Adrian Bennett

HIGH BATTS 2013 Front cover photograph: Male Kestrel by Brian Darbyshire 2012

HIGH BATTS Annual Report 2013

Published by High Batts Nature Reserve 2014 1

This publication is copyright. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission of the Publisher.

The editorial team thanks the following for providing illustrations:

• Maps of Reserve and Recording Area on inside covers by Peter Hills

• Title page drawing by Robert Adams of a Reed Warbler recorded at High Batts in 2013

• Photographs by Brian Darbyshire or as attributed

Published by High Batts Nature Reserve Charity number 1151676

Compiled and edited by Alwin Knowles, Colin Slator, Patricia Rumbold and Peter Hills.

Printed by North Yorkshire Document Management Centre Northallerton

Contents Page

Foreword 4 Trustees, officers and recorders 6 Chairman’s Report 8 Pictures from 2013 11 Reserve Management Report 15 Reports for: Kingdom FUNGI and PLANTAE Fungi (Adrian Bennett) 17 Ferns and Flowering Plants (Robert Adams) 23 Mosses and Liverworts (no report) Kingdom ANIMALIA Butterflies (Will Rich) 24 Other Insects and Invertebrates (Jim Jobe) 30 Checklist of the beetles of HB and its 34 environs- Part 2 Moths (Jill Warwick) 39 Damselflies and Dragonflies (Stephen Worwood) 42 Lampreys, Fish, Amphibians and Reptiles (Barry 44 Slaymaker) Birds (Ann Macintosh) 45 Bird Ringing Report (Jill Warwick) 58 Mammals (Ray O’Donnell) 62 General Information about the Reserve 66 Maps of Reserve and Recording Area Inside covers

Foreword

We are delighted to be able to bring you the latest annual report from High Batts Nature Reserve, recording another year of significant achievement in the “on the ground” management of the Reserve and the administrative organisation which supports it.

High Batts has been managed as a nature reserve since 1973, and over the past 40 years, enormous numbers of hours have been expended by many individuals in order to protect and conserve this natural environment and its wildlife. During that time, the Reserve has seen many changes, and the published Annual Reports, and the species reports which they contain, are crucial in documenting those changes. It is by this monitoring process that we can see whether the conservation work that is being done is effective and that we can measure the impacts of external factors on the Reserve.

The more data of this nature that is available the more effective is the monitoring process and the more informed we are about what we need to do. We would like to urge all members who visit the Reserve to let us have feedback about what they see and experience; this might be in the form of a completed species list, a note of a significant sighting or event, or a photograph. Please do not think that you need to be an expert to contribute or that we are only interested in hearing about rarities. Anything you have seen which interests you is worth recording and passing on to us. What we need to know is what you have seen, and where and when it was. This report provides contact details for various officers or you can email to [email protected].

As always this report is a result of and testament to, the efforts of the many individuals who serve in various capacities or who offer us support and assistance. High Batts is operated by volunteers and we are extremely fortunate in having so many people who provide their

extensive range of skills and experience so generously. We are hugely appreciative of their hard work, commitment and goodwill. Without their contribution High Batts as we know it would not exist.

We particularly wish to thank our landlords, the Norton Conyers Estate and we are especially indebted to Sir James Graham for his generosity and support. In addition we would like to thank our neighbours, Bob Orange and Georgina Watkins of Hanson Aggregates, John Stockil of North Parks Farm, Brian and Sue Morland of Bellflask and Robert Staveley of Lightwater.

Finally, we acknowledge the generosity of Hanson HEIDELBERG Cement Group in sponsoring the printing of this report.

