Natural history – Page 2 – Northwest Nature and History

Sphagnum Moss, The Bog-builder

Sphagnum moss belongs to the genus Sphagnum, comprising over 30 species in the British Isles, many of which can be very challenging to distinguish.

Long-eared Owls

Long-eared owls, Asio otus, are one of our most secretive and elusive birds of prey. With their distinctive ‘ear’ tufts (which are actually feather extensions for camouflage and expression), striking orange eyes, and mottled brown plumage, these medium-sized owls are unmistakable, yet they are rarely seen, as they blend so well into the landscape and prefer to secrete themselves in dense foliage during the day.

Earthtongue Fungi

Earthtongue fungi, belonging primarily to the family Geoglossaceae, are a fascinating group known for their distinctive tongue- or club-shaped fruiting bodies that emerge from the soil in eerie-looking black or dark protrusions.

Forest City: a Critical Dissection of Proposals, and Suggestions of Viable Alternatives

Forest City 1 is a recently proposed city development planned for agricultural land on the Cambridgeshire-Suffolk border. A private initiative its purported aims are to address the housing crisis in the UK and stimulate economic growth.

Here I dissect these proposals, uncover the flaws within them that may cause irreparable harm to our environment and society, and suggest some viable alternatives and solutions.

The Hawthorn

The Hawthorn, Crataegus monogyna, also known as Quickthorn, Whitethorn, or the May tree, is one of the most common small trees, (or large shrubs, depending on how you look at it), to be found in the British isles. Their scientific name comes from the Greek word for ‘strength’; Crataegus, and monogyna comes from mono, meaningContinue reading “The Hawthorn”

Northern Shores: Bladderwrack

Bladder wrack, Fucus vesiculosus, is a familiar sight to anyone who has wandered our coasts, a member of the brown algae family, it is easily identified by its flattened, leathery fronds that branch repeatedly in a dichotomous pattern, splitting evenly into two like a fork.

Lurking in the Canal; Perch, the Highly Adaptable Piscine Predator

The European perch, Perca fluviatilis, is a highly adaptable predatory freshwater fish native to the British isles. It is found in a wide variety of habitats from ponds and lakes to brooks and rivers but has found a particularly thriving niche in our man-made canals.

Common Ivy

Common ivy, scientifically known as Hedera helix, is an evergreen climbing plant native to, and ubiquitous throughout the British Isles, excepting the far north and a few spots like the Isle of Man.