England's iconic red squirrels are close to extinction and the government needs to do more to protect them

17,860 new trees were put in the ground by volunteers @friendsoflakes.bsky.social between November 2025 and March 2026 and a further 1.8 miles of hedgerows across Cumbria were restored.

In Cumbrian dialects, may-flower is hawthorn. Hang hawthorn blossom outside the house at Beltane to welcome the ancestors Roy Vickery describes hawthorn as: "associated with unregulated love in the fields, rather than conjugal love in the bed" more: "Folklore of the Lake District" #bookwormsat

and breathe... 💚

#Beltane blessings to all 💚 "May the warmth of the sun, nurture you; The cool waters, cleanse you; Nature's bounty, replenish you; The song of the trees, comfort you; The knowledge of the bees, guide you." ~ Stephen G. Rae

The #FlowerMoon rises on 1st May Named for some of our favourite wildflowers that bloom in May: anemone, bluebell, wild garlic This Full Moon has a number of alternative names inc. Bright Moon and Grass Moon. My personal favourite is Hare Moon art: Amy E Fraser

I often work as a Woodsman in the autumn and winter, and 5 years ago I discovered an elderly Crab apple in a sorry state. I've been gradually cutting dead and diseased wood, and this year rewarded by the most extraordinary blossom. 📍Lake District #trees

I was working in this stunning bluebell wood today. In Cumbrian dialects, bluebell is 'craw-feet'. Should you ever wear a garland of bluebells, you will be compelled to tell the truth! 📍Lake District #wildflowers

We can't have a #WyrdWednesday without the Janet Tree and the tale of the knitting witch of Shap more in my: "Folklore of the Lake District" bardofcumberland.com folklore on film at 'Land of Lore Films' #folklore #comedy #shortfilm

A fabulous sunny day travelling up the Lakes yesterday, visiting bookshops and signing copies of my "Folklore of the Lake District". Sam Reads, Grasmere and Bookends, Carlisle stock all three. A shout out to bookshops everywhere, and please continue to support indie authors like myself.

Newly-weds should dance three times around an oak tree, and make a small cross on it for good luck. These trees are called 'marriage oaks', and one such tree grew at Brampton. more: "Folklore of the Lake District" bardofcumberland.com/folklore/ #folklore #lakedistrict #booksky

#otd Today is "Audubon Day" honouring John James Audubon, French-American ornithologist and painter; known for his detailed illustrations of North American birds.

Redcap, the murderous goblin residing in castles, that soaks his cap in his victim's blood more in my: "Boggarts, Brownies, Hobs and their Goblin Kin: an Encyclopedia of World Folklore" bardofcumberland.com/folklore/ #goblins #folklore #booksky

My: "Folklore of Scotland" come on a magical journey in faerie tales and folk horror, introducing almost 200 characters from Scottish folklore more: folkloreofscotland.com ships to UK via the website; and Worldwide via Amazon, Apple Books, etc. #folklore #Scotland #booksky

Introducing my new: "Folklore of Scotland: Faerie Folk and Folk Horror" Elf and fairie; brownie and goblin; faerie animals; demons of land and sea; vampires; wolf man and werewolf; Beast of Buchan and Gorbals Vampire Link: folkloreofscotland.com #bookwormsat #folklore #Scotland

Your £1 = £2 to us! Your donations are being matched for the next 5 days so now's the time to make double the difference to Cumrbrian temperate rainforests! https://loom.ly/9M6a-6I #EarthRaise

... and breathe 💚 my favourite word: "Nemophilist" pronounced 'ne-mo-fe-list' means someone with a love for forests, woods, or woodland scenery; or someone who often visits them, a 'haunter' of woods 📍Lake District

The Red Lady of Woodland is an apparition I witnessed in the spring of 2019; a female ghost attributed to a woman of vanity or a woman killed in a fit of passion more: "Folklore of the Lake District" bardofcumberland.com/folklore/ #phantomsfriday #lakedistrict

On the Isle of Arran, an elderly gentleman named Fullarton might be spotted, knitting with Fairies read more in my "Folklore of Scotland: Faerie Folk and Folk Horror" folkloreofscotland.com 'folklore on film' at Land of Lore Films #folklore #scotland #booksky