Colin Slator Alwin Knowles Peter Hills Patricia Rumbold - Annual Report Editorial Team

Trustees, Officers and Recorders (as at December 2013)

Trustees Robert Adams David Beeken Chairman Kath Beeken Treasurer Brian Darbyshire Anne Durkan Chris Jeffery Alwin Knowles Secretary Colin Slator Roy Waite Stephen Worwood

Ex-officio Officers: Pat Rumbold (Minutes Secretary/Fund-raising Secretary/ Lectures Organiser), Robert Adams (Warden and Newsletter Editor), Brian Darbyshire (Assistant Warden), Peter Hills (Membership Secretary), Launa Woodruff (Record Collection & Distribution). Honorary Life Members: Richy Graham, Colin Slator. Recorders: Robert Adams (Ferns and Flowering Plants), Ann Macintosh (Birds), Will Rich (Butterflies), Jim Jobe (Insects other than Lepidoptera and Odonata; Plant Galls), Ray O'Donnell (Mammals), Barry Slaymaker (Fish, Amphibians and Reptiles), Jill Warwick (Moths), Stephen Worwood (Odonata), Adrian Bennett (Fungi).

Chairman’s Report for 2013 by David Beeken

For the third year in a row, my report starts with the application for the reserve to be approved as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). The 2013 AGM was brought forward to 11th April in order to expedite the final stages of the process, and after a gratifying response from members who attended in numbers, the meeting agreed the necessary changes to the Reserve’s stated objects. Thus the Charities Commission was able to advise us on 19th April that our application had been successful. Recognition as a CIO marks a truly significant event in the history of High Batts, and our thanks go again to our Secretary Alwin Knowles to whose skill and diligence we owe the achievement. The Trustees required to accord with the new constitution were confirmed as Robert Adams, David Beeken, Kathryn Beeken, Brian Darbyshire, Ann Durkan, Christopher Jeffery, Alwin Knowles, Patricia Rumbold, Colin Slator, Roy Waite and Stephen Worwood.

Prior to the CIO matters, the AGM dealt with the formal matters of approval of the 2012 AGM, the Chairman’s Report and Treasurer’s Report. Proceedings closed with a sincere vote of thanks to Dr Arthur Kinnear, who had stood down as a Reserve Trustee, and who had devoted many years of invaluable service to High Batts. He had acted as Secretary, Editor of Annual Reports, newsletter editor and an unfailing source of wise counsel. Also recalled was member Bill Smith who had recently passed away, and who had collected and distributed species records from the hide until he was in his 90s. Those present then enjoyed refreshments and some images taken by Pat and Ray Rumbold on a visit to Reykjavik.

Harrogate Borough Council eventually identified funding for a part-time Ranger post for the sites including High Batts in the Ripon area; the necessary personnel processes of filling the vacancy took several months. Eventually Sam Walker was appointed, and he commenced his duties in mid-October by immediately bringing the much missed mowing equipment necessary to deal with managing the sides of the main ride and associated areas.

A further year passed with no sign of the resolution of the internal matters of the Norton Conyers Estate which have caused the delay in drawing up a new lease for the Reserve. I can say, though, that at the end of the calendar year there were some promising “straws in wind”, promoting the hope that the drawing up of a new lease will be achieved in 2014. The Management Committee met twice prior to the change in legal status, and then the new CIO Trustees met on a further three occasions in 2013 in addition to the Annual General Meeting mentioned above.

After the complete washout in 2012, 7th July this year was as good a summer day as could be wished for, and around 80 visitors abandoned the tennis on TV in favour of High Batts. As usual, there was great interest in the pond-dipping, results of small mammal trapping and the glass-sided beehive. The Ripon Moth -ers had set up light traps in the Reserve late on the evening of 6th July, and a dedicated young volunteer, Jonny Fisk, rose before crack of dawn to switch off the lights and begin the sorting and identification process. The most interesting moth species were placed on display at “The Hotel”, where the East Dales Ringing Group were present, allowing visitors to see the birds in the hand as their vital statistics were determined and recorded prior to release. Bright sunlight is not an ideal weather condition for mist-netting, but what the birds lacked in number was made up by the variety, and birds of 13 species were processed. (4 Blackcaps, 6 Whitethroats - 5 of which were juveniles, 3 Willow Warblers, 2 Chiffchaffs, a Blackbird, a Blue Tit, 3 Great Tits, a Marsh Tit, a Dunnock, a Wren, a juvenile Treecreeper, 2 Bullfinches and a Great-Spotted Woodpecker). At a good time for flowers, dragonflies, damselflies and butterflies, Open Day 2013 was a real pleasure. We trust that the RSPB Harrogate Group and the Nidderdale Birdwatchers who had representatives present gained new recruits.

