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THE FRESHWATER CRUSTACEA OF YORKSHIRE

a faunistic & ecological survey

GEOFFREY FRYER

The crustacean fauna of Yorkshire reflects the great physiographic diversity
of the region. Adopting an ecological approach, this book considers the
Yorkshire fauna in relation to climate, topography, geology, soils and water
chemistry, always keeping in mind that it is dealing with living organisms
whose habits, requirements and physiological limitations determine exactly
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Matters covered include the ecological background; faunal assemblages
and their regional attributes; an analysis of the factors that determine
distribution patterns, many of which are mapped; wide geographical aspects;
and conservation. Large areas, such as the Pennines, Howgill Fells, North
Eastern uplands and the lowland plains are surveyed. So too are localised
regions including Whernside, the Malham area, lowland heaths, and the largest
lakes, as well as habitats such as upland tarns, .seepages, cold springs, small
lowland ponds, inland saline waters. Notes are given on eveiy species
recorded, including parasitic forms.

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A QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF NATURAL HISTORY FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND

Basking Sharks Cetorhinus maximus (Gunnerus) Stranded on the
Yorkshire Coast — Colin Howes

Review of the Genus Metrioptera (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) in
Yorkshire — Martin Limbert

Notes on Yorkshire Mollusca - Number 11: A Yorkshire Red Data
Book for Land and Freshwater Mollusca — Adrian Norris

On J. W. Dunning’s Authorship of Some Early Observations on
Yorkshire — Geoffrey Fryer

Entomological Report: Diptera (Tipulidae) — Roy Crossley

Y.N.U. Bryological Section: Annual Report 1996-1997 —

T. L. Blockeel and J. M. Blackburn

Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union Excursions in 1997 — R. Comley, J.
Payne and K. G. Payne

Published by the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union

Editor M. R. D. Seaward, MSc, PhD, DSc, FLS, The University, Bradford BD7 IDP

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BASKING SHARKS CETORHINUS MAXIMUM
STRANDED ON THE YORKSHIRE

COLIN A. HOWES
Museum & Art Gallery, Doncaster DNl 2AE

the N'ATURAL
history MUSEUM

101

(GUNSEftfii)1998

:oast„rchas£l.

GENERAL LIBRA? ’

Introduction

The basking shark, one of only three plankton-feeding sharks, is the world’s second largest
fish with specimens growing to 9.8 metres and weighing in excess of 4 tonnes (Burchett,
1996). Its highly elongated gill rakers (modified dermal denticle) with which it filters
plankton from the sea are deciduous, being shed in winter when it evidently moves to deep
waters to ‘hibernate’ (Lythgoe & Lythgoe, 1971; Burchett, 1996).

Although having formed the basis of several commercial fisheries, little is known in
detail of its population composition, seasonality, breeding biology, distribution and status.
Consequently, the lack of even a basic knowledge on which to base a strategy for
harvesting sustainable proportions of a managed population has lead to stocks invariably

■ collapsing after commercial exploitation ( Burchett, 1996).

Its currently depleted and possibly endangered populations appear to be distributed in

■ cool, mainly coastal waters in the north and south Atlantic, the Mediterranean, north and
: south Pacific and off the southern coast of Australia. Its distribution in the north Atlantic is

extended into arctic latitudes by the affect of the northward flowing Gulf Stream (Burchett,
1996).

: Historical Background

. Specific evidence of basking sharks in the southern North Sea and on the Yorkshire coast is
; scant indeed. Clarke and Roebuck (1881) note that the species is ‘supposed to have
occurred near Scarborough on two occasions but evidence as to identification is
i insufficient’, Grabham (1907) omitted the basking shark from his ‘Victoria County
I History’ review of Yorkshire fish, and Spaul (1956), though providing no specific records
: for the Yorkshire coast, regarded it as ‘not common’ with ‘only small specimens seen’.
Whittaker (1971), more precisely refers to basking sharks being ‘occasionally caught in the
1 Filey Bay salmon nets’.

The only fully documented historical record appears to be of a specimen measuring 7.26
I m in length and 3.43 m across the tail which became entangled in salmon nets at the mouth
( of the Tees near Redcar in early August 1907. A fine photograph taken by Thomas Nelson,
' the celebrated Cleveland naturalist, shows the specimen displayed under an awning on the
I beach at Redcar. Evidently samples of the comb-like bronchial appendages (gill-rakers)
i and a sample of skin were forwarded to Sir William Turner of Edinburgh University for
. examination and confirmation (Sheppard, 1907).

I Recent Records

(On the 9th June 1994 a 4.57 m specimen became tangled and died in fishing nets off the
Holderness coast of Fraisethorpe {Yorkshire Post, 1994 Anon., 1994) and on 5th September
1 1996 a 6.40 m, 3.2 tonne specimen became tangled in fishing nets in Bridlington bay and
' stranded dead on the beach {Hull Daily Mail, Yorkshire Post and Daily Telegraph, 1996).

( Oceanographic Context and Discussion

i Like the summer migrations of baleen whales in the north Atlantic, which move from the
[ tropics to temperate and arctic waters, groups of plankton-feeding basking shark, now so
rrare in British waters, seasonally move north along the edge of the continental shelf off the
V west coast of Ireland and north-west Scotland. Like the whales, the basking sharks appear
t to be working the ‘plankton fronts’ which form as nutrient-rich Atlantic water from the
(Gulf Stream rises to the surface when it encounters the colder local coastal water.

'Naturalist 123 (1998)

102 Basking Sharks Cetorhinus maximus (Gunnerus) Stranded on the Yorkshire Coast

In general, ‘plankton fronts’ can form during sunny weather when nutrient-rich water,
stirred up from the sea bed by currents, tides or by the meeting of different water masses,
becomes trapped within a layer of warmer water at the surface. These nutrients are required
by planktonic plants which then grow and reproduce in the light and warmth available in
the surface layers.

In addition to the plankton fronts which form off western Britain, fronts also develop in
the Irish Sea, no doubt giving rise to the seasonal occurrence of basking sharks off the Isle
of Man, and in turn the seasonal (now defunct) shark fishery.

Evans (1990) shows that plankton fronts are capable of fonning along Britain’s North
Sea coast, where deeper ‘stratified’ waters meet cooler coastal ‘mixed’ water. These
provide the basis of marine food chains which in turn give rise to and sustain adjacent
seabird colonies. The significant manifestations of this phenomenon along the Yorkshire
coastline are the celebrated seabird colonies at Scarborough and Bempton and possibly the
common and grey seal breeding colony at Donna Nook.

It is likely therefore that vagrant groups of basking sharks, flushed into the northern
North Sea by surges of warmer Atlantic water, may specifically search for and work these
plankton fronts.

Significantly, the two recent Yorkshire coast records both occurred in the vicinity of one
of the North Sea predicted plankton fronts (Evans, 1990). They also occurred, during the
summer months when plankton fronts were likely to be present and coincided with periods
of warm sunny weather when planktonic production would have been particularly high.

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank Angela Gowland and Barry Kirk for drawing my attention to the
recent Yorkshire occurrences.

References

Anon ( 1 994). Basking shark at Fraisthorpe. Hull Natural History Society’ Newsletter 5: 1 8.
Burchett (1996). Marine fish, in G. Waller (ed.) Sealife: a complete guide to the marine
environment. Pica, Sussex.

Clarke, W. E. and Roebuck W. D. (1881). Vertebrate Fauna of Yorkshire. Lovell Reeve,
London.

Daily Telegraph, 6th September 1 996.

Evans, P. G. H. (1990). European cetaceans and seabirds in an oceanographic contex. Lutra
33 (2): 95-125.

Grabham, O. (1907). Fish, in W. Page (ed.) The Victoria History of the Counties of
England: A History of Yorkshire. Vol. 1. Archibald Constable, London.

Hull Daily Mail, 6th September 1996.

Lythgoe, J. and Lythgoe, G. (1971 ). Fishes of the Sea. Blandford, London.

Sheppard, T. (1907). Notes on a large basking shark at Redcar. Naturalist 32: 10.

Spaul, E. A. (1956). Marine fish, in G. B. Walsh & F. Riinington (eds) The Natural History
of the Scarborough District, vol. 2. Scarborough Field Naturalists’ Society, Scarborough.
Whittaker, D. (1971). Marine fish, in W. A. Sledge (ed.) The Naturalists' Yorkshire.
Dalesman, Clapham.

Yorkshire Post, 10th June 1994; 6th September 1996.

103

A REVIEW OF THE GENUS METRIOPTERA (ORTHOPTERA:
TETTIGONIIDAE) IN YORKSHIRE

MARTIN LIMBERT

Museum & Art Gallery, Chequer Road, Doncaster DNl 2AE
Introduction: The Yorkshire Tettigonioidea

Ot the orthopteroid insects recorded as indigenous species, established aliens and
occasional migrants in the British Isles (sensu Marshall & Haes, 1988), 29 are said to have
occurred in Yorkshire; of these, eight belong to the superfamily Tettigonioidea. Seven are
bush-crickets Tettigonioidae, encountered since the first records in 1837, when the Short-
winged Cone-head Conocephalus (Xiphidion) dorsalis (Latr.) and the Bog Bush-Cricket
Metrioptera (Metrioptera) brachyptera (L.) were located on Thorne Moors. From the
1860s onwards, other species were collected in the county: Oak Bush-cricket Meconema
thalassinum (De Geer), Dark Bush-cricket Pholidoptera griseoaptera (De Geer), Speckled
Bush-cricket Leptophyes punctatissima (Bose) and Roesel’s Bush-cricket Metrioptera
(Roeseliana) roeselii (Hagenb.). There are many published allusions, and some pinned
specimens. The Great Green Bush-cricket Tettigonia viridissima L. has also been noted as
occurring in Yorkshire (e.g. Lucas, 1920), including as a “casual introduction” (Whiteley,
1981; D. Whiteley, in litt.), but this species remains, at best, enigmatic. The eighth species,
a member of the Rhaphidophoridae (wingless camel-criekets), is the Greenhouse Camel-
crieket Tachycines asynamorus Adelung which, although not a native, has occasionally
become established in Britain in the present century. Two specimens are known from
Yorkshire, captured in 1943 and 1963, though only the latter has been cited (Whiteley,
1976).

In common with all other orthopteroid insects, until the publication of this paper, no
bush-crickets had ever been the subject of a detailed review in the county. Furthermore, the
only comital checklist for these orders (Porritt, 1907) is now over 90 years old. Against this
unpromising baekground, it is perhaps surprising that two of the few volumes on British
orthopteroid inseets were published in Yorkshire. These include the pioneer work, written
over a century ago by Malcolm Burr. The text (and six lithographs) were issued serially in
1897, in S. L. Mosley’s The Naturalists’ Journal and Guide, published by the Economie &
Educational Museum, Huddersfield. This was volume 6 of a periodical which saw several
changes, especially in its title (Sheppard, 1916). The orthopteroid component of the volume
was intended to constitute a separately paginated supplement (Burr, 1897); with a number
of “separate copies”, in a slightly augmented form (Burr, 1 897a), also being “struck off for
future students” (Mosley, 1897). Burr’s text gives two Yorkshire records of bush-crickets,
including Bog Bush-cricket at Strensall Common (q.v.).

The enhanced understanding of bush-cricket distribution in Britain now available (Haes
& Harding, 1997; Orthoptera Recording Scheme) reinforces Yorkshire’s position as a
northern frontier. East of the Pennines, the Oak Bush-cricket is predominantly associated
with Magnesian Limestone woodland, its northerly limit being in the Ripon area. Records
t of the Dark Bush-cricket extend no further than the coast between Scarborough and Robin
Hood’s Ray, with the Bog Bush-cricket attaining the southern flank of the North York
Moors. Of the three remaining species in Yorkshire, two are restricted to the Humber
region, but the third, the Speckled Bush-cricket, has been found as far north as Harrogate,
where a recently discovered colony exists in a garden.

In seeking to understand the ranges of all these insects in Britain, Yorkshire clearly has a
significant contribution to make. A detailed knowledge of bush-cricket sites is also
(essential for their conservation. Populations are more likely to be lost or reduced through
ignorance than through collecting or disturbance. Further, any Yorkshire locality with a
resident bush-cricket is potentially a site of intrinsic importance, as the insects are often
indicators of high quality habitat, especially so far north. All records of bush-crickets in

Naturalist 123 ( 1998)

104 A Review of the Genus Metrioptera (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) in Yorkshire

Yorkshire are notable, and should be forwarded to the relevant recorder of the Yorkshire
Naturalists’ Union, and to the Orthoptera Recording Scheme organiser.

The Genus Metrioptera in Britain

In north-western Europe, the genus Metrioptera is represented by three species. The Two-
coloured Bush-cricket M. (Bicolorana) hicolor (Phil.) is widely distributed on the
Continent, and Burr (1900), in a review of the British Orthoptera, speculated that this
species “might yet turn up”, though his conjecture has proved to be mistaken. It does not
occur in Britain, and only marginally extends into Fenno-Scandia (Holst, 1986).

The remaining two species penetrate further north in Europe (Holst, 1986), and are
native in Britain, where they have dissimilar ranges. The Bog Bush-cricket is .scattered
throughout England and Wales, and also occurs in south-west Scotland, but has never been
found in Ireland (Haes & Harding, 1997). It is often a characteristic denizen of damp,
lowland heaths and mires, recorded at a maximum altitude of 290 m, in Surrey (Baldock, in
prep.). In Europe, it attains elevations of 2200 m in the central Alps (Harz, 1957), and has a
wider habitat tolerance. Roesel’s Bush-cricket is also an es.sentially lowland species in
Britain, rarely exceeding 100 m. On the Continent, it is often a common inhabitant of
grasslands, and may reach 1500 m (Harz, 1957). The species is less restricted than Bog
Bush-cricket to a specific habitat in Britain, and is currently extending its range in the south
(Ward, 1993, Haes & Harding, 1997). Originally recorded from the landward side of
coastal saltmarshes and dunes from the Humber to Kent, in recent years it has spread,
predominantly westwards and northwards, to urban wasteland, verges and agricultural set-
aside land. By the end of 1997, this expanding population was known from east Essex to
Oxfordshire (E. C. M. Haes, J. P. Widgery, in litt.)- There are also isolated populations
elsewhere, in Lancashire, Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Somerset
and mid-Wales, as well as in southern Ireland (Haes & Harding, 1997; J. P. Widgery, in
litt. )

Both are medium-sized bush-crickets, with the sexes similar. They can be identified
using keys to adults in Ragge (1965), Marshall and Haes (1988) and Brown (1990), all of
which also contain colour plates. Good photographs feature inter alia in Bellmann ( 1988),
this reference also including the Two-coloured Bush-cricket in its identification key. There
are two colour morphs, or forms, of the Bog Bush-cricket. One, f. rhaetoruin Fruhst., is
brown except for the underside of the abdomen, which is green. In the commoner typical
form, the green colouration is more extensive, including the easily observed dorsal surfaces
of the head and pronotum. Additionally, there is in this species a narrow pale band on the
hind margin of each lateral plate of the pronotum. In Roesel’s Bush-cricket, the body
colour is predominantly brown and yellow - including conspicuous yellowish patches on
the sides of the thorax - though green specimens may also be encountered. The pale band
on the sides of the pronotum is present and well developed, being broader and
encompassing the entire margin. In addition, the female Roesel’s ovipositor is shorter, and
more upcurved, than that of Bog Bush-cricket.