Quinkins is a malevolent goblin-like being from Australian folklore. Its kangaroo tail allows it to jump great distances read more in: "Boggarts, Brownies, Hobs and their Goblin Kin: An Encyclopedia of World Folklore" by Stephen G. Rae #goblins #folklore #booksky

Some Cumbrian dragon lore for St. George's Day 🐉 Blencathra, one of the most northerly hills in the Lake District. Within is a red dragon, guarding the resting place of King Arthur and his most loyal knights. read more in my "Folklore of the Lake District" bardofcumberland.com/folklore/ art by me

#EarthDay 🌍 in Cumbrian dialects, 'urchin' is hedgehog The entire world was once a big lake, and it was a giant hedgehog who brought earth in it's needles to create dry land more: Folklore of the Lake District bardofcumberland.com/folklore/ art: Hannah Kugelfant

It's #WorldCurlewDay and in Cumbrian dialects, 'cushart' is curlew in folklore, if you hear a curlew at night, it means that bad luck is coming; if heard during the day, it signifies the arrival of bad weather art: Robert E Fuller

Here's a Cumbrian inspired 'Wind in the Willows': broc (badger) as Badger mowdiwarp (mole) as Mole paddock (toad) as Mr. Toad watter-moose (water vole) as Ratty art: Bluebells in the West Wood by Chris Dunn

A glorious morning here in the southern most part of the Lake District National Park. Enveloped in birdsong and cherry blossom. There's the faint call of a cuckoo in the background.

"Red is the colour of lust. But green is what lust leaves behind, in heart, in womb" In local myth, the Green Knight and Sir Gawain lived in the Forest of Inglewood (Wood of the Angles) more in my: "Folklore of the Lake District" #mythologymonday #booksky art: Julek Heller

Fairie or Elf, Klippe is a guardian to all those walking lonely moorland at night. A spritely fellow who dances beside the traveller to ensure a safe journey more in my "Folklore of Scotland: Faerie Folk and Folk Horror" folkloreofscotland.com #folklore #Scotland #booksky art: Brian Froud

Bluebell is 'craw-feet' in Westmorland, and 'crow-foot' in Cumberland dialects It's unlucky to bring bunches of bluebells into ones home as they are the flower of the Fae Folk #wildflowers #folklore #Cumbria art: The Fairy Wood by Henry Meynell Rheam

#NationalPrimroseDay Primula vulgaris is one of our first woodland blooms and an important nectar source in Cumbrian dialects, 'prime-rose' is primrose touching a rock with a posy of primrose flowers will open a doorway to the Land of the Fae #wildflowers #folklore #Cumbria

"Ghostly ladies dressed in white Fly around the castle grounds at night" In legend, Pendragon Castle was built by Uther, the father of King Arthur more in my "Folklore of the Lake District" #folklore #shortfilm #bookwormsat

'The Janet Tree' is the tale of the knitting witch of Shap read more in "Folklore of the Lake District" by Stephen G. Rae link: folklorepress.co.uk #folklore #shortfilm #booksky

Clanyard Bay on the Galloway coast is haunted by a lone piper who foolishly entered a cave full of Fairie treasure read more in my "Folklore of Scotland: Faerie Folk and Folk Horror" folkloreofscotland.com #folklore #scotland #booksky

dew-drops caught in the spider's web - a string of diamonds dew-drops caught in the spider's web - a string of tears from: "often I stop and look back" bardofcumberland.com/poetry #haiku #poetry #booksky art: Asako Eguchi

#FaerieFriday Ghillie Dhu is a male Fairie and forest guardian disguised under foliage and moss, living amongst birch trees. He will come to the aid of lost children. more in my new: 'Folklore of Scotland: Faerie Folk and Folk Horror' folkloreofscotland.com #folklore #scotland #booksky

"Out of the Firth with his reckless crew He sailed on a Christmas morning!" Swallowed by the sea and all hands lost, but the 'ghost ship' Betsy Jane is still seen desperately trying to reach Whitehaven harbour more in my: 'Folklore of the Lake District' #phantomsfriday #booksky

