The Nuthatch, Sitta europaea, (sitta meaning ‘seed’), is quite similar to, and often confused with, Woodpeckers and treecreepers but is a member of its own genus and quite unique. They are very agile and mobile little birds, able to ascend and descend tree trunks upside down or the right way up, they are unique inContinue reading “The Nuthatch”
Author Archives: Northwest nature and history
Day Eleven of a Northwestern Advent Calendar
Tracks across the snow Made by a wandering grouse Foraging for food A B-H
Day Ten of a Northwestern Advent Calendar
Tyre tracks on the lane Early morning drive to work Fresh snow fell last night A B-H
Day Nine of a Northwestern Advent Calendar
Safe from the snow drifts Sheep shelter under the trees Out of the cold wind A B-H
Hair Ice
Hair ice, also known as Frost Beard or Ice Wool, is very rare and only forms in very specific conditions, for many centuries its formation had been a complete mystery to science. However researchers found in 2015 that it is formed by a fungus, Exidiopsis effusa, it only forms between 45° and 55° North inContinue reading “Hair Ice”
Day Eight of a Northwestern Advent Calendar
Bells ringing across The village echoing bring All to church to sing A B-H
The December Moth
The December Moth, Poecilocampa populi, (Poecilo is Ancient Greek for ‘varied’ or ‘spotted’, campa meaning ‘field’ and populi meaning ‘common’) is a very aptly named moth, being one of the few, if not the only moth flying in the cold depths of winter. Active when others are asleep It is a medium sized moth, withContinue reading “The December Moth”
Day Seven of a Northwestern Advent Calendar
Late evening sun Paints the snow hues of rose pink On the wintry hill A B-H
Northwest Nature and History 