Although both species arc normally brachypterous, long-winged individuals capable of
flight do occur. In Britain, the first such specimen of each was encountered in the early
1920s (Lucas, 1922, 1923). Bog Bush-crickets of this form, marginata (Thunb.), are very
rare; Ragge (1973) summarised all known captures 1921-1970, and Haes (in prep.) is
updating the list. By contrast, the macroptcrous form dilitta (Charp.) of Roesel's Bush-
cricket is sometimes quite frequent in especially hot summers (Marshall & Haes, 1988),
and is es.sential for the range expansion being witnessed in southern England. However, no
macroptcrous examples of either species are so far known I rmii Yorkshire.

Despite being superficially similar in appearance, the two species are placed in different
subgcncra. Perhaps the most striking disparity between them is the contrast in their
respective stridulalions. The fast incessant buzzing of Roesel’s Bush-cricket recalls some
Locustella warblers (Burton & Johnson, 1984, Collycr, et al., 1984). Quite different is the
sound of Bog Bush-cricket, a scratchy shrill chirp, repeated .several times a second, and

A Review of the Genus Metrioptera (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) in Yorkshire 105

inaudible to many listeners. An explanation of these different types of song is given by
Schatral (1990). Both species feature inter alia on a record (Ragge, et ai, 1965) produced
as a companion to Ragge (1965), and on a cassette tape (Burton, et ai, 1987) available
alongside copies of Marshall and Haes (1988).

Metrioptera in Yorkshire

In 160 years of recording. Bog Bush-crickets have been located at eight sites in Yorkshire,
aggregated in the Humberhead Levels/Vale of York, and on the North York Moors. At
least six of these populations are still extant, and all are detailed postea. Of them, Thome
Moors and Strensall Common are especially important for the insect’s conservation in
north-eastern England. These two localities were the only ones known to Victorian
entomologists, all the others being discoveries of the present century. A ninth site,
Skipwith Common, has unconfirmed records, but the species seems to be genuinely absent,
despite the apparent suitability of the Common. In addition, a pre-1970 presence in 10 km
square SE61 (Thorne) shown in Haes and Harding (1997) is due to the misunderstanding of
a vague reference, and should be disregarded (E. C. M. Haes, J. P. Widgery, in litt.). The
Thome Moors population was intended, which lies - as mapped - further east, in SE71 .

Roesel’s Bush-cricket was the last native tettigoniid to be discovered in Yorkshire, over
half a century ago, and has the most restricted range. It is only recorded from the
Skeffling/Kilnsea area in the south-east, though the species’ current range changes in
southern England has prompted the suggestion that isolated colonies, as in Yorkshire,
require close monitoring (Widgery, 1996). The appearance of macropters in a population is
relevant to any alteration in status, and naturalists should be vigilant for them.

Yorkshire Stations of the Bog Bush-cricket

Thorne Moors

This is the only bush-cricket known from Thorne Moors today. It was first taken in 1837,
by J. C. Dale (Dale, 1863; Lucas, 1925), who thereby established the genus in Yorkshire.
The Dale Collection, in the Hope Entomological Collections, Oxford University Museum
of Natural History, contains two Thorne specimens. The first is a male labelled “Thorne
Moor’’, with the date 11th August 1837 (Lucas, 1925). The second, a female apparently
omitted by Lucas, has a data label in the same style of writing as that of the male, but is
just marked “Thorne” (D. J. Mann, C. O’Toole, in litt.). G. T. Porritt knew the species as
abundant on Thorne Moors (Porritt, 1907; Lucas, 1920), his collection at the Tolson
Memorial Museum, Huddersfield, containing eight specimens taken in 1891 labelled
“Thorne Moors”.

The first “modern” record is of a female collected by W. Bunting in 1949 and passed to
W. D. Hincks (Brown, 1950). It is still held in the collection at Manchester Museum (C.
Johnson, in litt. ). Hincks (1954) described Thorne Moors as the Yorkshire headquarters of
the species, where “Bunting has collected it quite commonly in recent years”. In the
succeeding decades the species has been frequently noted (e.g. Limbert, 1975, 1987; Key,
1994), and the distribution of records 1969-1984 is given as a list of 18 x 1 km squares in
Limbert (1986). Since then, vegetation stripping, habitat fragmentation and drainage, all
associated with industrial peat winning, have reduced the species’ numbers and restricted
its distribution. There are, however, wide areas of vegetation where colonies have been
maintained, and which are now part of the Humberhead Peatlands National Nature
Reserve. The eastern area of the moorland - Crowle Moor - lies in Lincolnshire, and the
populations on either side of the boundary still comprise the respective county
headquarters. In Lincolnshire, there are only two other extant stations known; these are
referred to in Smith (1988), without any reference to Crowle Moor.

The vegetation usually associated with the Bog Bush-cricket on Thorne Moors is
dominated by birch Betula (young and stunted older trees). Heather Callima vulgaris,
Cross-leaved Heath Erica tetralix, Purple Moor-grass Molinia caerulea. Cotton-grasses
Eriophorum and Bracken Pteridium aquilinum. Of these, the essential species are Cross-

106 A Review of the Genus Metrioptera (Orthoptera: Tetti^oniidae) in Yorkshire

leaved Heath and Purple Moor-grass. The latter is particularly favoured, and is a useful
indicator of terrain likely to harbour the insect. Individuals also continue to be occasionally
noted from Purple Small-reed Calamagrostis canescens, and in August 1980 a male was
stridulating from adjacent wheat stubble (Limbert, 1987).

Many living Thorne specimens have been examined, and a series is preserved in the
writer’s collection. This includes a female of f. rhaetorum, collected in 1987. The only
other known example of this form taken at Thorne, also a female, was obtained by B. C.
Eversham in 1980 (Limbert, 1987). The green type-form has been otherwise exclusive.

Hatfield Moors

Bog Bush-crickets still survive on Hatfield Moors, despite being under much greater threat
from peat winning. The first records were obtained 1978-80, when fieldwork by B. C.
Eversham and M. Lynes revealed the species in three 1 km squares: SE6904, 7008 and
7105 (Limbert. 1986); specimens from that time are pre.served (B. C. Eversham, pers.
comm.). During a programme of invertebrate trapping in 1990 for the Thorne & Hatfield
Moors Con.servation Forum, a nymph was found in a water trap situated in the south of the
moorland, at Poor Piece, and is now in Doncaster Museum. This finding was not included
in the report on the programme (Heaver & Eversham, 1991). Further trapping, by P.
Skidmore, to the north of Lindholme, revealed a specimen in a water trap (SE706069) in
1991; its remains are also in Doncaster Museum. The trap was situated on bare peat m an
area of Heather, close to birch and Bracken, and with Purple Moor-grass 10 m distant.

In comparison with Thorne Moors, more specimens of f. rhaetorum have been
encountered on Hatfield Moors (B. C. Eversham, pers. comm.). This may possibly reflect
the drier conditions of Hatfield Moors, which Skidmore (1997) characteri.ses as
entomologically more akin to wet heath than raised mire. Data on colour morphs from
other Yorkshire stations are required to more fully understand this phenomenon.

Strensall Common

Another important site in the county, where G. T. Porritt first detected the Bog Bush-
cricket over a century ago (Shaw, 1890). In his collection, a male specimen from Strensall
Common taken in 1889 presumably represents the discovery of the species there. This was
later alluded to by Burr ( 1 897, 1897a), Porritt ( 1 907 ) and Lucas ( 1 920). No further records
have been traced until a male was collected by J. Wood in 1949; the specimen is held at
Manchester Museum (C. Johnson, in litt.). Liverpool Museum has a female from Strensall
Common, obtained by B. C. Pickard in 1953 (T. Mawdsley, A. Fryda, in litt.). Records
were garnered from the Common in the 1960s by C. 1. Simms and J. H. Flint, the latter
retaining a male specimen in 1967 (Y.N.U. records; H. E. Flint, in litt.). E. C. M. Haes (in
litt.) encountered the species in 1974 and 1977.

Subsequently, in the 1980s, Marshall and Haes (1988) described the colony as “very
strong and long known”. J. H. Flint collected single specimens in 1981 (female) and 1987
(male); and L. Lloyd-Evans found a “thriving colony” in Purple Moor-grass at the northern
end of the Common (Limbert, 1986). In 1991, J. P. Killingbeck (in litt.) recorded the
species on several parts of the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust reserve, especially where Purple
Moor-grass was present. The bush-crickets were seen to feed on the seeds of this grass. A.
Grayson de.scribed the reserve as holding a “large colony" (Limbert. 1991), and
subsequently provided additional records from other parts of the Common. In total, his data
embrace the years from 1988 to the present, and combined with those of other observers
from the 1 980s- 1990s show the species to persist in at least four 1 km squares: SE6360,
6459, 6461 and 6561.

DUNNINCiTON

At Dunnington, to the south-east of Strensall Common, the Rev. T. B. Kitchen collected an
immature pair (contra Hincks, 1954) in 1947 (Brown, 1949). The exact site is uncertain,
but is now probably destroyed. The female of the pair, determined by W. D. Hincks,
resides at Manchester Museum (C. Johnson, in litt.).

A Review of the Genus Metrioptera ( Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) in Yorkshire 1 97
Wykeham Forest

A male was collected by W. D. Hincks in 1953 from a “heather-covered clearing in the
middle of the Forestry Commission’s Wykeham Forest” (Hincks, 1954). This specimen is
also at Manchester Museum (C. Johnson, in lift.).

Fylingdales Moor

This moorland was given as a site by Walsh (1956), on the authority of H. Britten sen.,
who died in 1954. Neither a location nor a specimen have been traced. However, a possible
clue to the location was forthcoming in 1991, when D. Horsfield collected a female, in an
area of Sphagnum and Purple Moor-grass (map reference NZ9 19982), from a valley mire
near Bloody Beck and Brown Hill. At 190 m, this is the highest localised station for the
species in Yorkshire. Only the Wykeham Forest site is potentially of greater altitude. The
specimen involved is now in Doncaster Museum.

Fen Bog

Marshall and Haes (1988) observed that the Bog Bush-cricket “continues to thrive” at the
Y.W.T. reserve of Fen Bog. Although the reserve lies close to Fylingdales Moor, it may
nevertheless be regarded as distinct from it. The species was originally discovered during
the hot summer of 1976. E. C. M. Haes described a walk along Newton Dale and North
Dale to Goathland made on 17th July (Haes, 1977), but he deliberately made no mention at
that time of the Bog Bush-crickets he encountered along the route. At least six, including
four females, were located on the south-westernmost edge of Fen Bog that adjoins the
North Yorkshire Moors Railway. All are thought to have been green morph specimens
(E. C. M. Haes, in lift.). A few weeks later, on 7th August, S. A. Moran and J. L. B. Mallet
found Bog Bush-crickets to be fairly common between the Railway and Fen Bog, though
with none on the mire itself (S. A. Moran, in litt. \ Limbert, 1991). Of these, single male and
female specimens were collected and deposited by Moran in the Hull & East Riding
Museum. Finally, A. Grayson (in lift.) has two specimens from Fen Bog: a male taken in
1990 (Haes, 1991; Limbert, 1991), a female in 1995. Both were found to the south of Eller
Beck, on the eastern edge of the mire.

, JuGGER Howe Dale

During the field meeting of the Y.N.U. Entomological Section and other entomologists at
' Scar and Castlebeck Woods and Jugger Howe Dale, in 1986, R. D. Hawkins encountered
the species on the western side of Jugger Howe Dale. In a stretch of Heather at map
' reference SE947967, one male and two females were found; and in a “heathery clearing” at
Park Hill (SE946972), there were several males and three females (R. D. Hawkins, in litt.\
1 Limbert, 1991). Again, it seems reasonable to differentiate this locality from Fylingdales
Moor sensu stricto.

Roesel’s Bush-cricket in the Skeffling/Kilnsea Area
I Discovery and early records

The first reference to Roesel’s Bush-cricket in Yorkshire is from Burr (1936), who stated
that the species had been recorded on the English east coast, “from Herne Bay to the
Humber”. He added that “I have notes of its occurrence from north-east Kent (Herne Bay),
Essex, Lincoln and Yorkshire . . .”. His book includes the first, though inevitably
generalised, distribution maps of orthopteroid insects in Britain. That for Roesel’s Bush-
cricket indicates a range extending along the Humber and on the Yorkshire coast
northwards to Scarborough. The source of this information was not explained, and Hincks
(1950) later noted (^.v.) that “Burr . . . mentions this species from Yorkshire and includes
the Spurn area in the distribution map but 1 have not yet traced any more definite record”.
Indeed, Burr had created a puzzle which still did not have a satisfactory answer over 60
years later. Its solution appears to lie in the Hull & East Riding Museum. That part of the
Thos Stainforth Collection which still survives there includes two specimens of Roesel’s

108 A Review of the Genus Metrioptera (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) in Yorkshire

Bush-cricket, one of each sex, with identical data: taken on the “Humber shore
Easington/Skeffiing” on 15th September 1934. It is assumed that Stainforth himselt
collected them.

During the years 1947-1950, four extended visits were made to the Spurn area by
members of the Entomological Section of the Y.N.U. (Hincks, 1951). These were then
augmented by three similar visits during the years 1951-1953 (Anon., 1954). It was this
intensive programme of fieldwork which firmly re-established the presence of Roesel’s
Bush-cricket in Yorkshire. W. D. Hincks encountered a single nymph along Long Bank
Dyke, Kilnsea, in 1947, and he attempted, though failed, to rear it. Visiting the Dyke in the
following year, Hincks located several nymphs, and succeeded in rearing one of them. This
was described by him as “a fine male” (Brown, 1949, Hincks, 1950), and is held at
Manchester Museum (C. Johnson, in lilt.). Hincks himself characterised the species as
distributed on the English east coast, “to Yorks.” (Hincks, 1949), and writing more
specifically of the Spurn area (Hincks, 1950), provided the greater detail noted above. Like
Brown (1949), he added the allusion to Roesel’s Bush-cricket in Yorkshire by Burr (1936),
and, as noted, was clearly uncertain about it.

Further attention by Hincks resulted in two males being collected at “Skeffling” in 1949
(Brown, 1950; Hincks, 1951a), now preserved alongside the 1948 specimen at Manchester
Museum. Nymphs were also found at Walker Butts Bank Dyke (see Cudworth, 1995) in
1952 (Hincks, 1953). In 1953, the species was still to be found “sparingly” at both Long
Bank Dyke and Walker Butts Bank Dyke, despite the extensive inundation by the sea in
January of that year (Hincks, 1954). Ironically, the latter dyke was destroyed during the
year for flood protection work occasioned by January’s events. A last station for the insect,
documented by Hincks and Shaw ( 1954), was “North Lane”, Kilnsea (known to naturalists
as “Beacon Lane”), where nymphs were discovered in 1952 and 1953. Pickard (1954),
naming the species the Margined Bush-cricket, from the appearance of the lateral plates of
the pronotum (and Bog Bush-cricket as the Half-margined Bush-cricket), misleadingly
summarised all these records as from the “south east coast” of Yorkshire. His specimens at
the Natural History Museum, London, include two of this species - both males - collected
at “Spurn Head” in 1955 (D. R. Ragge, in lift.).

Little was then heard of the bush-cricket for almost 20 years. Within that period,
members of the Hull Scientific & Field Naturalists’ Club came upon “a large number of
Bush Crickets at Kilnsea” when there “one summer”; they were identified by D. H. Smith
retrospectively from specimens he collected in 1964 (Kemp, 1963; Smith, 1965). These
latter, a male and a female, were taken at roughly TA415 159, in the Beacon Lane area, and
are still held in his collection (D. H. Smith, in lift.). At the beginning of the succeeding
decade, Flint (1971 ) referred in a general way to the species “at Kilnsea”. Three years later,
the first (preliminary) national distribution atlas (Skelton, 1974) reflected the contemporary
lack of widely available and precise data. It indicated only a pre-1961 occurrence in the
two 10 km squares in which Roesel’s Bush-cricket had been encountered in Yorkshire.