Goblin Family Tree A fabulous illustration by Robert Ingen that complements my: "Boggarts, Brownies, Hobs and their Goblin Kin: an Encyclopedia of World Folklore" bardofcumberland.com/folklore/ #goblins #folklore #booksky

In Korean mythology, the blue dragon is considered one of the four guardian deities - blue dragon, white tiger, red phoenix, black tortoise - is the guardian of the east and protector against evil spirits  bardofcumberland.com #FairytaleTuesday #dragons art: Stephen G. Rae

A dragon terrorised the Dalry area, until a local blacksmith killed it on Moot Hill. He made a spiked suit of armour and when the dragon swallowed him it was ripped to pieces from the inside, out more in: "Folklore of Scotland" folkloreofscotland.com #FairytaleTuesday #booksky art: Johan Egerkrans

Hullet is owl in Cumbrian dialects Owl is one of the Three Elders of the World, the others are Eagle, and Blackbird. An owl appearing in your dreams represents transformation and hidden wisdom #mythologymonday #owlishmonday 📷 Roy Rimmer

Oh cat, I'd say, or pray: be-ootiful cat! Delicious cat! Exquisite cat! Satiny cat! Cat like a soft owl, cat with paws like moths, jewelled cat, miraculous cat! Cat, cat, cat, cat. ~ Doris Lessing #bookwormsat #caturday art: Lidija Paradinovic Nagulov

The Fairie Cup of Mingary Castle is a magical vessel stolen from local fairies. It fills with whatever liquid the bearer wishes it to. Cheers! more: "Folklore of Scotland" folkloreofscotland.com #FaerieFriday #folklore #Scotland art: Celelia

A squire's daughter would meet her lover at Furness Abbey. One day he took a journey out to sea and never returned. The girl returned every day until her death and her ghost the White Lady, still walks more: 'Folklore of the Lake District' #phantomsfriday #booksky art : Arthur Rackham

It's National Unicorn Day 🦄 But unicorns in Scotland? The "Beast of the Lowering Horn" on the Isle of Skye to be more precise from: "Folklore of Scotland: Faerie Folk and Folk Horror" by Stephen G. Rae link: folkloreofscotland.com #folklorethursday #bookologythursday art: Stephen G. Rae

In a Cumbrian crow rhyme: one crow is bad luck two crows is good luck three crows for health four crows for wealth five crows and sickness is coming six crows for a death is nearby more: 'Folklore of the Lake District' bardofcumberland.com/folklore/ #wyrdwednesday art: Arthur Rackham

"The world is changing: I feel it in the water, I feel it in the earth, and I smell it in the air" ~ JRR Tolkien; Treebeard #TolkienTrewsday #TolkienTuesday art: Treebeard by Stephen G. Rae

in winter's twilight owls and Buddhas ~ from my "often I stop and look back" book of Haiku poetry bardofcumberland.com #haiku #poetry #owlishmonday art: Ohara Koson

Pace Eggs are an Easter tradition in northern England. Hard-boiled eggs often boiled onion skins; but also beetroot, coffee grains and spinach. Pace Eggs are displayed in windows until Easter Sunday, then rolled down a nearby hill. #FolkloreSunday #EasterSunday

In Cumbrian dialects, 'pyat' is magpie: one is for sorrow, but two for mirth, three's for a wedding, four for a death, five for heaven, six for hell, but seven's the divil's oan sel more in my: 'Folklore of the Lake District' bardofcumberland.com/folklore/ #bookwormsat art: Georgia Cox

"Then water-kelpies haunt the foord, By your direction, And 'nighted trav'llers are allur'd To their destruction" ~ the Kelpie, in Robert Burns' "Address to the Deil" (Devil) read more in: "Folklore of Scotland: Faerie Folk and Folk Horror" folkloreofscotland.com #bookwormsat #Scotland

#WorldRatDay - the Queen Rat lives in London's sewers and watches men at work. If she takes a liking to one of them, she will appear as a beautiful woman and enticed him into a her lair. If he satisfies her desires, he's rewarded with good luck.