In mentioning the application by Hanson to extract gravel from Pennycroft, my 2012 report anticipated that the results of additional work being undertaken by Hanson arising from the comments made by Reserve representatives at a meeting with the company would be discussed with us in 2013. In the event, apart from a stated intention to hold further discussions with us in the autumn which did not take place, absolutely nothing happened as far as High Batts was concerned.

The silence on the Pennycroft matter stands in contrast to the generosity of the company and its manager, Bob Orange, regarding the supply of materials and workshop space when the stream footbridge was replaced. No praise is high enough for Bob and our Thursday volunteers; the design by Peter Huff is brilliant. It is a truly magnificent achievement, marked on Open Day at a formal opening by Bob & Peter, who each received a bottle of fizz as a token of our gratitude. That gratitude extends, of course, to those volunteers who, week in and week out, maintain the Reserve to the standards required by the HLSS agreement as well as dealing with all the other tasks it is all too easy to take for granted.

On completion of the 2012 Report Ian Stalker stood down as editor, and our thanks to him should be formally recorded, as his diligence and innovations gradually improved the presentation of the Report during his time in office. Ann Macintosh, the Reserve’s Bird Recorder, advised us in November that she was moving away from the area, although she has been able to complete the 2013 Bird Report. Ann has been a very capable recorder, again bringing skills to the task which will offer assistance to a successor. Sadly, at the end of 2013, no volunteer for the Editor vacancy has responded to the appeal to our 9

members, so the long tradition of annual reports is now in serious jeopardy. No meeting of Recorders was held in 2013. (We now have a new editorial team in place. Eds.)

Notes on the individual lectures have appeared in newsletters, so I content myself here with a simple list of these popular events:

4th February: Simon Warwick – “Nosterfield – Beyond the Boundaries” 4th March: Dr. John Edwards – “Monitoring & Conservation of Birds on Fylingdale Moor” 14th October: Whitfield Benson – “Wildlife of the Kruger National Park” 11th November: Ian Newton – “Lesvos – It Ain’t All Birds” 9th December: Members’ presentations from Tim Scott, Brian Darbyshire, Pat & Ray Rumbold and David & Kath Beeken: “What We Did On Our Hols”

As well as our thanks, remark should be made of the perseverance of Pat Rumbold in the difficult task of organising speakers, in 2013 made more difficult by the inefficiencies at Community House. This culminated in the move to the current venue, The Golden Lion.

Pat and Ray Rumbold continued for the umpteenth year to obtain, weigh & re- bag if necessary and supply bird food on behalf of the Reserve, and no report of mine is complete without recognition of this valuable service and the funds their work raise; our sincere thanks go to them once again.

In closing my report I can look back on a successful year with notable achievements by all those who volunteer their services on behalf of High Batts. My thanks for their assistance and support go to them unreservedly, and to members who put their trust in us all. We expect that it will be service as usual in 2014.

Chair of the Trustees David Beeken

Pictures from the year 2013

Roe Deer at the Hide Pond Capreolus capreolus

Bank Vole Clethrionomys glareolus

Kingfisher Alcedo atthis

Goosander Mergus merganser

Yellow Star of Bethlehem Gagea lutea

Treecreeper Certhia familiaris

Images on this and the previous two pages by Brian Darbyshire, 2013 13

The Volunteer Team working on the construction of the new river hide

Photograph by Bri- an Darbyshire

Competition

Last year we launched a competition seeking images from High Batts relating to “Plant Life of all kinds in all seasons”. The winner of the competition was member Jane Wyles who submitted a selection of photographs, one of which is featured here.

