Norber Erratics are fascinating and unique geological formations scattered on the western flanks of Ingleborough in Ribblesdale near to the village of Austwick. They are formed from over a hundred precariously balanced boulders and widely thought to be the best example of glacial erratics in the British isles, erratic referring to the fact that theyContinue reading “The Rocks Beneath Our Feet, Part Two, Norber Erratics”
Tag Archives: #Lichen
Xanthoria parietina, the Sunburst Lichen
Sunburst Lichen In the world of Lichenology the Sunburst Lichen, Xanthoria parietina is considered a bit of a weed, growing rapidly and spreading to take over, sometimes literally growing over neighbouring, slower-growing or more delicate species of lichens, its scientific name comes from ‘xanthos’, a greek word meaning yellow, and parietina comes from the sameContinue reading “Xanthoria parietina, the Sunburst Lichen”
Usnea Lichens
In a previous article I looked at various families of lichens and how they each indicate how clean the air is where they are found. Out of three main families we found that the lichens which require the cleanest air to survive and thrive in are the Fruticose lichens, so-called because they are bushy inContinue reading “Usnea Lichens”
The Merveille du jour and some notes on moth-trapping
Wonder of the day The Merveille du jour Griposia aprilina, ‘wonder of the day’, is out and about at the moment. This attractive, black and white patterned, emerald green moth, reckoned as one of the most beautiful to be found in the British isles, is aptly named as it is a little wonder to behold.Continue reading “The Merveille du jour and some notes on moth-trapping”
Drystone Walls, a part of the Northern Landscape
Many visitors to the North of England comment on the multitude of stone walls winding their way across the landscape, these are part of the character of the countryside which brings those visitors here in the first place. On a cloudy day, their grey and green stones seem to fade into the hills and theContinue reading “Drystone Walls, a part of the Northern Landscape”
Lichens, and how they can be used to measure air pollution
Lichens There are many rare and exotic species of Plants, Lichens and Bryophytes (mosses and liverworts), which call the British isles home and they all have their charms and important roles to play in our ecology, for me one of the the most interesting families has to be the Lichens. Lichens are not what youContinue reading “Lichens, and how they can be used to measure air pollution”
Northwest Nature and History 