Modern recording

Ironically, 1974 also saw the beginning of modern interest in Roesel’s Bush-cricket. In that
year, E. C. M. Haes visited the area, and found a nymph of the species “at the north end of
the newly enlarged lagoon on the coast south-east of Easington” (Haes, 1975). In 1975,
adult specimens were located by the writer along Beacon Lane, Kilnsea, where eight males
were logged, all stridulating from “long, coarse grass” except one which was inhabiting an
area dominated by Common Reed Fhragmites just beyond the northern end of the

lane (Limbert, 1975a). The colony was also examined again in later years, when fewer
males were heard. Four specimens from Beacon Lane are preserved in the writer’s
collection, taken in 1978 (single male and female) and 1980 (two males).

Biglin and Moran (1982) reported on a survey of the (Jrthoptera associated with the
north bank of the Humber during 1974-80, which included data on Roesel’s Bush-cricket.
Four stations were located. These comprised Beacon Lane and Long Bank Dyke, and two
further populations along other dykes (at TA390I80 and 411157). They commented that

A Review of the Genus Metrioptera (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) in Yorkshire 109

the densest population was found at the northern end of Long Bank Dyke, . . where
during the summer of 1980 the song of the males was a major feature of that area”. During
the survey period, they found the species distributed over a total of nine 1 km squares, “in
each case associated with a drainage channel”. Two males and one female collected by
Moran in 1976 from Long Bank Dyke are preserved in the Hull and East Riding Museum.

During the 1980s-1990s, other naturalists encountered Roesel’s Bush-crickets,
particularly in the Kilnsea area. The records were mainly of a casual nature, involving
stridulating males, one of which was photographed by D. Bowes and published in Spurn
Wildlife {BeW etal., 1994).

The exception is a detailed survey by J. P. Killingbeck, undertaken during the years
1991-1994 (Killingbeck, 1997, 1997a). This was based on listening for males; “. . . the
general pattern of distribution seems to coincide with farmland previously salt marshes . . .
Almost any ditch in farmland south of Easington may potentially harbour a [bush-]cricket
population”. The core of the population was in the Long Bank area. Confusingly, the
population at “Long Bank west” is described as comprising “about 104 males”
(Killingbeck, 1997) and “about 140 males” (Killingbeck, 1997a). The latter figure is
incorrect, and arose from a typographical error (J. P. Killingbeck, in litt.). Most other parts
were less densely populated, though with some annual fluctuations, and with some of the
more peripheral colonies perhaps being impermanent. Most sites are listed in detail, and a
general map given.

Killingbeck concluded that the insect requires “. . . long, uncut, grassy vegetation of
reasonable density with good exposure to the sun”, adding that it was “. . . absent from
sparse vegetation and short grass”. However, some ability seemed apparent to colonise
waste ground which had areas of long grass. In general, the most favoured grasses
appeared to be False Oat-grass Arrhenatherum elatius and Sea Couch Elytrigia atherica,
though many individuals were detected in coarser herbage of Common Nettle Urtica dioica
and Bramble Rubiis fruticosus agg. Killingbeck also noticed a tendency for populations to
follow drainage channels, but added that the correlation may not always be valid. It could
be an artefact of the survival of suitable vegetation in the modern arable landscape.

Acknowledgements

I am grateful to E. C. M. Haes, former organiser of the Orthoptera Recording Scheme, for
helpful correspondence, and for commenting on the paper. It was also examined by J. P.
Widgery, the current organiser of the Scheme. Further thanks are offered to the following
for their assistance in providing and clarifying data and references: D. W. Baldock, J.
Collins (Maggs Bros Ltd), J. Cudworth (Spurn Bird Observatory), M. L. Denton
(Yorkshire Museum, York), B. C. Eversham, A. Fryda (Liverpool Museum), Mrs H. E.
Flint, A. Grayson (Y.N.U. recorder for orthopteroid insects), Mrs R. Hadden (formerly of
the Tolson Memorial Museum, Huddersfield), Ms M. M. Hartley (Cliffe Castle Museum,
Keighley), R. D. Hawkins, S. J. Hayhow, P. Hodgson, D. Horsfield, C. Johnson
(Manchester Museum), J. P. Killingbeck, L. Lloyd-Evans, D. J. Mann (Oxford University
Museum of Natural History), C. I. Massey (formerly of Wood End Museum, Scarborough),
T. Mawdsley (Liverpool Museum), S. A. Moran (formerly of Hull City Museums), A.
Norris (Leeds City Museum), C. O’Toole (Oxford University Museum of Natural History),
Mrs J. Payne, Dr D. R. Ragge (Natural History Museum, London), D. H. Smith, M. F.
Stanley (Museums, Art Galleries and Archives, Leisure Services Dept, Kingston upon Hull
City Council), D. Whiteley (Sheffield City Museum) and C. S. V. Yeates (Tolson
Memorial Museum). Dr P. Skidmore, former recorder of orthopteroid insects for the
Y.N.U., allowed me access to the records when in his care.

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Walsh, G. B. (1956). Order - ORTHOPTERA. In: Walsh, G. B. and Rimington, F. C. (eds) The
Natural History of the Scarborough District. Vol. 2. Zoology. Scarborough.

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Section B. Impacts of the hot summers 1989 and 1990, in Impacts of the Mild Winters and
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Widgery, J. [P.] (1996). Roesel’s Bush Cricket, Metrioptera roeselii. Evidence sought for
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112

BOOK REVIEWS

Provisional Atlas of the Aculeate Hymenoptera of Britain and Ireland. Part 1 edited
by Robin Edwards. Pp. 139, with 56 maps. Biological Records Centre, Huntingdon. 1997.
£6.00 paperback.

This provisional atlas is the first of a series to be published at two-year intervals. Each part
will deal with between 50 and 60 species. Part 1 deals with 55 species of wasps, ants and
bees. One map is given for each species at 10km resolution with three year classes: before
1900, 1900-1969 and 1970-1995. The maps cover Britain, Ireland and the Channel Islands.
The coverage is reasonable except for Ireland and Scotland. The species accounts give a
succinct review of current knowledge under such headings as: habitat and status, flight
period and nesting biology, pollen and prey collected, flowers visited and parasites. An
extensive bibliography supports this information, although some of the information is
based on unpublished observations. In the introduction a brief history of the Bees, Wasps
and Ants Recording Society (BWARS) is given. This book represents a good beginning to
recording distribution and is essential for aculeate Hymenoptera students. BWARS
members have received a free copy.

MEA

Blowflies by Z. p]rzinciioglii. Pp. 71, including 21 figures & 4 colour plates. Naturalists
Handbooks no. 23. Richmond Publishing. 1996. £15.00 hardback, £8.95 paperback.

The author dehnes Blowflies as members of the family Calliphoridae and between the
covers of this small publication we find an amazing wealth of information on these very
important and much-maligned but fascinating insects. A well-known authority on
blowflies, the author discusses their biology, habits and morphology in considerable detail
and in an extremely readable style, before dealing with their relationship to man. Here are
discussed such diverse subjects as myiasis, exemplified by the death of Herod Agrippa.
King of Judaea in ad 48, their relationship with disease, and their role in war, including the
use of the larvae of some species in treatment of wounds. Forensic applications and the
significance of blowflies in archaeological research, the helds in which the author has been
particularly involved, are then briefly addressed. There is a concise section on
identification, by means of which most species may be readily determined. In this section,
however, there is no key to the species of the genus Polleiiia, an unfortunate omission as
these flies are important earthworm parasites and include the very familiar “Cluster-llies”
which occur very commonly indoors in autumn and spring. Those using this book for
purposes of identification of adults should note akso that the use of very conservative
nomenclature has resulted in a slight problem with regard to one of the common species,
Melinda viridicyanea (= Bellardia cognate, sensu Erzinclioglu). In the 1976 Checklist of
British Diptera this was erroneously included in the genus Bellardia, instead of Melinda,
and unfortunately this error is perpetuated in the work under review. Thus this species will
not work out in the key to adults on p. 48 becau.se, like M. gentilis, the lower calypter is
bare on the upper surface (not hairy as in Bellardia). It is unfortunate that the nomenclature
of Rognes (1991 Blowflies (Diptera Calliphoridae) of Fennoscandia and Denmark. Fauna
Entomologica Scandinavica 24) was not followed by the author but this does not detract
from the book’s considerable scientific value. Furthermore, such is Zak’s clarity of delivery
that even those with only a passing interest in entomology would gain much from this
literary gold-mine.

PS

113

NOTES ON YORKSHIRE MOLLUSCA - NUMBER 11:
A YORKSHIRE RED DATA BOOK FOR LAND AND
FRESHWATER MOLLUSCA

Compiled by
ADRIAN NORRIS

Recorder Yorkshire Conchological Society, Senior Curator Natural Sciences,
Leeds Museums and Galleries.

Introduction

Modern trends towards the identification of rare, vulnerable and endangered species within
our flora and fauna have led to a number of forms of Red Data Books. The proposed
production of a Red Data Book for the Watsonian County of Yorkshire, has led to
considerable discussion amongst the county’s conchologists. A simple list of rare and
endangered species would be very similar to, but smaller, than the National Red Data Book
list. It was felt, therefore, that a fuller list which included locally vulnerable and
endangered species, with some notes, would be of more help to naturalists, conservationists
and the managers of nature reserves and sites of special scientific interest within the county
of Yorkshire.

The occurrence of any species on this list, therefore, does not indicate its status
nationally or internationally. Those species that do occur in the British Red Data Book
(Bratton, 1991), or the lUCN Invertebrate Red Data Book (Wells, 1983) are indicated and
full details of habitats etc. can be found in those publications. The references cited are
those notes and papers giving details of their distribution, status or some similar
information which may be useful for further reference.

A short note was published on the rare and extinct freshwater mollusca of Yorkshire in
Norris ( 1988); the following note adds some new or additional information. The list with its
notes and comments is based purely on the present situation within the five vice-counties
forming the traditional recording area of Yorkshire The national and International status of any
of the species is highlighted after the local status: RDB A British Red Data Book Species. lUCN
are listed in the International Invertebrate Red Data Book.

Land Gastropods

POMATIIDAE

Pomatias elegans (Muller, 1774) Endangered

A very local snail restricted to relatively frost free and sheltered localities. A southern
Mediterranean species, it reaches its optimum northern distribution in Britain within the
county. It is considered to be declining with extinctions occurring in many of its original
localities in the north.

Ref. Kerney (1972).

Succinea (Succinella) ohlonga Draparnaud, 1801 Endangered

This very local species has only been recorded from three locations within the county, one
of which on Castle Hill, Scarborough, has been lost.

Ref. Norris (1978a & 1982).

Vertiginidae

Trimcatellina cylindrica (Ferussac, 1807) Endangered

A nationally rare species, it is now thought to be on the verge of extinction in Britain. In
recent years this species has only been found living in one locality within the county.

Ref. Norris ( 1976 & 1978).

Naturalist 123 (1998)

114

A Yorkshire Red Data Book for Land and Freshwater Mollusca
Vertigo (Vertigo) pusilta Muller, 1774 Vulnerable

This small snail is found only on very old ivy covered walls, usually under trees. The lack
of suitable walls due to poor wall maintenance, combined with other factors in a changing
landscape, could place this species in jeopardy.

Vertigo (Vertigo) alpestris Alder, 1838 Vulnerable

This small snail is found on ivy covered walls, often found in association with the above
species, and as such is equally vulnerable to change.

Vertigo (Vertigo) geyeri Lindholm, 1825 Endangered RDB

This nationally rare species has only recently been added to the list of Yorkshire species.
Its distribution within the county is still under investigation, but knowledge of this species
in Ireland would suggest that it is very vulnerable to changes in habitat.

Ref. Lindley (1995).

Chondrinidae

Abida secale (Draparnaud, 1801 ) Local

Found only on the high altitude mountain limestone escarpments and in screes below,
usually at a height of 1,()()0 ft or more.

Arionidae

Arion (Arion) lusitanicus Mabille, 1868 Status unknown

This species has only been recorded from two localities within the county. The status and
distribution of this slug is very difficult to establish due to difficulties associated with
separating it from a closely allied species.

Ref. Armitage ( 1967).

ZONITIDAE

Vitrea (Vitrea) suhrimata (Reinhardt, 1871) Local

This arctic relict species is only found on the high altitude mountain limestone escarpments
and the screes and grasslands above and below. It is usually found deep under scree or deep
set boulders.

Ref. Norris (1975).

Limacidae

Limcix (Limacus) maculatus (Kaleniczenko, 1851) Status unknown

This slug is only known from one village in the Yorkshire Dales. A very common slug in
Ireland and in some parts of Britain, as yet it does not seem to have become established
within the county.

Ref. Norris (1992).

Makicolimax tenellus Muller, 1774 Endangered

This slug is only found in the late autumn and is confined to very damp old woodland.
Many of its old habitats have been lost and it is now confined to a very few stations within
the county.

Deroceras (Agriolimax) agrestis (Linnaeus, 1758) Vulnerable

Recorded from limestone pastures both on the mountain limestone and the magnesium
limestone in Yorkshire. This slug is very scarce even in areas in which it is known to occur,
as well as being very restricted in its distribution.

Te.siaceeudae

Testacella (Testacella) maugei Ferussac, 1819, Extinct?

Testacella (Testacella) haliotidea Draparnaud, 1 801 Extinct?

There have been no records of these slugs from the county in the last 50 years.

115

A Yorkshire Red Data Book for Land and Freshwater Mollusca

Testacella (Testacella) scutulum Sov/crhy, 1821 Endangered
Locally rare, almost confined to old long-established gardens such as the Valley Gardens at
Scarborough.

Ref Norris (1987).

Helicidae

Candidula gigaxii (Pfeiffer, 1850) Endangered

This snail has been recorded from a number of sites within the county but it has always
been locally scarce. Several of the known sites have also been lost due to changes to its
habitat.

Helicella (Helicella) itala (Linnaeus, 1758) Status unknown

This species used to be very common throughout Yorkshire, but over the last 50 years
nearly two-thirds of its known locations have been lost. The reason for this drastic
reduction in its distribution nationally is unknown.

Freshwater Gastropods

ViVIPARIDAE

Viviparus contectus (Millet, 1758) Vulnerable

Known as Lister’s River Snail, this freshwater snail was first recorded by Dr Martin Lister
over 300 hundred years ago (Lister, 1678). It has survived in a very few localities and is
now considered to be very local. The few localities in which it is still found are very
vulnerable to change.

Hydrobiidae

Hydrobia (Hydrobia) ventrosa (Montagu, 1803) Vulnerable

Known only from a small number of saline ditches bordering the Humber bank near Spurn.
Assimineidae

Assiminea grayana Fleming, 1828 Vulnerable

Only known from two small areas of saline marsh on the banks of the River Humber.
Ellobiidae

Ovatella (Myosotella) myosotis (Draparnaud, 1801) Vulnerable

Restricted to a small number of sites on the saline marshes on the banks of the River
Humber.

Lymnaeidae

Lymnaea (Galba) glabra (Muller, 1774) Endangered RDB

Very local in temporary pools and ditches, mainly in the south-east of the county. This is a
nationally rare species with the centre of its European distribution situated in South
Yorkshire.

Myxus glutinosa (Muller, 1774) EXTINCT RDB

Nationally rare. Thought to be extinct in Yorkshire. Previously recorded from near Hull
and Scarborough.

Planorbiidae

Gyraidus laevis (Alder, 1838) Vulnerable

Very locally distributed. Extinct in many of its former Yorkshire localities, this rare species
is found in numbers in very few locations within the county.

116 A Yorkshire Red Data Book for Land and Freshwater Mollitscae

Segmentina nitida (Muller, 1774) EXTINCT RDB

Formerly widely recorded, this species has declined to the point of near extinction in
Britain. Thought to be extinct in Yorkshire.