The competition topic for 2014 is “Insect life of all kinds in all seasons”. Entries, which can be photographs, drawing or paintings, should be submitted to the Secretary before 8th February 2015, and should include details of the subject, the location and time it was recorded.

Common Spotted Orchid By Jane Wyles

Reserve Management Report by Robert Adams

The year summarised

Some very cold weather in January, following Thursday. Replenishment including Thursday 17th when the of the bird feeders continued weekly. temperature never got above -5C, A further 112 lb of wheat was failed to prevent the intrepid Thursday obtained from North Parks Farm as Volunteer Team from carrying out stocks were getting low. Regular grass pond clearance work. This carried on mowing was undertaken from early for most of the month. Other matters May onwards. Other routine tasks for requiring attention were fencing the Thursday Volunteers included repairs and filling in potholes on the litter picking and herbage control access track, plus bird feeding around the bird feeders and along the including the feeders on Ripon Parks. path sides. On June 6th all work on Into February and the coppicing of the the new footbridge was completed area to the west of the hide was and the temporary access to the carried out, entirely by hand, using Reserve via the ford closed. bow saws and loppers. A further piece of sterling work by the redoubtable Most of early July was taken up with Thursday Volunteers. Ground work preparation for the Reserve’s Open on the replacement footbridge Day. Tidying up, erecting the commenced. The metal structure of marquee, preparing the Barn the bridge itself was being constructed Compound etc. The new footbridge in Hanson’s Quarry workshop at this was formally opened on Open Day by time. Most of the work during March Bob Orange of Hanson, without was involved with the new footbridge, whose help the project could not have with several team members working been undertaken in the superb way at the Quarry workshop. The that it was. Management tasks in coppicing was completed by the first August included litter picking the Thursday in March. whole length of the access track, from the main road down to the Reserve By the first Thursday in April the entrance, grass mowing and cutting shuttering forming the footbridge the Barn Paddock. Because the new piers was completed and ready for the Harrogate Countryside Ranger had concrete to be poured in. The ready not yet been appointed and we were mixed concrete was brought down therefore without any motorised from Hanson’s in the dumper and a equipment, the latter task was further load was brought down the undertaken by hand scything – 15

another great effort by the Thursday Sam’s appointment and the Volunteers. Planning and designing consequent availability of the the new Riverside hide began in mid- reciprocating mower etc., it was August. August 2013 was quite warm possible to commence cutting the with a temperature of 24C recorded in various blocks along the Ride. This the Barn compound on the 8th. took several weeks and the raking up Compare that to the temperature of cut herbage several weeks more. In recorded in January – a 29 degree fact it was the end of November difference. before we finished completely. December was largely taken up with In early September we obtained a ton bird feeding and Riverside hide work, and a half of wheat from north Parks plus some end of year tidying up and Farm, plus the usual sacks of various rubbish removal etc. bird food from our usual suppliers ordered by Patti and Ray Rumbold, and commenced the winter bird A big “thank you” to the entire team feeding programme. Twenty three of High Batts volunteers: Brian Hebridean sheep belonging to Colin Darbyshire, Adrian Bennett, Will Slator were brought onto site on Rich, John Williams, Tom McGhie, September 5th and placed into the Peter Cook, Becky and Peter Huff, Barn paddock/Car park. Three weeks David Taylor, Gordon Hendry and later on the 26th they were moved up John Kendal. Thanks also to Sam the Reserve into the North Clearing. Walker and Colin Slator, and apologies to anyone inadvertently By October we were implementing omitted. our full winter bird feeding programme, including feeder replenishment twice weekly. On October 10th the sheep were brought back into the Barn Paddock/Car Park. Design and preparatory work on the new Riverside hide had started in earnest by now and continued on into the new year. The sheep were taken off site on the 17th, the same day that the new Harrogate Borough Council Countryside Ranger, Sam Walker, was with us for the first time. With

Fungi by Adrian Bennett

Introduction

The long spell of dry weather over the summer months, although enjoyed by Homo sapiens, proved a difficult time for the fungi on the reserve, with much reduced numbers and diversity.

