WFV June 3rd 2025, Bishop Wood, nr Selby

The day began with persistent rain that fortunately had stopped by 09:00, The rest of the day was cloudy, sunny & breezy. We arrived at 11:10 after a toilet stop at Ferrybridge Services.

Only three incl Kevin, the driver, set off from Thornton Rd; four others joined at the Low moor pick up. We were repeating the visit of last year which was a total wash out, probably the least enjoyable visit of 2024? The mission was to find the rare & elusive Argent & Sable Moth at its only known Yorkshire site. As this is a fast & high flying birch feeder with a short flight period that is not an easy task. The hope is that one will be found at eye level nectaring on bramble.

No such luck.  It may be that it has ended its flight period as there were many flight opportunities in May because of the unusually good weather all month or it could have been too breezy?   I did see several when I visited on May 23rd (none close up however) so they are there !

There was plenty of botanical interest with plants such as Figwort, Southern/Common Spotted & Early Purple Orchids. Butterflies seen = Green-veined & Small Whites, Red Admiral, Large Skipper, Small Torts & lots of Speckled Woods.  One medium sized dragonfly was seen but most of the ditches were dried up so very little habitat for them this year.

Moths incl Brown Silver-line, Silver Ground Carpet, Yellow Banded Longhorn & a Red-tipped Clearwing seen nectaring on bramble.  The first time I have seen a clearwing without using a lure !

Our circular walk reached the western & eastern edges of the wood & included some stretches that were new to the group. At no time were we ever lost !  We left the site at 15:20 & made good progress back.   John Gavaghan