Menetus (Micromenetus) dilatatus (Gould, 1841 ) Vulnerable

Recorded from only one location within the county. The site has been visited on two
occasions recently and no specimens could be found, due possibly to alterations to the
habitats in the area.

Acroloxidae

Ferrisia wautieri (Mirolli, 1960) Status unknown

Recorded from only one location within the county, the Calder and Hebble Canal near
Elland.

Ref. Norris (1982a).

Freshwater Bivalves
Margaritiferidae

Margaritifera margaritifera (Linnaeus, 1758) Endangered lUCN

It is estimated that there are no more than 100 adults left in the only Yorkshire location for
this internationally rare freshwater bivalve.

Unionidae

Pseudanodonta complamita (Rossmassler, 1835) Vulnerable

Local and scarce in some rivers and canals in Yorkshire. This species has gone from many
of its former sites within the county.

Sphaeriidae

Sphaerium (Sphaeriastnirn) rivicola (Lamarck, 1818) Vulnerable
Local and scarce in some rivers and canals in Yorkshire.

Sphaerium (MuscuUum) transversum (Say, 1829) Vulnerable

Only known from one location within the county, the junctions of the River Foss with the
River Ouse at York.

PiSIDIIDAE

Pisidium (Pisidium) pseudosphaerium Schlesch, 1949 Extinct? RDB

Only recorded from one location within the county, a marshy pond in the north of the
county. Only one specimen was ever found in this pond. Recorded in large number in fossil
deposits in South Yorkshire (Norris, 1971).

Pisidium (Pisidium) lilljehorgii Clessin, 1886 Vulnerable
Rare, recorded from very few Yorkshire locations.

Pisidium (Pisidium) pulchellum Jenyns, 1832 Vulnerable
Rare and very local with very few Yorkshire sites known.

Pisidium (Pisidium) moitessierianum Paladilhe, 1866 Vulnerable
Very Rare, very few Yorkshire records.

Pisidium (Pisidium) tenuilineatum Stelfox, 1918 Vulnerable

Very rare, only one known Yorkshire site in the River Wharfe at Grassington, and only one
specimen has ever been found.

Norris, (1993).

117

A Yorkshire Red Data Book for Land and Freshwater MoUusca

Dreissena polymorpha (Pallas, 1771) Vulnerable

The distribution of this species has been drastically reduced in recent years. The reasons for

this are unknown but it has gone from many of its former habitats.

References

Armitage, J. and Norris, A. (1967). Slugs new to Leeds. Naturalist 88: 8.

Bratton, J. H. (1991). British Red Data Book: 3 Invertebrates other than Insects. Joint
Nature Conservation Committee.

Kerney, M. P. (1972). The British distribution of Pomatias elegans (Muller) J. Conch.
27: 359-361.

Bindley, D. J. (1995). Vertigo geyeri (Lindholm, 1925) a snail new to Yorkshire. Naturalist
120: 35-39.

Lister, M. (1674). An extract of a letter concerning the first part of his tables of snails etc.
Phil. Trans. 9: (105): 96-99, 1 pi.

Norris, A., Barley, D. D. and Gaunt, G. D. (1971). An account of the deposit of shell marl
at Burton Salmon, West Yorkshire. Naturalist 96: 57-63.

Norris, A. (1975). Notes on Vitrea subrimata Reinhardt in Yorkshire. Conchologists’
Newsletter 53 (June) 438.

Norris, A. (1976). Triincatellina cylindrica (Ferussac) in Yorkshire, Naturalist 101: 23-21 .

Norris, A. (1978). Additional notes on Truncatellina in Yorkshire. Naturalist 103: 23.

Norris, A. (1982a). Notes on the occurrence of Succinea (Succinella) oblonga Draparnaud
1801, in Yorkshire, Naturalist 103: 29-30.

Norris, A. (1982). Notes on Yorkshire Mollusca - 4 Succinea (Succinella) oblonga
Draparnaud 1801 at Queen Mary’s Dubb, Ripon. Naturalist 107: 18.

Norris, A. (1982a). Notes on Yorkshire Mollusca - 5 Ferrisia wautieri (Mirolli, 1960) a
freshwater Limpet, new to Yorkshire. Naturalist 107: 59-60.

Norris, A. (1987). Notes on Yorkshire Mollusca - 7 The Genus Testacella in Yorkshire
Naturalist \\2: 103-106.

Norris, A. (1988). Freshwater Mollusca: the rare and the extinct. Bulletin Y.N.U. 10: 22-25.

Norris, A. (1992). Notes on Yorkshire Mollusca - 9 Liinax (Limacus) maculatus
(Kaleniczenco, 1851) a slug new to Yorkshire, Naturalist 117: 131-132.

Norris, A. (1993). Notes on Yorkshire Mollusca - 10 Pisidium tenuilineatwn Stelfox, 1918
a small bivalve mollusc new to Yorkshire. Naturalist 118: 17.

Wells, S. M. et cd. (1983). The lUCN Invertebrate Red Data Book. Old Woking, Surrey.

ON J. W. DUNNING’S AUTHORSHIP OF SOME EARLY
OBSERVATIONS ON YORKSHIRE

GEOFFREY FRYER

Rimington and Beaumond (Naturalist 121: 145-155, 1996) reported the finding of
extensive manuscript entries relating to Yorkshire Lepidoptera in an interleaved copy of
Rennie’s A Conspectus of Butterflies and Moths found in Britain (1832) that had evidently
belong to, and was signed by Joseph William Dunning. All their evidence suggested that
the annotations were by the hand that signed the book but they were unable to establish this
conclusively. Happily, evidence that virtually clinches Dunning’s authorship exists.

It is now established that Dunning became a pupil at Peter Inchbald’s school at Storthes
Hall area that several of the records emmanated at the appropriate time. Notwithstanding
his youth (he was only 13 to 14 years old over the period in question), these were in deed
his own, though they no doubt reflect the encouragement and guidance of his teacher,
Inchbald, himself a competent naturalist. In C. P. Hobkirk’s Huddersfield: its history and
natural history (1859; 2nd ed. 1868), both Dunning and Peter Inchbald are amongst the

Naturalist 123(1998)

118

Book Reviews

entomologists thanked for their contributions to the list of Lepidoptera that appears in that
work. Moreover, Dunning is specially thanked for information on the so-called
‘Microlepidoptera’, of which many species are listed for Storthes Hall. In this connection
Hobkirk refers to him as ‘Mr. Dunning of Cambridge, formerly a pupil at Storthes Hall’;
Dunning indeed graduated at Cambridge in 1856 and was subsequently for a time a Fellow
of his college.

As Remington and Beaumont relate, Dunning, who was something of an infant prodigy
in entomology, was an exceptionally gifted individual who became a lawyer but retained a
life-long interest in insects, becoming, at different times, both Secretary and President of
what is now the Royal Entomological Society. The evidence provided by Hobkirk makes it
almost certain that he was indeed the author of the manuscript records of Yorkshire
Lepidoptera added to his copy of Rennie’s Conspectus.

Two points require mention. There are discrepancies between Dunning’s lists and that of
Hobkirk. Ironically, one of these helps to confirm the origin of Hobkirk’s record. The latter
seldom gives dates, but for the Feathered Gothic Tholera decimalis (cited in both lists by an
older name) he adds “One taken on grass at Storths Hall, in 1847”, this being the earlier of
only two records, whereas the manuscript list says “At Storthes one specimen on grass in
Sept. 1846”. Both clearly refer to the same record with confusion of the year. More
puzzling are instances where Storthes Hall species in Dunning’s list are not cited from there
by Hobkirk, and not because they were common in the Huddersfield area. Others do not
appear at all. As W. E. Rimington, who has had much experience in these matters, and to
whom I am indebted for helpful correspondence, remarks such problems are commonplace
to those who deal with old records, the analysis of which is often less conclusive than one
would wish. An explanation of these anomalies is likely to remain elusive.

The only other possible, but much less likely, contender for authorship of the manuscript
notes appears to be Peter Inchbald, who could be eliminated if a specimen of his
handwriting exists.

BOOK REVIEWS

British Plant Communities. Volume 4, Aquatic communities, swamps and tail-herb
fens edited by .1. S. Rodwell. Pp. 283, with figures, distribution maps & tables. Cambridge
University Press. 1998. £24.95 paperback.

A paperback version of this important work, reviewed in The Naturalist 121: 10 (1996),
the modest price making it much more accessible to potential users. An essential tool for
both professional and amateur botanists and ecologists engaged in teaching, research,
fieldwork and conservation.

Thorne & Hatfield Moors Papers, Volume 4 edited by Martin Limbert and Brian C.
Eversham. Pp. viii -t- 95, including numerous line drawings & 2 plates ( I in colour). 1997.
Available from Martin Limbert, Museum & Art Gallery, Chequer Road, Doncaster DNI
2AE, price £4.00 (plus £1.00 postage) payable to Thorne & Hatfield Moors Conservation
Forum.

The latest issue of this journal for the ecology, palaeoecology, history and conservation of
the Humberside Levels is dedicated to William Bunting (1916-1995) and contains articles
on recent discoveries and future management of this important natural history resource.
Contributions on the following subjects arc included; palaeoecological research (Buckland
& Dinnin); a fossil in.sect assemblage (Whitchousc); an overview of the flora, vegetation
and ecology (Eversham); a comparative study of the insect faunas of the two moors
(Skidmore); site management and bird recording (Roworth); English Nature’s management
plan (Kohler) and English Nature’s management progress (Roworth).

ENTOMOLOGICAL REPORT: DIPTERA (TIPULIDAE)

119

ROY CROSSLEY

There is a long history of interest in Tipulidae (‘Craneflies’, or ‘Daddy-long-legs’) in
Yorkshire, the most prolific collector of an earlier generation being C. A. Cheetham who
was actively recording throughout much of the 1920s and 1930s, and to a lesser extent in
the following decade. Others followed, notably K, G. Payne in the 1950s, and P. Skidmore
and W. A. Ely more recently. Other dipterists, some of them visitors to the county, have
made contributions in varying degrees, and the consequence of all this past activity has
been the amassing of an abundance of data spanning nearly eighty years.

Even so, as is the case with most insects, there are still many areas of Yorkshire in which
tipulids have been under-recorded in the past, and this is highlighted in the report which
follows. John D. Coldwell has, like myself, recently taken up the study of this family,
working principally in the country to the west of Barnsley, while I have concentrated on
the East Riding and north-east Yorkshire; the recording of tipulids in these areas has
clearly benefited from having dipterists living within fairly close proximity.

Since 1995, eleven species have been added to the Yorkshire list, all of which are
detailed below (t). The listed species include ten Red Data Book (RDB), and fourteen
Nationally Notable (Nb) species, as provisionally recommended by Falk, (1991). More
than fifty species are new to Yorkshire Vice-Counties and the most significant of these are
included in this report (*). Unless otherwise indicated the records are those of J. D.
Coldwell and R. Crossley.

I am indebted to Mr J. D. Coldwell for supplying his records, and to Mr A. E. Stubbs for
much assistance with the identification of many of my captures.

* Ctenophora (s.g. Tanyptera) nigricornis Mg. RDB3 (61) Skipwith Common 15/5/95
R.C. There are few Yorkshire records for this species, of which only three have been
since 1948. Nationally it is widely distributed in mainland Britain, but only ten further
post- 1960 sites are known (Falk, 1991).

* Nephrotoma cornicina (L.) (64) High Batts, Ripon, 8/8/96 R.C. A further specimen
was found in my greenhouse at Wilberfoss (61), 7/8/97. The only previous Yorkshire
records are Bedale (65), 1923, and Barmby Moor (61), 1936. The Bedale record may
not be reliable.

* Tipula (s.g. Savtshenkia) grisescens Zett. RDB3 (63) Little Don Valley, 12/4/97 J.D.C.
Previous Yorkshire records are from classic Cheetham collecting sites in the Craven
uplands, mostly in the 1930s.

t T. (s.g. 5.) holoptera Edw. Nb (62) Strensall Common, 9/10/96 R.C.; (*63) Winscar
Reservoir, 27/9/97 J.D.C. ; Langsett, 18/10/97 J.D.C. An autumnal species and
probably under-recorded on that account.

* T. (s.g. S.) ohsoleto Mg. (61) Thornton Ellers, 10/10/96 R.C. Another autumnal
species, previously recorded from Goathland, 1937, and Wykeham, 1979 (both
VC62).

* T. (s.g. Yamatotipula) couckei Tonnoir in Goetg. & Tonnoir (62) Forge Valley Woods
NNR, 12/8/97. Norton Ings (61), banks of river Derwent, 7/8/97 R.C. This species
appears to be very localised in Yorkshire with few, widely scattered, localities across
the county. All but one of the previous records are pre-1960.

* T. (s.g. Tipula s.s.) siibcunctans Alexander (61) Thornton Ellers, 10/10/96 R.C.; (*63)
Winscar Reservoir, 8/10/97 J.D.C., Langsett, 18/10/97 J.D.C. An autumnal species
and possibly under-recorded on that account.

* Triogma trisulcata (Schum.) RDB3 (62) Seivedale Fen, Dalby Forest, 9/5/97 R.C.;
(*63) Little Don Valley, 31/5/97 J.D.C. Previously recorded from such classic VC64

Naturalist 123 (1998)

120

Entomological Report: Diptera (Tipniidae)

sites as Austwick Moss, Thieves Moss and Malham Tarn in the 1930s and 1950s; a
species of seepages and upland streams with about six widely scattered post- 1960 sites
known in Britain (Falk, 1991 ).

* Phalacrocera replicata (L.) Nb (61) Skipwith Common, 25/4/97 R.C.; (*62) Strensall
Common, 3/5/95 R.C. This species was reported from Malham in the course of the
Y.N.U. Entomological Section’s survey in the late 1950s. Since that time it has been
reported from Delph and Thorne Moors (both VC63). The few remaining Yorkshire
records are pre-1940 and from the western half of the county.

Limonia (s.g. Limonia s.s.) dilutior (Edw.) (61) Barmby Moor, 26/8/97 R.C. There are
few Yorkshire records for this species: Spurn (61), 1928; Barnard Castle (65), 1980;
Crummack Dale (64), 1983. It is often found in as.sociation with Broom (Sarothummis
scoparius (L.)).

* L. (s.g. L) masoni (Edw.) RDB3 (61) Bishop Wilton (chalk quarry), 4/6/96 R.C.
Previously reported in Yorkshire from Lindrick, 1977; Harthill, 1984; Pot Riding
Wood, 1986 (all in VC63). Nationally it is known from about a dozen post- 1960 sites,
mainly in Yorkshire, the Peak District of Derbyshire and the East Midlands; it appears
to be chiefly associated with calcareous woodland edges and scrub (Falk, 1991 ).

t L. (s.g. L.) stigma (Mg.) (62) Forge Valley Woods NNR, 16/7/97 R.C.

* L. (s.g. Dicranomyia) aqiiosa (Verr.) Nb (63) Langsett, -11191 (‘common by a
waterfall’) J.D.C. This appears to be a very scarce species in Yorkshire with only hve
widely scattered sites reported, the most recent being in 1954.

t L. (s.g. D.) danica (Kuntze) RDB3 (61) Hornsea Mere, 13/6/96 R.C. A south of
England species known from about a dozen sites; its stronghold seems to be in the
marshes of the Thames estuary (Falk, 1991).

t L (s.g. D.) goritiensis (Mik) RDB3 (61) Sewerby Cliffs, 8/7/97 R.C. Known from
about fifteen post- 1960 widely scattered British coastal sites (Falk, 1991).