The subsequent wet autumn should then have brought forth a flourish of mycological activity, which it did on many other sites which I forayed in the county, and also nationally, but for unexplained reasons, not at High Batts.

Every year, however, seems to bring its surprises, with previously unrecorded specimens appearing. These help compensate for the lack of diversity overall.

This report comprises only those fungi found on the Reserve and not in the wider recording area.

Fungi on the Reserve

Ubiquitous on dead wood around the reserve during both autumn and winter months is the Candlesnuff Fungus, Xylaria hypoxylon. This fungus when young is black like the burnt wick of a candle.

The top of the fungal fruitbody then becomes white as the asexual spores develop.

Candlesnuff Fungus Xylaria hypoxylon

Each winter, on the same log, not very far from the main hide, there appear several specimens of the Winter Polypore, Polyporus brumalis. As the name suggests looking under the cap will reveal pores rather than gills. The spores are released through these pores.

Blushing Bracket Daedaliopsis confragosa

Polyporus squamosus. This is quite a substantial bracket fungus and is often a foot across. It appears annually, and has an upper surface patterned rather like a reptile’s skin.

Its common name is Dryad’s Saddle, although because of the colouration, it Winter Polypore has also been called Pheasant’s Polyporus brumalis Back. One Genus that did well this year was that of the Morchellae – the Morels. On willow, just adjacent to the main Well over 30 fruit bodies of the ride and at the junction of the track Common Morel Morchella esculenta leading to the main hide another pored fungus can be seen.

This is known as the Blushing Bracket, Daedaliopsis confragosa because when you press the pores they develop a reddish/pink colour. As the fungus ages, the upper surface of the fruitbody becomes reddish brown as in the picture. Another of the pored fungi found on several logs on the reserve is

Dryad’s Saddle Polyporus squamosus

were seen. In May, just off the main ride near the ponds a large group of the Morel Cup, Disciotis venosa appeared, with more specimens in Hall’s Clearing.

Phragmidium rosae- pimpinellifoliae

Common Morel The rust does not necessarily kill the Morchella esculenta plant.

Spot the difference between the two Several interesting microfungi made specimens of Red Campion Silene an appearance in June. The most dioica flowers pictured overleaf. striking was on the Burnet Rose, Rosa pimpinellifolia present in the North, South, and Hall Clearings. The upper picture shows a normal flower. The rust, Phragmidium rosae- pimpinellifoliae affects the stems, In the lower picture the anthers are fruit and leaves of the plant, black because they are infected with producing deformities encased in the anther smut Microbotryum bright orange rust.

appropriately descriptive. The binomial is Thelephora terrestris.

In the grass in the same areas, but in October, were two fungi I had not seen on the reserve previously. Neither is large and can easily be missed.

Earthfan Thelephora terrestris

Red Campion This fungus is an Earthtongue. There Silene dioica are several species and this is the most common, being Geoglossum cookeianum. They prefer light sandy violaceum. The black mass is the spore soils. mass of the fungus replacing the anthers and its presence renders the The other is more easily seen because flower sterile. Insects will still try to it is yellow in colour. The common pollinate the flower and may then name is Yellow Club, Clavulinopsis spread the fungal spores to those helvola. plants in the vicinity. The fungus In September amongst the grass just overwinters in its fresh host and then north of the North Clearing was only infects the anthers… the second Waxcap to be recorded at High Batts. This Waxcap is Hygrocybe conica, the Blackening The North Clearing and its environs provided the most mycological interest in 2013. In the sandy soil at the northern end of the clearing in September were hundreds of rosette shaped ‘plants’. I had seen this fungus previously but never in such density. The common name of Earthfan is20

One fungus which was prolific this autumn and whose presence might produce some alarm was Honey Fungus, Armillaria mellea. This was growing from the base of many trees. The pathogenicity of Armillaria does seem to be variable so hopefully it will not signify the future demise of these trees on the reserve.

