In Lancashire’s rolling green countryside you can find every species of owl that is native to the British isles, even one species which some might argue isn’t technically native yet, despite having successfully bred here, the Eagle Owl. So far I’ve written about the Tawny Owl, the Short-eared Owl and I’ll get around to sharingContinue reading “Little Owls in Lancashire”
Tag Archives: #Ecology
The Comma
The Comma, Polygonia c-album, named after the comma shaped mark on its white underwings, is a very striking butterfly in appearance and can be found in large numbers at the right time of year on its favourite plants. They are orange and black with ragged looking wings which break up their outline and make themContinue reading “The Comma”
Wood Sorrel, the original Shamrock
Wood Sorrel’s scientific name, Oxalis acetosella, derives from the Greek Oxys, meaning ‘acid, or ‘sharp’, and hális, which means ‘salt’. Acetosella comes from the Latin acetum, meaning ‘vinegar’ or ‘sour wine’. It is one of the earliest spring-flowering plants of the woodland floor, along with Wood Anenome, Bluebell and Wild Garlic and is characteristic ofContinue reading “Wood Sorrel, the original Shamrock”
Bumblebees and how to encourage them
Bumblebees are often confused with Honeybees but are larger, furrier, and generally black with either white, yellow or red bands across the end of their tails. There are 24 different species of bumblebees to be found in the British isles, many of which can be seen in the Northwest of England including two which I’veContinue reading “Bumblebees and how to encourage them”
The Chiffchaff
The Chiffchaff, Phylloscopus collybita, has what is called an onomatopoeic name, meaning descriptive of its song, and its scientific name, Phylloscopus, coming from the Ancient Greek phullon, meaning ‘leaf’ and skopos, meaning ‘seeker’, aptly describes its behaviour as it hops about the trees seeking insects for its dinner. For a lot of people the arrivalContinue reading “The Chiffchaff”
The Dandelion, and why you should leave it be!
The Dandelion, Taraxacum officinale, is found all over the British isles and one of our most widespread and successful wildflowers. The first part of its scientific name, Taraxos, derives from the Ancient Greek word for ‘chaos’, and akos meaning ‘remedy’, and it is does indeed grow chaotically almost everywhere and, as will be covered laterContinue reading “The Dandelion, and why you should leave it be!”
The Black Darter
The Black darter, Sympetrum danae, our smallest native dragonfly, at about 4cm long, with a wingspan of about 5cm, is our only black species. It can be spotted skittishly darting about our moors at the moment, seemingly going from zero to a hundred and back in a split second as it strikes out to snatchContinue reading “The Black Darter”
The Violet Oil Beetle
The Violet Oil Beetle, Meloe violaceous, is an unusual looking beetle, similar, but not to be confused with the Violet Ground Beetle, quite large at about 3cm long, and as its name suggests, is a rather striking violet colour. It is an insect of strange proportions, its front end being almost ant-like, with a roundedContinue reading “The Violet Oil Beetle”
Northwest Nature and History 