* L. (s.g. D.) liicida (de. Meij.) Nb (62) Forge Valley Woods NNR, 16/7/97 R.C. A
species of carr and wet woodland (Falk, 1991), it has been recorded previously in
Yorkshire at Roche Abbey (63) 1979, and Sedbergh (65), 1938.

t L. (s.g. D.) sericata (Mg.) (61) Bishop Wilton (chalk quarry), 4/6/96 R.C. A southern
species associated with calcareous scrub in spring-time.

* L (s.g. D.) stigmatica (Mg.) Nb (62) Forge Valley Woods NNR, 7/9/96 R.C. The only
previous valid Yorkshire record is for Waldondale (65), 1956. There are undated (pre-
1930) reports from ‘llkley, Harrogate’ (both VC64).

* L. (s.g. D.) ventralis (Schum.) Nb (61) North Dufheld, 9/5/95 R.C.; (*62) Stren.sall
Common, 9/10/96 R.C. The only previous Yorkshire record is for Thoipe Marsh (63),
1979.

* Thaumastoptera calceata Mik Nb (63) Clough Wood, Gunthwaite, 6/7/97 J.D.C. An
apparently rare species in the county, the only other record being from Crag Wood
(64), 1927. A southern species reaching its northern limit in Yorkshire (Falk, 1991 ).

* Helius fiavus (Walker) (62) Seivedale Fen, Dalby Forest, 14/7/97 R.C.

* Fedicia (s.g. Amalopis) occulta (Mg.) (62) Forge Valley Woods NNR, 15/6/95 R.C.
There are few Yorkshire records for this species, the majority being pre-1960 and all
of them in the western half of the county.

* F. (s.g. Ludicia) cluripennis (Verr.) (62) Dalby Forest. 23/5/97 R.C.; Blow Gill,
Hawnby, 2/10/97 R.C.

* Dicranota (s.g. Dicranota s.s.) himaculata (Schum.) (61 ) Speeton Cliffs. 5/6/96 R.C.;
(*63) Clough Wood, Gunthwaite. 23/4/97 J.D.C.

121

Entomological Report: Diptera (Tipulidaej

t Paradelphomyia (s.g. Oxyrhiza) dale! (Edw.) (62) Forge Valley Woods NNR, 4/8/95
R.C.; Blow Gill, Hawnby, 2/10/97 R.C.; (*64) Birk Crag Wood, Harrogate, 13/8/96
R.C.

P . (s.g. O.) nielseni (Kuntze) Nb (63) Winscar Reservoir, 8/10/97 J.D.C. The only
previous Yorkshire record is Listerdale (63), in 1984.

* Limnophila (s.g. Idioptera) fasciata (L.) RDBl Strensall Common -11196 P. J.
Chandler; 18/6/97 and 17/9/97 R.C. The previous Yorkshire records are: Allerthorpe
(61), 1936; Austwick, 1920-1942; Giggleswick, 1938; Cocket Moss, 1932 (all VC64).
Since 1960 there have only been two reported occurrences nationally, both of them in
Cheshire (Falk, 1991 ). The Strensall localities are pond margins with moss, and at one
of the sites the species was found in quantity on floating bog-moss (Sphagnum sp.).

* L (s.g. Phylidorea) squalens (Zett.) (63) Langsett, -11191 J.D.C.

* Pilaria (s.g. Neolitnnomyia) batava (Edw.) (61) Barmby Moor, 23/6/97 R.C. This
appears to be a rare Yorkshire species, the only previous records being Farnley (63),
1921, and Crag Wood (64), 1920.

t P. (s.g. Pilaria s.s.) fuscipennis (Mg.) Nb (62) Forge Valley Woods NNR, 5/8/95 R.C.;
Ashberry, 28/8/96 R.C.

* Gonomyia (s.g. Protogonomyia) alboscutellata (v. Roser) RDBl (62) Forge Valley
Woods NNR, 18/7/95, 12/8/97 R.C.; Ashberry, 10/8/97 J.D.C. The only previous
Yorkshire record for this species is from Whitewell in the extreme west of VC64 in
1958. There are only two other post- 1960 British sites known for this species (in
Herefordshire and Worcestershire) (Falk, 1991 ). At the former site it is associated with
mossy calcareous flushes in a woodland glade. The two recent Yorkshire sites have
such habitats.

t G. (s.g. Idiocera) bradleyi Edw. RDB2 (62) Cold Keld Slack, Cropton, -11196 (per A.
E. Stubbs); (*61) Sewerby Cliffs, Bridlington, 8/7/97 R. C. Falk (1991) refers to three
sites on the Yorkshire coast in the Scarborough and Bridlington districts in 1988, but
with no further details. The only other recorded locality this century (for a species until
recently thought likely to be extinct in Britain), is a coastal cliff slippage near
Cardigan (1987) (Falk, 1991).

* Lipsothrix errans (Walker) Nb (62) Forge Valley Woods NNR, 19/5/95 R.C. There is
a 1962 record of this species from Whitewell (64); other records are from Austwick,
Crag Wood and Ingleton (64), and Cautley (65), all in the 1920s.

* Erioptera (s.g. Ilisia) vicina (Tonnoir) (64) Birk Cragg Wood, Harrogate, 13/8/96 R.C.
The only previous Yorkshire record is for Mulgrave Woods (62), in 1937.

t Arctoconopa melampodia (Lw.) RDB2 (61) Norton Ings, Malton, 9/5-16/6/97 R.C.
There appears to be an established population on the banks of the river Derwent at this
site. There are only four other known post- 1960 localities in Britain, sandy riverbanks
with shading trees being noted as a habitat (Falk, 1991).

* Scleroprocta sororcula (Zett.) Nb (63) Little Don Valley, 31/5/97 J.D.C. There are
only two previous county records: Bilsdale (62), 1921 and Colsterdale (65), 1981.

* Molophilus ater (Mg.) (63) Wessenden Head, Meltham, 27/5/97 R.C., abundant
amongst Eriophorum sp. There are several old records for this species at classic
‘moss’ sites in VC64 such as Austwick Moss; there is also a 1921 record from
‘Ryedale’ (62).

* M. bihamatusde Meij. Nb (64) Askham Bog, 12/5/95 R.C. The only other reported
Yorkshire sites are Shirley Pool (1975) and Rushy Moor (1982) (both VC63).

t M. niger Goetg. Nb (63) Clough Wood, Gunthwaite, 30/4/97 J.D.C.; (*62) Lady
Spring Wood, Malton, 7/5/97 R.C. (*61) Norton Ings 9/5/97 R.C. (both localities by
the banks of the river Derwent). There are only four other known post- 1960 sites

1 22 Y.N. U. Bryological Section: Annual Report 1 996- 1 997

nationally, the habitats being lushly vegetated streamsides in woods (Falk, 1991).

* M. ochrescens Edw. (61) Hassacarr Pond, Dunnington, 30/9/97 R.C. Previous county
records are: Marham and Bishopdale (undated, but probably pre-1940), and Baldersby,
1980 (all VC65); Mulgrave Woods (62), 1937. Recent additional VC62 records are
Forge Valley Woods NNR, 5/8/95 and Low Wood, Hawnby, 28/8/96 (both R.C.).

t M. pusillus Edw. (63) Clough Wood, Gunthwaite, 1/10/97 J.D.C.

* M. variispinus Stary Nb (62) Forge Valley Woods NNR, 15/6/95 R.C. The only
previous record for this species is from Rowton Beck in the extreme north-west of
VC65 in 1981. A recent (1977) addition to the British fauna, with only six further sites
recorded nationally. The species was formally described in 1971 (Falk, 1991 ).

Reference

Falk, S. (1991). A Review of the Scarce and Threatened Flies of Great Britain (Part I).
Research and Survey in Nature Conservation No. 39. Nature Conservancy Council,
Peterborough.

Y.N.U. BRYOLOGICAL SFXTION:

ANNUAL REPORT 1996-1997

T. L. BLOCKEEL

9, Ashfurlong Close, Dore, Sheffield SI7 3NN
and

J. M. BLACKBURN

6, By lands Grove, Fairfield, Stockton on Tees TS19 7BG

Sectional meetings during 1996-1997 have been held as follows:

Spring 1996 - Penyghent Mountain (VC64) 4th May
Autumn 1996 - Woodlands in Silkstone area (VC63) 12th October
Spring 1997 - Pilmoor, near Thirsk (VC62) 3rd May
Autumn 1997 - North Cliffe and Hotham (VC6I ) I 1th October

These are reported in the Bulletin of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union. The summer
meeting of the British Bryological Society was held in north-east Yorkshire (VC62) from
13th-20th August 1997 and significant records from that meeting have been included in
this report. A complete list of species was compiled and a full account has been prepared
elsewhere (Town.send, 1999).

RECORDS

The list below includes all new vice-county records and other records of note. Recorders'
initials: JMB = J. M. Blackburn; TLB = T. L. Blocked; P.IC = P. J. Cook; WRD = W. R.
Dolling; BBS = British Bryological Society. An asterisk indicates a new vice-county
record or an amendment to the Census Catalogue.

Calypogeia neesiana: (62)44/89. Fen Bog, Newtondale, BBS, Aug. 1997.

Calypogeia inlegristipula: (62) 44/69. On shaded sandstone, Blakey Gill, JMB, Sep. 1997.

NatimiHst 1 23 { 1 998 )

Y.N.U. Bryological Section: Annual Report 1996-1997 123

Cladopodiella francisci: (62) 44/79. On peaty soil. Sod Fold Slack near Wheeldale Bridge,
JMB, Sep. 1997.

Lophozia excisa: (64) 34/96. Humus on limestone rock ledge. New House Farm, Malham,
TLB, Feb. 1997.

Tritomaria exsectiformis: (62) 44/59. On sandstone wall by Fangdale Beck, Bilsdale,
JMB, Mar. 1997.

Scapania scandica: (62) 45/50. On peaty soil, Botton Head SSSI, Greenhow Moor, BBS,
Aug. 1997.

Saccogyna viticulosa: (62) 44/79. On birch roots. Scar End Wood, Wheeldale, JMB, Sep.
1997. (62) 44/58. On limestone rocks in Castle Gill near Helmsley, JMB, Dec. 1997.

Moerckia hibernica: (62) 44/89. On wet rocks by waterfall, Saltergate Gill, Newtondale,
BBS, Aug. 1997. This is the first sighting in the vice-county since 1898 at Coatham Dunes,
Teesmouth.

Blasia pusilla: (62) 45/70. In ditch by old quarry, Glaisdale Head, JMB, Oct. 1997.

Apometzgeria pubescens: (62) 44/58. Large patches on limestone boulders. Peak Scar,
Gowerdale, JMB, Mar. 1997. (62) 44/58. On limestone rocks. Ravens’ Gill, Wass, JMB,
Mar. 1997.

Marchantia polymorpha ssp montivagans: (62*) 44/89. On steep hillside in Saltergate
Gill, Newtondale, BBS, Aug. 1997.

Pleuridium subulatum: (61) 54/32. On bare clay, 10 m alt., Smess Trackway, Hollym
Carrs Reserve, PJC, Feb. 1997.

Distichium capillaceum: (62) 44/89. On tufa rocks by Havern Beck, Saltergate Gill,
Newtondale, BBS, Aug. 1997.

Distichium inclinatum: (62) 45/52. In dune slack, Coatham, Redcar, JMB, Nov. 1997.

Dicranella subulata: (62) 45/60. On shale cliff. Grain Beck near Ingleby Moor, JMB, Feb.
1997. (62) 45/80. On shale cliff in old quarry, Eskdaleside, JMB, Nov. 1997.

Dicranum bonjeanii: (61). 44/85. In dense tufts on north-facing slope of calcareous
grassland, Kea.sey Dale, Warter, PJC, July 1996.

Campylopus fragilis: (64) 34/96. Humus on limestone rock ledge. New House Earm,
Malham, TLB, Feb. 1997.

Fissidens limbatus: (61*) 54/23. South-facing ditch bank, Elstronwick, WRD, Jan. 1997.

Fissidens crassipes: (62) 44/68. On limestone rocks in River Rye, Duncombe Park,
Helmsley, BBS, Aug. 1997.

Fissidens rufulus: (62) 44/68. On limestone rocks in River Rye, Duncombe Park.
Helmsley, BBS Aug. 1997. (62) 44/65. On wooden supports, River Foss, York, JMB, Sep.
1997.

124

Y.N.U. Bryo logical Section: Annual Report 1996-1997

Octodiceras fontanum: (64) 44/36. On wooden edging of canalised section of river, under
road bridge, Boroughbridge, TLB, May 1997.

Tortula freibergii: (62). This nationally rare moss was first seen in the vice-county at
Hayburn Wyke in 1992. Recently JMB has recorded its occurrence in seven further sites in
the east of the vice-county, always on the vertical faces of sandstone rocks, usually in
rivers and streams.

Gymnostomum recurvirostrum: (62) 44/89. On wet rocks by waterfall, Saltergate Gill,
Newtondale, BBS, Aug. 1997. This is believed to be only the second record this century in
the vice-county.

Hennediella stanfordensis: (63) 44/41. On soil on path in woodland on Magnesian
Limestone, near Wentbridge church, TLB, Dec. 1997.

Barbiila nicholsonii: (64) 44/36. On concrete wall of weir, by R. Ure, Boroughbridge,
TLB, May 1997.

Weissia microstoma: (61) 44/85. Bare calcareous soil, Keasey Dale, Warter, PJC, July

1996.

Tortella flavovirens var flavovirens: (61) 54/18. On soil on steep coastal slope, Filey Brig,
TLB, Sep. 1996.

Campylostelium saxicola: (62) 44/58. On rocks in Flassen Gill near Cold Kirby. JMB,
Mar. 1997.

Tetraplodoii mnioides: (62) 44/59. On peal, Helmsiey Moor, JMB, May 1996.

Mnium thomsonii: (64) 34/96. In crevice of limestone rock. New House Farm. Malham.
TLB, Feb. 1997.

Orthotrichum sprucei: (64) 44/36. On tree bole by R. Ure, below the weir, Boroughbridge.
TLB, May 1997.

Cryphaea heteromalla: (62) 45/40. On bridge stonework north of Carlton-in-Cleveland,
JMB, Nov. 1996. Believed to be the first sighting in the vice-county this century.

Leucodon sciuroides: (62) 44/68. On limestone wall in Duncombe Park, Helmsiey, BBS.
Aug. 1997. First record in the vice-county for 70 years.

Heterocladiiim heteropterum var flaccidum: (62*) 44/57. On limestone rocks near stream,
Wass Bank, JMB, Mar. 1997.

Thuidium philibertii: (62) 44/78. In short turf, disused limestone quarry near Hutton-le-
Hole, JMB, Oct. 1996.

Campylium calcareum: (62) 44/58. On limestone rocks in Great Cockerdale Wood.
Oldstead, JMB. Mar. 1997.

Calliergon giganteiim: (62) 44/89. In fen near railway line. Saltergate Gill. Newtondale.
BBS. Aug. 1997.

Eurhynchium pumilum: (61) 54/13. Shady stream bank. Burton Constable. WRI^, Jan.

1997. ’

Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union Excursions in 1997 125

Rhyne hostegiella tenella: (61) 54/32. On decaying bricks, Patrington railway station, PJC,
Jan. 1997.

Reference

Townsend, C. C. (1999 in press). Summer Field Meeting, Yorkshire, 1997. Bull. Br. Bryol.
Soc.

