The Herald is unmistakable with its distinctive shape and markings. It emerges in late August and can be seen through to October when both sexes hibernate until the Spring. The top picture shows it in full colour in Autumn and the lower its more subdued Spring colours caused by fading through the Winter. We do not know a lot about its status in Caithness. Most recent Autumn records have come from the north east of the County. But it is much scarcer in the Spring with only one record, on the 25th April, so we do not know when it normally leaves hibernation here. In the south it starts to appear as early as March.