Yorkshire officially in drought…
Drought
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The region experiences its driest spring in 132 years. 
Reservoir levels are significantly lower than average for this time of the year.
Consequence: Hosepipe ban!
In other years: At this time heather moorland starts to bloom in purple and lilac (picture 2024)... 
...but this year the colour is brown! Heather can withstand very dry conditions,... 
...but it has been hot and very dry for a prolonged time. 
In addition to the drought we see outbreaks of heather beetles which can do damage to large areas of heather... 
...and discolour it to foxy-red. 
Heather beetle (here an adult one) is a native insect, so it belongs here. 
As with most insects (here heather beetle larvae) it occasionally has severe outbreaks making things look particularly bad... 
...but because our moors are an artificial monoculture it looks so much worse than it is. 
Northumberland in July: Also very dry... 
...but not too dry for some training days! 
Thanks to a stream the dogs can cool down. 
Fake appreciates a cooling coat that helps to stay cooler... 
...but Nora...!?! 
Nora prefers HER place at home where she can chill! 
Drought means also that sheep need more areas to graze! 
Therefore no rest for farmers (and border collies)... 
...to move the sheep to different places. 
End of July: Silage done - now we definitely need some rain!