The Herald moth, Scoliopteryx libatrix, is a common native species known for its striking appearance and unique life-cycle that spans seasons in a way few other moths do. Belonging to the family Erebidae, it is often one of the first to emerge in spring and one of the last to be seen in autumn, earning its common name as a “herald” of changing weather.
Tag Archives: #Northwestnatureandhistory
The Cotton Mill
Hum, whirl, click, click, clatter, Rolling, rambling, moving matter: Whizzing, hissing, hitting, missing, Pushing, pulling, turning, twisting.
Buntings in Bowland
Snow Buntings are true Arctic specialists, thriving in barren, open habitats with sparse vegetation. They breed in high-latitude tundras but undertake impressively long migrations southward during winter to avoid the perpetual darkness and sub-zero temperatures.
The Controversial Practice of Controlled Burning (v2)
Version 2 of an article originally published in 2023, looking at the land management practice known as controlled burning, heather burning or muirburn, updated and amended with latest research, data, policy and regulations
Tommy Stroo’s Ghost by John Charles Twist
Th’ moon wur sheignin’ rare, an’ breet,
An’ stars wur twinklin’ o’er mi heyd,
When aw wur walkin’ deawn th’ owd street,
Wi’ Tommy Stroo’s ghost bi mi seyd.
Unnatural Histories; The Crier of Claife
For generations, ferrymen operating the historic crossing betwixt Ferry Nab and Sawrey knew better than to heed these unearthly cries after dark, for they knew that these were no ordinary pleas but rather the desperate howls of a damned soul.
The Effects of Fireworks on Migrating Birds
Fireworks, while a staple of celebrations around the world, from New Year’s Eve to national holidays like Diwali and Bonfire Night, are increasingly coming under scrutiny for their enormous environmental impacts.
Beyond the visual spectacle and auditory booms that we enjoy, these pyrotechnic displays release noise, light, and chemical pollutants that can profoundly affect wildlife.
Among the most vulnerable are migrating bird species, which rely on precise navigation, energy conservation, and undisturbed rest during their arduous journeys.
The Common Inkcap, Coprinopsis atramentaria
As the autumn rains soak our countryside, the fruiting bodies of fungi sprout forth, bewitching us with their bewildering multitude of forms.
One of the most bizarre of these is the Common Inkcap.
Northwest Nature and History 