the sun rises the chatter of what seems like hundreds of birds pierces the darkness and heralds a new day.

We hope you enjoy this podcast recorded this morning on the outskirts of the City of Carlisle.

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Spring lambs

Three new friends enjoy some fantastic Easter sunshine.

Take a little bit of spring with you and watch some Cumbrian lambs.

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Red Squirrel - Cumbria

Filmed early on a morning you could say he, or she, was having their breakfast.

This footage was recorded at Talkin Tarn, nr Carlisle in North Cumbria.

We hope you have enjoyed these films of red squirrels.  Sadly the red is coming under increasing threat from the movement north of the grey squirrel.  The grey carries a nasty virus which kills off the native red.

More details can be found at the Save our Squirrels website .

The footage is also available on Youtube

Red Squirrel at Talkin Tarn

The red squirrel is coming under increasing threat as the non-native grey squirrel moves north from the south of England.

Filmed at Talkin Tarn, in North Cumbria, the squirrel enjoys a hearty breakfast after climbing to the feeder via the various ropes and balance boards.

We will be featuring these squirrels in other podcasts for you to enjoy.