YORKSHIRE NATURALISTS’ UNION EXCURSIONS IN 1997

Compiled by

R. COMLEY, J. PAYNE and K. G. PAYNE

Grass Woods, Grassington (VC64) 17th May (Carol A. Johnson)

Initially we met in the car park, where we were greeted by The Reverend Charles Trevor,
Vice-President of the host society, the Upper Wharfedale Field Society, and Mrs Bronte
Bedford-Payne, the Secretary. We then moved to Grass Woods in dull, damp conditions
that continued through lunchtime. Later, however, the sun came out and we were able to
enjoy the beauty of spring in Grass Woods, including a fine flowering of Convallaria
majalis. The meeting for the presentation of reports was held in the Town Hall in
Grassington where we were provided with tea and home-made cakes and biscuits. The
meeting was chaired by last year’s President, Mr Albert Henderson. Thanks were
expressed to Mrs Carol Johnson, who had made the arrangements, to the host society and
to the Y.W.T.

Flowering Plants (J. R. Comley)

The question arose immediately of the identity of the birches around the car park below
Grass Wood. It rapidly became evident, walking into the wood that, though there were
some clear Betula pendula present and some probable B. pubescens, the majority showed
the variability to be expected from hybrids, with some aliens almost certainly planted,
along with rather too many Fagus for this area.

The ground flora was typical of a light and airy, well drained, limestone wood in spring,
with lots of Mercurialis perennis, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Viola riviniana and Arum
maculatum, together with a good showing of Primula vulgaris, both Fragaria sterilis and
F. vesca, Hypericum hirsutum, Alchemilla glabra and, perhaps more strangely, Teucrium
scorodonia, showing signs of the leaching that must have taken place.

Further up the slope there were Ulmus showing evidence of being affected by Dutch elm
disease, a feir showing of Convallaria majalis, Viola hirta, Coiylus and an increasing
quantity of Fraxinus which is perhaps the more typical tree for this wood. Orchis mascula.
Conopodium majus, Geum rivale and Dryopteris filix-mas were growing with a few Acer.
Approaching the summit of the wood, the group came across Malva moschata, which
seems to be found somewhat more frequently than some years ago (apparently it has been
on this site for about 5 years). Here, a rather different flora was found, including lots of
Viburnum opulus, Sorbus aucuparia, Succisa pratensis, a few Primula veris, Ligustrum
vulgare, Helleborus foetidus. Primus padus, Rhamnus catharticus and Alchemilla
xanthochlora. We were shown a beautiful large colony of Polygonatum odoratum, with
just a little scattered Aquilegia vulgaris. At a limestone promontory was a patch of
Hippocrepis coinosa of about one metre square that would not exist at all if it were not for
the wire netting to keep the local rabbits at bay. In that vicinity was a nice natural ‘rock
garden’ with Fragaria vesca, Galium verum, AJuga reptans and Helianthemum
nummularium.

NaturalBt 123 (1998)

126 Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union Excursions in 1997

By Gregory’s Fort, where we dined, was a small group of Iris foetidissima and Valeriana
officinalis.

After lunch, the group passed beyond the boundary wall to the short turf on limestone
which naturally produced a totally different flora. There was Primula farinosa which (we
were informed) had not been there long, Carex caryophyllea, Sanguisorba minor. Primula
veris in good quantity, Sesleria caerulea, Aspleniiun nita-rnuraria, Asplenium trichomanes,
Saxifraga tridactylites. Primula veris x vulgaris and Viola lutea.

Lichens (A. Henderson)

Although there are numerous records for the 10 km square |NGR 34/96] in which Grass
Wood lies, few, if any, of them are particularised to Grass Wood itself. The morning and
most of the afternoon were taken up in surveying the lichens of Lower Grass Wood,
managed by the Woodland Trust. Parts of the woodland here are much more open in aspect
than in Grass Wood proper, and the lichen flora achieves more developed cover; orange-tan
crusts of Chaenotheca ferruginea, its dark, dusty, globose-headed fruits on their narrow
pinlike stalks, and well formed grey thalli of Pertusaria amara, stippled with snow-white
sorediate patches, catch even the casual eye. Arthonia spadicea, Dimerella diluta, Lecania
cyrtella, and three Writing Lichens, Graphis scripta, Opegrapha atra and O. herbarum,
with Porina chlorotica, Schismatornma decolorans and Anisomeridium nyssaegenum, were
among the less easily observed species present. On a large holly a profuse Xanthorion
community enclosed several thalli of Bacidia arceutina. Maybe the rarest find was a cluster
of the tiny fruits of Bacidia saxenii, growing on the top of a wooden post in an enclosure
fence. A brisk walk into Grass Wood towards the end of the afternoon quickly revealed a
poorer corticolous flora, but Psora lurida and Petractis clausa on shady limestone outcrops
gave a clear indication of the need for later visits.

Plant Galls (J. and K. G. Payne)

The galls of the mites Eriophyes similis and E. geniothorax tipicus were, as usual, plentiful
on the edges of blackthorn and hawthorn leaves respectively. Restricted to the leaves of
bird cherry, though, were the pustules caused by E. padi. Down-rolled leaf edges of the last
host were caused by the aphid Rhopalosiphon padi. Fungus-induced galls were represented
on violets by those of the ‘smut’ Urocystus violae and the rust Puccinia violae. The ‘smut’
causes elongated swelling on stems and leaves which break open to expose the black spore
mass. As is usual with gall-causing rusts it is the aecial stage of the violet rust which
permeates the host and causes gross swelling and distortion.

Lepidoptera (Joyce Payne)

In the sunshine in the afternoon it was gratifying to see the rare geometric moth. Speckled
Yellow, flying in the recently cleared woodland area of Upper Grass Wood. Several
members had observed it in other areas of the reserve. It flies early in the season and feeds
as a larva on wood sage. It is a Grass Wood speciality and found in very few other
localities in Yorkshire.

The only butterfly seen was Green-veined White and the only other ‘macro’ moth, the
Rivulet.

Birixs (M. J. a. Thompson)

The morning was wet and overcast, with few birds to be .seen within the Y.W.T. Reserve,
other than a Great Spotted Woodpecker and overflying Curlew. However, those examining
the nearby stretch of the River Wharfe for aquatic life, reported three pairs of breeding
Common Sandpiper, a Goosander, Pied Wagtails and a few Sandmartins. Apparently, there
has been a decline in the numbers of Sandmarlin in the area. By early afternoon the
weather improved and a number of members moved through to Bastow Wood. Within the
open limestone woodland, more bird species were heard and seen. Two male Redstart were
holding territories adjacent to the permissive path, along with a number of Chaffinch, a

Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union Excursions in 1997

127

Willow Warbler, a Robin and a Carrion Crow. On the edge of Bastow Wood a Meadow
Pipit’s nest was accidentally found, containing five eggs, and was left undisturbed. Cuckoo,
which presumably parasitise the Meadow Pipit’s nest were heard on two occasions. A
recently arrived Wheatear was flitting around the perimeter wall of the wood, with a pair
on Lea Green next to the wood. The yaffle of the Green Woodpecker could be heard in the
distance.

The walk back to Grassington, via the grasslands above Bastow Wood, for the members’
tea and meeting, produced further bird species, namely. Blue Tit, Pheasant, Mallard,
Skylark, Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Blackbird, Mistle Thrush, Starling, Greenfinch,
Jackdaw and Swift. In all thirty species of bird were recorded.

Mammals (M. J. A. Thompson)

Evidence was found of Mole, Rabbit and Grey Squirrel.

Forcett Park (VC65) 8th June (Deborah Millward)

About 30 members attended at this outstandingly interesting venue, an ancient deer park
with a lake and with some exceedingly old and large trees, perhaps planted in Elizabethan
times. The meeting for the receipt of reports was chaired by Mr A. Henderson. Votes of
thanks to the Heathcote family, owners of the estate and to Mr Manvers, owner of the
limestone quarry and to Mrs Deborah Millward for arranging the meeting, were proposed.

The Estate (A. Henderson)

Natural historians and historians of landscape and architecture alike can all find pleasure in
Forcett Park and its neighbourhood. The hou.se, originally Jacobean, has an impressive
adjacent stable-block with arched coach-houses (where the tea meeting was held in shelter
from a perfectly timed rainstorm that came down like a drop-scene at 4.30 p.m.). In the
grounds by the 17-acre lake lies an overgrown grotto leading by a long tunnel to a vaulted
icehouse, and there are many ancient parkland trees, some densely wooded areas and a fine
old quarry. Some of the party, lunching on the terrace before the large disused ornamental
fountain were lucky enough to enjoy the cordial, informative company of the lady of the
house out for a midday stroll. An old dovecote with arcade below, standing in midfield by
the entrance drive, seems so to have bewitched Nikolaus Pevsner that he describes the
hexagonal building as octagonal, a rare lapse in his revered accounts of British buildings.
In the immediately surrounding countryside the Brigantian revolt against the Romans has
left impressive Ist-century AD earthworks, which some members were unable to resist
visiting as rich icing on the day’s sumptuous cake.

Geology (John B. Saunders)

Forcett Hall and its grounds are situated on the north flank of the Middleton Tyas anticline.
This means that the rocks in their immediate vicinity are inclined to the north. Although the
dip is shallow, it is steep enough for the rocks to become younger as you go north down the
slope from the southern end of the estate through the park towards Forcett Hall.

All the rocks exposed in the area belong to the Namurian Stage of the Carboniferous
period; this stage is still known in England as the Millstone Grit. The oldest horizon, the
Great Limestone, marks the base of the Namurian Stage and is calculated to be
approximately 330 million years old.

The high ground at the south end of the walled area of the estate is underlain by the
Great Limestone. Down the slope to the north one passes up a section where the fields are
underlain by mudstones which also occur below the lake in the valley bottom. The reason
for the presence of standing water is partly because the mudstones are relatively
impervious and also because there is a thin covering of fluvioglacial deposits in the valley
bottom.

From there, upslope towards the Hall, the higher ground, including the terraces and the
ha-ha in front of the building, are sited on a thin bed of limestone named by the mappers as

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Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union Excursions in 1997

the Bottom Little Limestone which is, in fact, not more than a few feet thick. This
limestone must also influence the position of the caves associated with the Ice House.

The old quarries on the high ground south of the estate were visited by some members of
the party to observe and record the richness of their ground flora. The old quarry faces
show the Great Limestone to be a dense, dark-coloured limestone composed almost
entirely of pure calcium carbonate in the form of calcite crystals. It would be classified as a
diosparite, that is, a crystalline carbonate rock that contains many traces of fossils - in this
case mainly stems of crinoids. Crinoids, which still exist in today’s oceans, are marine,
stalked animals that are popularly known as ‘sea lilies’ because they look much more like
cup-shaped, stalked flowers than animals. They are extremely common on many of the
Carboniferous limestones so well exposed in the Dales National Park.

An interesting feature of the area is the trace of an old rail track that ended at the quarries
we visited. Its position is particularly well shown on the 1947 edition of Bartholomew’s
half inch topographic map, on which one can also see that this rail line had a western spur
that connected with what must have been a larger quarry below Sorrowful Hill. The
combined line skirted the western wall of the estate then continued northwards to join the
Barnard Castle to Darlington railway line just east of Gainford. The same map shows
another spur taking off southwards from the Barnard Castle to Darlington line and ending
in the very extensive quarries that existed at what is now the Barton overpass where the A1
road becomes a motorway.

Why were these quarries important enough to warrant the very considerable expense of
constructing railways that required cuttings, embankments and bridges? Both series of
quarries are in the same limestone horizon (Great Limestone) within the Carboniferous.
This is the nearest that such a limestone can be found to Darlington and, thus, to Teeside.
What was it used for? It does not look of sufficiently high quality for building stone.
However, it is very pure calcium carbonate, so my choice was that it was needed for
industrial use. Having laboriously worked this out 1 then discovered a reference in Jane
Hatcher’s “Richmondshire Architecture” to a single track railway passing close to the
estate “taking limestone from the extensive quarries to Middlesbrough ironworks”!

Flowering Plants (D. R. Grant)

The area visited lies on the Yorkshire series of rocks of the Carboniferous period, which
consists of limestone, sandstone and shales. The disused limestone quarry had a number of
open areas which were carpeted with Primula veris and Lotus corniculatus. In very dry
rocky areas there were Sherardia arvensis, Aphanes arvensis and Geranium columhiuum.
At the edge of the trees were a few plants of Agrimonia eupaioria and Cliuopodium
vidgare. A damp area had a few Dactylorhiza purpurella. There were many colonies of
Ruhus caesius and a large stand of Ruhus pruinosus. Several garden plants had become
established in one area, these were Ornithogalum angustifolium, Ruhus armeniacus and
Vinca major. The old railway line held several colonies of Primula vulgaris still in llower.
The roadsides between the quarry and the estate yielded Primus padiis, Ruhus dasyphyllus,
R. echinatoides and Cardans crispus.

The estate is walled and contains many fine old trees representing several genera. There
is much grassland and some small woods and a large lake. The inlet end of the lake had
many of the usual marginal aquatic plants. There were several sedges, Carex rostrata. C.
disticha and C. paniculata, which had both large old tussocks and younger plants. The
rarest plant here was Ranunculus lingua, unfortunately not in llower. Many plants of
Dactylorhiza fuchsii and D. praetermissa were also reported. Although there were many
birds on the lake, after some searching, some colonics of Potamogeton herchtoldii were
located at the SE end.

BryoI’HYTK.s (John Blackburn)

The early part of the day was spent in the grounds of the hall. J'he grassy ground contained
much Prachythecium rutahulum, Eurhynchium swartzii, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus.

Yorkshire Naturalists' Union Excursions in 1997

129

Plagiomnium rostratum and P. undulatum, with Dicranella heteromalla, Eurhynchium
praelongum, Fissidens bryoides, F. taxifolius and Mnium hornum on barer ground.
Lunularia cruciata was seen on damp backside soil. Several old elder trees were rewarding
with Orthotrichum affine, Zygodon conoideus, Metzgeria furcata and the less common M.
fruticulosa. Campylopus introflexus was growing on several birch trees. Plagiomnium
affine was common on lakeside soil.

The quarry had a mixture of acidic and calcicolous mosses. The sandy soil had abundant
Brachythecium albicans, with the more grassy areas producing Calliergon cuspidatum,
Eurhynchium striatum, Pseudoscleropodium purum and Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus. A
steep bank was particularly interesting with Cirriphyllum piliferum, Hylocomium splendens
and Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus all present. The limestone rocks had Ctenidium molliiscum,
Neckera complanata, Schistidium apocarpum and Tortella tortuosa. Altogether a total of
53 species was recorded.

Lichenology (M. R. D. Seaward & A. Henderson)

Forcett Hall and the surrounding area were interesting from a lichenological point of view,
but it proved necessary for us to work diligently in numerous habitats in order to achieve a
creditable total of 92 species. The Jacobean Hall itself, remodelled c. 1740, and adjoining
buildings supported a relatively low diversity of lichens, so that the structure of the derelict
fountain and the coping and vertical stonework of the ha-ha bounding the formal garden
attracted much of our attention. Other stonework in the park was less rewarding, and the
grotto described in the guide as ‘three arches of unmortared cyclopian masonry overhung
mysteriously with vegetation’ did not unfortunately include lichens in the latter category.
Mature trees in and around the estate supported 26 epiphytic species, but foliose lichens
were never found in plenty. A visit to the nearby St Cuthbert’s, a late 12th century church
extensively rebuilt in 1859, furnished us with only six additional saxicolous species.
Further travels took us to the Stanwick fortifications where a small area of exposed
stonework supported a few extra species. Stanwick church, nearby trees and a local quarry
provided habitats for further records. The highlight of the day was Thelomma ocellatum, a
new record for Yorkshire, found on a partially shaded horizontal fence rail by the lake in
Forcett Park.

