Bees in Blackburn

[eucera]

I have a number of records of bees that were recorded in the 1970's at a site called by the collector as "Ewood Sandhills". Is there any WAB member from the Blackburn area who might be able to pinpoint this locality?

I am fully expecting the area to have changed considerably in the intervening years!

Thanks, Stuart

[The Woodman]

I will be in the area in the next three weeks, I'll make some enquiries unless any WABber comes up trumps earlier.

My first reaction to the thread was to say "Two".

[eucera]

;-)

Thanks for you offer - much appreciated. I am not sure how widespread sand would be in the Ewood area. I am sure that between us we can crack this one

Cheers

[Lancashire Lad]

As a Blackburn lad myself, I recollect some of my school friends talking about the Ewood sandhills area where they used to play. (Many many years ago now )

The area is located behind Blackburn Rovers Ewood Park ground, where the River Darwen runs. (i.e. behind the Riverside stand).

It will now be part of what is called the River Darwen Parkway. The Blackburn/Manchester railway line also runs through this area.

Sand was extracted commercially, but I understand that those workings ceased in the 1970's.

From what I know of the area, I doubt whether there are any "sandhills" as such that survive to present date - certainly not of any great size anyway, as the area is fairly flat, being mostly scrub and open grassland.

A general idea can be had by looking at satellite maps, which will reveal a couple of sand areas amongst the heath, and immediately beside the river.

Can't be any more specific than that unfortunately, but hope that you at least now have a starting point for reference.

Regards,
Mike.

[The Woodman]

Mike is spot on according to my Blackburn connection - the land between the R.Darwen and the railway to the east of the football stadium. SD680258 will land you in it.

[Cotham Marble]

Originally Posted by The Woodman

Mike is spot on according to my Blackburn connection - the land between the R.Darwen and the railway to the east of the football stadium. SD680258 will land you in it.

This page suggests some hope for continued habitat: River Darwen Parkway and Higher Croft Woods : Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council

CM

[eucera]

Team

Many, many thanks for the rapid response to this request. I am most grateful to you all for replying so thoroughly and thoughtfully. I am convinced that you have landed me on the spot.

I had done a bit of research myself and found a likely looking area on the east of the Darwen which is shown on the 1930's Land Utilisation maps available for view via the Vision of Britain website A Vision of Britain through Time | Your national on-line library for local history | Maps, Statistics, Travel Writing and more however, I needed confirmation from people with detailed local knowledge.

It is possible that the site may well be re-surveyed in the next couple of years to look at changing bee faunas in a changing landscape. I shall keep WAB posted on any developments.

Thanks again,

Stuart

[eucera]

I have managed to get sight of a large scale 1950's OS map for the area alongside the Darwen, and I note there are "old sand pits" marked at SD680256, just below the turntable and engine stabling yards.

The Google Earth satellite images show some areas of short vegetation with sandy exposures in the target area.

Thank you again everyone for your input

Stuart

[Lancashire Lad]

If you visit this site: -

MARIO - Maps & Related Information Online
(It is the official Lancashire County Council archive mapping site).

There are various map layers which can be viewed.

Depending on how the site opens in your window, you may need to click on the tab which says "Open Mario"

If you zoom into the Ewood area, on the default map, then switch off all the map layers by unticking the check boxes in the list, you can then switch back on (individually) layers showing modern day aerial photograph, 1940's aerial photograph, and 1960's aerial photograph.

Make sure that you zoom into, say the area between the football ground and the railway, before trying to view the aerial photos though, as they only appear at certain map scales.

You can then use the "zoom to box", and "move map" options to widen the view or move around the adjacent areas.

They might be of use for your project.

Be aware though, that this site must be one of the most frustrating on the web to navigate , but if you persevere, you can get to the required information eventually.

EDIT - On the 1940's aerial photo, you will see a small(ish) area of exposed sand just to the south of the engine sheds. If you then compare that with the 1960's aerial photo, you will see that the exposed sand area has grown considerably. There is also evidence of many paths there, and that area does appear to be the most uneven ground, as the railway goes through a cutting immediately to the east. I would imagine that this was the area where the commercial sand extraction took place.

Regards,
Mike.