The pitch-black St Mark’s Lark, also known as the Witch-Lark and the Ghost-Lark, resides deep in the notorious moorland Coal Holes and is rarely seen. It is said if one is witnessed on St Mark’s Eve, that person is doomed to die within the next 12 months. Others believe each St Mark’s Lark is a manifestation of a particular witch that has died in the community, and escaped her coffin. The St Mark’s Lark builds its nest out of twigs from the rowan or mountain-ash tree, which is traditionally known as ‘witch-wood’.
Fryup/unpub
THE NORTH RIDING PROJECT 
Leave a comment