Vegetation Types (John A. Newbould)

The allocation of the woodland areas to the National Vegetation Survey classification
proved interesting. In the region of Fox Covert Wood the woodland type best fitted W9
Fraxinus excelsior - Sorbus aucuparia - Mercurialis perennis wood, i.e. the typical sub-
community with Fraxinus excelsior and Brachypodium sylvaticum. The woodland in the
triangle to the south of Forcett Hall fitted no classification. The woodland was principally
Acer pseudoplatanus - Fraxinus excelsior with old trees represented by Castanea sativa,
Taxus baccata and the occasional Quercus. The ground flora was principally composed of
Urtica dioica, Geum rivale, Galium aparine, Silene dioica, Rubusiruticosus sp.; R idaeus
and Dryopteris dilatata were rare.

The lakeside had some tree cover which fitted NVC type W6 Alnus glutinosa - Urtica
dioica woodland but was the Salix fragilis sub-community. Present in the marsh at the
lakeside were small areas type S6 Carex riparia swamp, S7 Carex acutiformis swamp and
S12 Typha latifolia swamp (typical sub-community). The large beds of Iris pseudacorus
did not fit into any of the standard vegetation types. Most of the grassland within the park
was grazed quite short and was type MG7 Folium perenne leys.

Lepidoptera (J. a. Newbould)

In Forcett Park woods to the south Silver Ground Carpet was extremely common flying
from the nettles. In spite of temperature around 19°C, few in.sects were flying due to a
westerly wind which brought a heavy downpour of rain in the afternoon. Walking across a
grazing meadow adjacent to the lake we saw a single Chimney Sweeper. Through the day

130

Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union Excursions in 1997

both Large White and Small White Butterflies were present through the area. Two Red
Admiral were seen in the Rhododendron park.

A single Speckled Yellow Moth Pseudopanthera macularia was observed on entering
the quarry area of Fox Covert Wood. Orange-tip Butterfly was quite frequent in the glades
of the quarry and the grassland moth Cramhiis lathoniellus was frequent in the glades. I
also found a Meadow Grasshopper in this area.

COLEOPTERA (R. J. Hunt and K. G. Payne)

The morning was spent in the woodland area next to the house known as the wild garden.
Sieving a pile of grass cuttings we found the Carabid Notiophilus biguttatus and a few
small staphylinids. Sweeping the vegetation at the path side we found various soldier
beetles and several specimens of the Cardinal Beetle Pyrochroa serraticornis. Searching
under logs and stones, two more species of Carabids were found, Nehria hrevicolUs and
Pterostichus madidus, both being common species.

After lunch, the lakeside was worked. Under stones on the lakeside we found the
Carabid Calathis fuscipes and the Click Beetle Athous haemorrhoidalis. Beating the
willows gave us the Chrysomelid Chalcoides fulvicornis. Despite several attempts at using
the water net in the lake, no aquatic beetles were found.

In all, 17 species of beetle were taken. The most interesting were probably the bright red
Cardinal Beetle, Pyrochroa serraticornis with larvae in rotten wood, and Batophila ruhi, a
rather locally distributed flea beetle, feeding on brambles.

Moleusca (A. A. Wardhaugh)

Five freshwater species were recorded from Forcett l^ark lake, with Lymnaea auricularia
being the most notable. This snail is sparsely distributed in northern parts of Yorkshire;
there are specimens of this snail in the collection of Bernard Lucas taken from this site on
3 1 St October, 1928.

Birds (K. S. G. Good)

Thirty-five species were noted during the meeting: Great Crested Grebe, Black-necked
Grebe, Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Shelduck, Widgeon, Teal, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Coot,
Lesser Black-headed Gull, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Turtle Dove, Swift, Sand Martin,
Swallow, House Martin, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Garden Warbler.
Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Blue Tit, Nuthatch, Tree-
creeper, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, and Chaffinch.

Chicory Farm, Allerthorpe ( VC6I ) 5th July (Peter J. Cook)

By kind invitation of Dr and Mrs Moll, eighteen members gathered to see this private
nature reserve, consisting of disused gravel quarries being left to speciatc naturally except
for .some tree and shrub planting. Situated so close to Allerthorpe Common most of us
expected to find a regenerating heath vegetation around a large expanse of fresh water.
Instead, we found mounds of chalk and flint ‘scree’ mixed with only a small proportion of
sand, forming ridges between numerous ponds of different size, shape and depth, and small
marshy areas. There has been some introduction of soil, mainly washings from a vegetable
packing factory. The site is yet very young, but has potential to develop into a reserve very
worthy of another visit in the future. It was felt that development of the aquatic fauna and
flora is being inhibited by water fowl and there is a developing problem of shading at the
water margin by willows. The most frequently heard comments were of compliment to the
owners for allowing this large area of land to develop for nature conservation interest.

The company as.sembled for refreshments and meeting in the local Inn. Mr Albert
Henderson took the Chair, nine affiliated societies answered the roll call and reports were
given. The Chairman closed the meeting after expressing thanks to Dr and Mrs Moll and to
the Divisional Secretary for making the arrangements.

Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union Excursions in 1997

131

Flowering Plants (Donald R. Grant)

The area visited was an old gravel pit which had been partially landscaped. The gravel was
a mixture of chalk, flint and other materials, which was surprising, as the area around
Allerthorpe is very sandy. The soil on the reserve is nutrient poor and there were many
stony, barren areas having dwarf plants. There were many introduced trees, shrubs and
aquatic plants throughout the reserve. The grassy parts had many colonies of Primula veris,
and several Geranium species, the most notable being G. pusillum. Barren areas had much
Pilosella offtcinarum and a little Catapodium rigidum. The damper grassy areas had
colonies of Dactylorhiza fuchsii together with a few scattered clumps of Calamagrostis
epigejos. Areas where soil had been imported had Dipsacus fulloniim, a Lactuca sp.,
Coniiim maculatum and Rubits armeniacus. Marginal aquatic plants were represented by
Scrophularia auriculatci, Carex pseudocyperus, Typha latifolia and T. angustifolia,
together with Eleocharis palustris. Aquatic plants were few and in small quantity due to
the large number of ducks and geese on the reserve, but Persicaria amphibia, Hippuris
vulgaris, Myriophyllum spicatum, Zannichellia palustris and Chara vulgaris were
collected. The reserve hedgerows had Rubus eboracensis, R. caesius and Rosa caesia.

Fungi (Michael Sykes, J. Payne and K. G. Payne)

A total of 13 fungal species were identified in the mixed plantation vegetation. It is
probable that Suillus grevillei and Russula aeruginea were introduced with Larix decidua
and Betula sp. respectively. Agaricales among grass were Agrocybe praecox, Calocybe
came, Coprinus lagopus, Hygrocybe conica, Lepiota felina and Paneolus foenisecii.
Members of the Uredinales were Melampsora capraearum, Melampsorella symphyti and
Puccinia punctiformis. Other species were ergot (Claviceps purpurea) and Podosphaera
clandestina. Parasitic fungi seemed scarce and it is tempting to wonder whether they had
not yet caught up with their hosts in recent colonisation of the site. Arrhenatherum was
abundant but a good deal of searching was needed before Ustilago segetum var. avenae,
the usually common smut, was found. Eleven other species of parasitic fungi were found.
Probably the most interesting was Taphrina sadebachi causing yellowish blisters, usually
less than 10 mm diameter, on alder leaves. The cause of the coloured bloom is the presence
on the leaf surface of a palisade of asci of the fungus. Also interesting were teasel plants
which bore the powdery mildew Sphaerotheca dipsacearum and the downy mildew
Peronospora dipsaci.

Lichenology (M. R. D. Seaward and A. Henderson)

Our visit to Chicory Farm Nature Reserve proved disappointing in terms of lichens, mainly
due to the immaturity of most of the habitats studied. Epiphytic species were limited to a
few crusts of common species, but a single Salix bore a few thalli of Xanthoria polycarpa.
Cementwork, stones and compacted soils supported 19 species. Most pleasing of our
saxicolous finds was the calciphile Petractis clausa on imported limestone and flint shards
by one of the channelled pools, the well developed cruciform apothecia proof of its
establishment as an immigrant species. Fortified by two helpings each of strawberries and
cream at a local fete in the Allerthorpe vicarage gardens, we found greater interest in the
churchyard surrounding the neat Victorian church nearby. Although, due to its relatively
recent age, it supported only a limited lichen flora, the older gritstone memorials and
churchyard wall were lichenologically much more rewarding: in all, 51 saxicolous species
were recorded.

Plant Galls (David Savage)

A total of 18 different plant galls were seen. There were no rare gall-inducing agents
recorded and many of the host plants were recently planted. This applied in particular to
the few oak trees on the site. As these oak trees mature, gall inducing wasps should move
in from populations which exist now around Beverley.

132

Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union Excursions in 1997

Lepidoptera (Joyce Payne)

Although the owners have listed 19 butterfly species on this site, only the Ringlet was
plentiful on the day of this meeting. The only other imago seen was a Meadow Brown.
There were, however, large numbers of Peacock larvae on nettles. Among moths, the
Arctiidae were represented by large numbers of Cinnabar larvae of varying sizes on
ragwort as well as by a perfect insect. A few larvae of Mullein Moth were seen on Hgwort.
Three species of the Geometridae were seen, notably Barred Straw, Shaded Broadbar and
Yellow Shell. It was good to see so many of the finely patterned Yellow Shell as it has
been in low numbers in recent years. The Mother of Pearl, a nettle-feeding large ‘micro’,
was seen and the Lesser Reedmace heads had fluffed out, but not disintegrated, showing
that Limneacia phragmitella had been at work. The large white plume moth, Alucita
pentadactyla, was reported.

Other Insects (J. D. Caldwell and A. Grayson)

Activity mainly centred around the older parts of the marsh at the far side of the reserve,
where, on the first day of warm, sunny weather for some time, many insects were in
evidence. Although no real rarities were found, it was felt that continued recording would
yield worthwhile results. Amongst the Diptera, the .soldierflies Oxycera morrisii and
Nemotelus nigrinus were found, two distinctive sciomyzids Trypetoptera pimctulata and
Coremacera marginata, and possibly of most interest, the rather scarce dolichopodid
Sciapus longulus which was quite common in one area of long grass. The common
horseflies Chrysops relictus and Haematopota pluvialis were both present in small
numbers. A single example of the curiously humped, dark ‘picture-winged’ fly Platystoma
seminationis was also taken. On the gravelly mounds could be swept the stilt-legged fly
Micropezd corrifioUita.

Amongst the Odonata, Lihellula quadrimaculata (reported also by Ray Hades) was well
established and conspicuous around the many ponds. Enagmella cyathigerum and
Odynerus spinipes, Symmorphus mutinensis, Crahro crihrarius and Oxybelus unigluinis,
the ruby-tail wasp Omalus auratus and the distinctive sawllies Tenthredo scrophulariae
and Croesus latipes were noted, the latter with its distinctively dilated hind tibia,
characteristic of the genus, concluding an interesting day in an unusual and developing
habitat.

BIRD.S (R. A. Hades)

The reserve was observed to hold very healthy populations of warblers including Common
Whitethroat and Sedge Warblers, both of which have suffered from intensive farming here
and drought on the African wintering grounds. Willow Warblers and Reed Warblers were
heard singing. Insects flying over the ponds attracted feeding Swallows, Swifts and House
Martins. A Heron flew overhead, a Yellowhammer sang from the boundary hedge and
Reed Buntings were feeding young. A male Linnet was probably on territory. At least one
pair of Greylag Geese had three healthy goslings.

Sc ar and Castlebkck Woods (VC62) 19th July (J. M. Blackburn)

A party of twenty assembled at Castlebeck Harm with the kind permission of the farmer on
a fine day which became quite hot as the day progressed. The prime aim of the meeting
was to survey Scar and Castlebeck Woods, owned by the Woodland Trust. Permission had
afso been granted by the owner of Jugger Howe Moor, Sir Hrederick Strickland-Conslable,
to inspect the moor to the north-west of the woods.

Most members spent the morning in the wooded area. A line sight as we moved down
the track to the valley bottom was a roe deer in an open space in the wood below. Hrogs
were seen during the day in several places, along with moles and rabbits, with evidence of
badgers. At least twenty-three species of birds were recorded and a Common Hawker.
After lunch a large group proceeded north-westwards up Jugger Howe Beck and eventually
reached an area of base-rich marsh which received much attention and prewed most

Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union Excursions in 1997

133

rewarding. An adder was seen as the party returned from the moor.

Fifteen members, representing 14 affiliated societies, met at the Flask Inn for drinks and
the meeting, which was chaired by Mr Les Magee. Apologies were received from Messrs
Henderson, Lindley and Savage. Reports were given and thanks were expressed by the
Chairman to the landowners, the farmer and the proprietor of the Flask Inn. Dr Margaret
Atherden proposed a vote of thanks to the Divisional Secretary.

Bryophytes (J. M. Blackburn)

A wet flush by the track down to the woods provided a good start to the day, with Bryum
pseudotriquetrum, Calliergon ciispidatum, Dicranella rufescens, Philonotis fontana,
Pohlia cornea and P. wahlenbergii. Soil and rocks on the backside banks in the woods had
the three common Calypogeia species, C. arguta, C. fissa and C. muelleriuna, along with
Cephalozia bicuspidata and Diplophyllum albicans.

Grassy hillsides in Scar Wood had good quantities of Hylocomium splendens, Dicranum
majus and Rhytidiadelphiis loreus, with pads of Leucobryum glaucum in several places.
Fruiting Fiinaria obtusa was growing by the side of some wooden steps on the track, whilst
Dicranum montanum was seen on a log in the birch carr, along with Tetraphis pellucida
and Thuidium tamariscinum. Dicranum montanum was recorded in the vice-county for the
first time only three years ago but has been seen in several places since then. Marsupella
emarginata was growing on rocks. Rocks in the beck had Dichodontium pellucidum,
Hyocomium armoricum, Racomitrium aciculare and Scapania undulata.

The afternoon was spent examining the beck and adjacent ground on Jugger Howe Moor
north-west of the woods. Five Sphagna were recorded, 5. auriculatum var. auriculatum, S.
capillifolium, S. palustre, S. recurvum var. mucronatum and the deep crimson S.
magellanicum, an infrequent species in the vice-county. A base-rich marsh had Campylium
stellatum var. stellatum, Drepanocladus revolvens and Aneura pinguis. Nardia compressa
was on rocks in the beck, whilst Funaria obtusa was seen again growing on the banks.
Barbilophozia attenuata was also seen on rocks in the area. A total of 86 species was
recorded on the day.

Flowering Plants (D. R. Grant)

The area lies on the Jurassic series of rocks which are represented here by sandstones.
These give rise to an acid soil; however, here and there this sandstone is calcareous and
gives rise to pockets of alkaline soil, which carry many calcicolous plants. Members spent
the morning in Castle Beck Woods which are comprised of sessile sak and birch. The
plants of interest here were Luzula pilosa, Melampyrum pratense, Carex laevigata and
Dryopteris carthusiana. Open areas had Hypericum pulchrum, Stellaria graminea, and
Stachys officinalis.

After lunch, members followed the beck upstream on to Jugger Howe Moor. There was
much Mvrica gale growing with Erica tetralix and Narthecium ossifragum. Drier areas had
Carex pilulifera, Trichophorum caespitosum, Vaccinium vitis-idaea and Carex binervis. A
large bog fed by springs from the hillside had a large selection of unusual plants. The very
wet areas had Carex rostrata, Eriophorum angustifolium, growing with Potamogeton
polygonifolius, Pedicularis palustris and Carex echinata. Drosera rotundifolia and
Pinguicula vulgaris were frequent. There were many colonies of Schoenus nigricans. The
bog is the home of Dachtylorhiza traunsteineri which grows with D. maculata subsp.
ericetorum. There are also some fine clumps of Eriophorum latifolium. Other taxa of note
were Anagallis tenella and Carex viridula subsp. brachyrrhyncha.

Plant Galls (D. P. Savage)

There were no rare galls recorded at the time of the visit, but the oak trees in the valley on
an autumn or spring visit would be likely to add to the list. Within Castlebeck Wood, the
following galls were recorded. On Alnus glutinosa there were four galls, three caused by
Gall Mites, Eriophyes brevitarsus, E. inangulis and E. laevis, and one gall caused by the

134

Yorkshire Naturcilists' Union Excursions in 1997

fungus Taphrina tosqiiinetii. On Betula sp. was the Gall mite Aceria calycophthira.
Crataegus monogyna had a Gall Mite. Vasates epiphyllus, a Gall Midge, Dasineura
fraxini, and a Psyllid, Psyllopsis fraxini. The Gall Wasp, Cynips disticha and the Gall Mite
Eriophyes sorbi, were found on Quercus and Sorhus aucuparia respectively.

Lepidoptera (J. Payne and J. A. Newbould)

Although butterflies were not in abundance, 12 species were recorded during the meeting.
Four of these were rarely seen species, notably Green Hairstreak. Dark Green Fritillary,
Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary and Large Fleath, finding all four being a thrill. No ‘white’
was seen, and only one Small Tortoiseshell was reported. The other species recorded were
Small Skipper and Large Skipper, Common Blue, a single Wall, Meadow Brown, Small
Heath and Ringlet. Six species of geometric moths were seen, the most noteworthy being
Dingy Shell and Latticed Heath. A female Drinker laid a few eggs before it was released.
Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet moths were feeding on the flowering scabious on the
road verge. The following were recorded from the roadside, principally by Mrs Joyce
Payne and Mr J. A. Newbould. Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas). Meadow Brown
(Maniola jurtina). Ringlet (Aphantopiis hyperantus). Small Skipper (Thymelicus
sylvestris). Large Skipper (Ochlodes venata). Small Tortoishell (Aglais urticae). Small
Pearl-bordered Fritillary (Boloria selene). Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus). Small
White (Pieris rapae). Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus). Wall (Lasiommata inegera)
and Dark Green Fritillary (Argynnis lathonia) near the roadside.

The following moths were recorded from the woodland area. The Grass Moth
(Agriphila straminella) was extremely common. Latticed Heath (Semiothisa clathrata) was
seen in the long grass near the road. A single Chimney Sweeper (Odezia atrata) was seen
on the path down to the woodland. Mrs Payne recorded Dingy Shell Moth (Euchoeca
nehidata) in the Alder woodland. This species is quite local, but has been recorded in the
Dalby Forest. Mrs Payne also collected a Large Twin-spot Carpet (Xanthorhoe
c/uadrifasiata). This moth has only been recorded in Yorkshire since 1978 and is gradually
moving its range further north along the east coast. Other more common moths included
the Dark Marbled Carpet (Chloroclysta citrata). Green Oak Tortrix (Tortrix viridana) and
Olethreutes lacunana. On Jugger Howe Moor we recorded six butterflies. Green Hairstreak
{Callophrys ruhi). Small Heath, Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus). Large Skipper, Common
Blue and Ringlet. Moths included a single Drinker (Philudoria potatoria). Silver Y
(Autographa gamma), Epihlema angustana and Glyphiplerix thrasonella on rushes.

Mollusca (D. Lindley and A. A. Wardhaugh)

Both authors of the report decided that the base-rich flush containing Schoenus nigricans
would be an ideal spot to search for mollusca. With this in mind, they spent the morning
searching in vain for it and instead settled for a flush in the area of grid SE947984. This
proved an excellent area producing records of 1 1 species. This flush obviously had some
lime content due to the presence of certain species of both plants and molluscs. It was
interesting to find Acicida fusca, a species often associated with old woodland and very
local in occurrence. Leiostyla anglica in particular was found in large numbers. This
species is generally north-western in its British distribution, but is regularly found in the
area of the North Yorkshire moors in suitable damp habitat. There were two Vertigo
species found within this flush and it may be interesting to note that their numbers were
roughly in the ratio 5: I, favouring Vertigo suhstriata over Vertigo pygmaea.

Following lunch, the authors split up, Tony Wardhaugh paying a brief visit to Scar
Wood. This apparently acidic site had a sparse molluscan fauna with just seven species
encountered. Of these, the most notable was the snail Zonitoides excavatus. several of
which were found beneath a small Birch log. This is a calcifuge with a predominantly
western distribution in Britain and is scarce in VC62. Interestingly, it was found during a
Yorkshire Conchological Society visit Just 6 km away at Ramsdale on 6th May 1989.

During the afternoon David Lindley followed other members at the meeting to the flush

Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union Excursions in 1997

135

containing Schoenus nigricans (SE947984), which had a similar fauna to the flush at
SE947984 described above. Two additions were: Columella edentula, a species often found
in association with base rich flushes (a single specimen); and the main find of the day
which is in fact the most notable molluscan discovery in Yorkshire this year, a single
specimen of Vertigo geyeri. This species is only recorded from one other site in Yorkshire;
the other sighting was during a YNU excursion to the Low Dalby area in 1994. Its range
within Britain is limited to a handful of sites on the North Pennines, Anglesey and
Scotland. In all localities it has an associated flora which includes Schoenus nigricans.

Brockadale (VC63) 9th August (Adrian O’Vastar)

The day of the meeting turned out to be a really hot one and persuaded some members to
remain, as far as possible, in the shade of Brockadale Plantation. We were much indebted
to Mr Adrian O’Vastar, Chairman of the Management Committee of this Y.W.T. Reserve,
for acting as our guide and informant.

Flowering Plants (D. R. Grant)

The area visited is a small valley, situated on the Magnesian Limestone series of rocks,
which runs east from Wentbridge to Kirk Smeaton. The River Went flows down the valley
and is the home to Potamogeton pectinatus which grows at Hunters Bridge. The woodland
has Elymus caninus growing with Brachypodium sylvaticum and Circaea lutetiana together
with some ground cover of Rubus vestitus. Leached areas had Teucrium scorodonia and
Rubus dasyphyllus. The woodland edge is the home of Dipsacus pilosus and it was
pleasing to see that it was increasing its range in the valley, members finding it in three
new stations. There are also large plants of Phyllitis scolopendrium, a fern which is scarce
on the Magnesian Limestone. The short turf on the valley sides is the home of several
unusual plants. Astragalus danicus. Campanula glomerata, Hypericum montanum, in bare
openings between the clumps of Bromus erecta and Brachypodium pinnatum. Ononis
repens and Inula conyza occur here too. The area near the crags had Malva moschata,
Catapodium rigidum, and Helianthemum nummularium. On the face of one crag was
Parietaria judcuca.

The roadside hedgerows had Rhamnus cathartica, Ballota nigra, Ligustrum vulgare,
together with Rubus warrenii, Bryonia dioica and Tamils communis. The area is also home
to some large colonies of Rubus ulmifolius, a thermophilous plant which uses the
Magnesian Limestone to grow north of its usual northern limit, being a southern and
eastern species in England. Other brambles in the valley were Rubus eboracensis and
Rubus newbouldii. On the edge of a cornfield, Legousia hybrida was discovered.

A number of other rare species, which flower earlier, were not seen due to the height of
the general herbage, but no doubt still grow in this valley.

Parasitic Fungi (J. Payne and K. G. Payne)

Only 4 species of rust and 4 of powdery mildew were noted. Two of the rusts, Puccinia
glechomatis on Glechoma hederacea and P. annularis on Teucrium scorodonia are of
rather local distribution in Yorkshire and perhaps most frequent in the dales of the North
Yorkshire Moors. As in 2 out of 3 other rust species known on Lamiaceae in Britain, no
aecia or urodinia are produced.

The powdery mildew Erysiphe galii tends to produce abundant mycelium and conidia
particularly on the hooked fruits of Galium aparine (Cleavers). One wonders to what
extent this serves to distribute the mildew. One area of Cleavers in Brockadale Plantation
looked as if it was dotted with bright, white fruits.

Lichens (A. Henderson)

The woodland of the reserve is dense and shows signs of subjection to airborne pollution
from several surrounding sources, the major roadway to the west, the neighbouring power
stations and surrounding agricultural activities in general. As part of an overall survey of

136

Book Review

lichens on Magnesian Limestone, Gilbert (Lichenologist |1984] 16: 31-43) recorded 44
taxa on that substrate in Brockadale. Most notable was a splendid colony of Lecanora
campestris subsp. dolomitica, a taxon known only from the Magnesian Limestone, man-
made substrates and dust-contaminated bark. Inspection of the colony showed it was
clearly continuing to flourish. Not unexpectedly, a mere 5 species were added to Gilbert’s
list for the Magnesian Limestone: Catapyrenium sqiiamulosum, Catillaria lenticularis,
Collenia crispum, an indeterminate Leptogium species and Verrucaria murcilis.

Lepidoptera (J. Payne)

On this very favourable recording day we noted 16 species of butterfly. Single Small and
Large Skippers were seen. Large White was common. Small White was fairly common but
Green-veined White was much scarcer. Brimstone was observed on three occasions and
both sexes were present. Small Copper, Common Blue and Holly Blue were noted. Only a
single Small Tortoiseshell was seen and Peacock was by far the most numerous and
noticeable in the flowery glades of the higher wood. Four Commas were noted, one of
which was a pale, bright female. In the deep woodland an abundance of Speckled Woods
were flying in and out of the dappled .scene. A few Walls were reported and Meadow
Browns were still about in a shabby condition. Some members were lucky enough to see
three Marbled Whites which were thought to have bred on the site. Moths were very scarce
and the only ‘macros’ noted were Chimney Sweeper, a very faded Yellow Shell and Silver
Y. Larvae of both butterflies and moths were notable only for their absence.

Mollusca (A. Norris)

The Brockadale Nature Reserve contains one of our rarest British snails, a species that is
thought to be on the verge of extinction in Britain. It was important, therefore, to try and
establish the continued existence of this species in its only remaining Yorkshire site.
Truncatellina cylindrica was first recorded from the area of Went Vale by Charles Ashford
in 1851, but it was Dr L. Lloyd Evans who, in 1975, refound this rare species in the quarry
in Brockadale. Since that date, less than 10 specimens have been found. It was a great
delight, therefore, to the conchologists present when a single freshly dead specimen was
found on the face of the quarry at grid reference SE(44)501 176, on the occasion of this
field meeting, thus establishing its continued exi.stence at this site.

Full details of all the Yorkshire records can be found in two papers: Norris, A. (1976).
Truncatellina cylindrica in Yorkshire. Naturalist 101: 25-27; and Norris, A. (1978).
Additional notes on Truncatellina in Yorkshire. Naturalist 103: 23.

BOOK REVIEW

The Identification of Flowering Plant Families by James Cullen. 4th edition. Pp. 215.
Cambridge University Press. 1997. £35.00 hardback, £12.95 paperback.

When a book runs into four editions over 30 years it obviously fills a need for accurate
scientific identification of plants. This new edition has been enlarged with improved keys
and fuller descriptions of plants. It covers some 258 plant families, both native and
introduced, which occur in the north temperate region. The first part of the book gives
comprehensive details of all parts of the plant, complemented by excellent drawings of
floral parts and of ovule placentation. Keys to the major groups of plants follow, together
with the final key to plant family level. The final part covers descriptions of the individual
plant families. An example of a familiar plant in that particular family is given, e.g.
Violaceae - species of Viola are grown as alpines or as bedding plants (Pansies). There is
also an excellent glossary of technical terms used in the book. Recommended for students
and mature botanists.

DRG

1

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/I ffnuiile ixlen

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A Fragile Eden

Portraits of the Endemic Flowering Plants of
the Granitic Seychelles

Rosemary Wise &

This is an extraordinary book, filled with
beautiful full-color illustrations of some of the
world’s most unusual plants.

“A most welcome addition to the botanical
literature because it brings to us a collection of
such rare and little-known botanical treasures.”
— Sir Ghillean Prance, Director, Royal Botanical
Gardens, Kew

79 color plates. 3 line drawings.

Cloth £49.50 ISBN 0-691-04817-7

Evolutionary Ecology
across Three Trophic Levels

Goldenrods, Gallmakers, and
Natural Enemies

Warren G. Abrahamson
and Arthur E. Weis

In a work that will interest
researchers in entomology and para-
sitology, Warren Abrahamson and
Arthur Weis present the results of more
than twenty-five years of studying
plant-insect interactions.

"An unparalleled, creative, and
diversified assault on a single set of
related questions which sets a new,
higher standard for comparable 'field'
studies in the future."

— David Tonkyn, Clemson University

Monographs in Population Biology
Simon A. Levin and Henry S. Horn. Editors

88 line illustrations

Paper £16.95 ISBN 0-691-01208-3
Cloth £30.00 ISBN 0-691-03733-7

Sex, Color, and Mate
Choice in Guppies
Anne E. Houde

Here Anne Houde summarizes
and synthesizes the scientific work
done to date, relates the empirical
findings on guppies to current
themes in sexual selection theory,
and suggests new directions for
future research.

"A significant contribution to

the field This is much more

than a monograph about one
species of fish." — John Reynolds,
University of East Anglia

Monographs in Behavior and Ecology
John Krebs and T. H. Clutton-Brock. Editors

6 halftones. 50 line illustrations. 6 tables.

Paper £14.95 ISBN 0-691-02789-7
Cloth £35.00 ISBN 0-691-02790-0

Princeton University Press

FROM BOOKSELLERS OR PHONE (1-243) 779777 U.K. • (800) 777-4726 U.S.
http://PUP.PRINCETON.EDU

Printed in Great Britain by Titus Wilson & Son, Kendal

ISSN 0028-0771

Latest publication of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union

THE FRESHWATER CRUSTACEA OF YORKSHIRE

a faunistic & ecological survey

GEOFFREY FRYER

The crustacean fauna of Yorkshire reflects the great physiographic diversity
of the region. Adopting an ecological approach, this book considers the
Yorkshire fauna in relation to climate, topography, geology, soils and water
chemistry, always keeping in mind that it is dealing with living organisms
whose habits, requirements and physiological limitations determine exactly
where they live.

Matters covered include the ecological background; faunal assemblages
and their regional attributes; an analysis of the factors that determine
distribution patterns, many of which are mapped; wide geographical aspects;
and con.servation. Large areas, such as the Pennines, Howgill Fells, North
Eastern uplands and the lowland plains are surveyed. So too are localised
regions including Whernside, the Malham area, lowland heaths, and the largest
lakes, as well as habitats such as upland tarns, seepages, cold springs, small
lowland ponds, inland saline waters. Notes are given on every species
recorded, including parasitic forms.

Price £16.00 (plus £2.00 per copy p.&p.) Special offer to members of
the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union £13.50 (plus £2.00 p.&p.)

Please make cheques payable to Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union.

Available from: Professor M. R. D. Seaward, Department of Environ-
mental Science, University of Bradford, Bradford BD7 IDP.

PUBLICATIONS FOR SALE

A Fungus Flora of Yorkshire. 1985. 296 pp. Hardback. £10.00 incl. p&p.

Butterflies and Moths of Yorkshire. 1 989. 380 pp. Paperback. £1 7.50 incl.
p&p. Unbound. £12.15 incl. p&p.

Mammals of Yorkshire. 1985. 256 pp. £7.50 incl. p&p.

Provisional Keys to British Plant Galls. 1986. 85pp. £5.50 incl. p&p.

First Yorkshire Lepidoptera Report \r\ 'ARGUS' Spring 1997. £2.50 incl.

p&p.

Moths and Butterflies of Spurn, 1 995. 1 24 pp. £6 incl. p&p.

Cheques should be made payable to Y.N.U.

From: Mrs J. Payne, 15 Broad Lane, CawoocI, Selby, North Yorkshire, Y08 OSQ

Telephone: 01 757 268242

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