Earthtongue Geoglossum cookeianum

Waxcap. Normally a bright red colour it gradually blackens and the photograph shows the start of this process at the base of the stipe.

Blackening Waxcap Hygrocybe conica

With a very wet autumn it was no surprise that the wood rotting fungi had an ideal environment. A little north of Hall’s Clearing just off the path there is a lying log which

Yellow Club Clavulinopsis helvola

will be happy to provide one.

Thanks to those who reported fungi on the Reserve in 2013.

Adrian Bennett

Honey Fungus Armillaria mellea this year was covered in Jelly Rot, Phlebia tremellosa. This fungus forms soft curtains. If you see this and have a magnifying glass to hand, take a look at the underside.

If any member would like a complete list of the fungi found in 2013 please Jelly Rot contact me, by post or email, and I Phlebia tremellosa

Ferns and Flowering Plants by Robert Adams

Nomenclature follows Stace (1991), New Flora of the British Isles

The cool wet spring of 2013 had an from the conditions and bloomed effect on the vegetation at High Batts, well. Pyramid orchid Anacamptis holding back many species and pyramidalis, a fairly reliable feature curtailing the appearance of some of the Rideside on the Reserve’s Open altogether. The spring started quite Day in July, was not as numerous as well with the snowdrops Galanthus usual, a result no doubt of the cool nivalis putting on a good show wet spring. throughout the Reserve. The weather in February and March seemed The only autumn flower of note was promising and the sweet violets Viola the devil’s-bit scabious Succisa odorata were in profusion in the pratensis in the Silver Birches in woodland from the north end down to September, which managed to avoid Hall’s Clearing during the latter being decapitated by browsing roe month. The yellow star of Bethlehem deer in 2013, thereby blooming and Gagea lutea around the hide was providing nectar for the late summer/ disappointing, with very few early autumn butterflies. flowering plants found, but the early purple orchids Orchis mascula at the Thank you to members who head of the waterfall did well again in contributed records in 2013. 2013, with 16 flowering spikes present in April.

In late April the weather took a downturn and we experienced one of the wettest, coolest Mays for many years. Although the weather pulled up a bit in June, and we had a fine warm July and August, many flowers never fully recovered; although the giant bellflowers Campanula latifolia and the clustered bellflowers Campanula glomerata both seemed to benefit

Butterflies by Will Rich

Introduction

What a year of contrasts! The coldest March since 1962 then, at long last, a decent summer. Everything late and then, Mother Nature showing her resilience yet again, an abundance of butterflies. There were no records at all in March and butterflies only began to emerge slowly in April and May. Thenceforth things picked up rapidly and on one day in August, Robert Adams and I recorded over 300 butterflies of 13 species in the Reserve. Unfortunately, we looked in vain for three common species (Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, Brimstone), which we would in a normal summer see most days, and which would have brought the total up to a magnificent 16.

There were downsides. Some migrant butterflies, such as Painted Lady and Red Admiral, were in short supply in the Reserve and Small Tortoiseshell had another bad year, though all three species, and Small Tortoiseshell in particular, fared better over the river at Bellflask. No Holly Blues were recorded. On the other hand, the poor showing of some species was compensated for with greater diversity, with 22 species being recorded in 2013, five more than last year. (For information, Britain and Ireland have a total of 59 resident species.)

This year I was fortunate to receive records from Bellflask (the first since 2010), so this report is much more comprehensive than those of the past two years. As Brian and Susan Morland live on site, their records are more frequent and reliable than those from the Reserve which, apart from those of the regular Thursday volunteers, are sporadic. Records refer to the Reserve unless otherwise stated. To avoid repetition, dates which refer to Bellflask are indicated thus: (B). Nomenclature has changed recently, the Satyridae having been subsumed under Nymphalidae. In this report I shall follow the order and nomenclature in Lewington, R, 2010, Pocket Guide to the Butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland.

Species list for 2013

Hesperiidae Bugloss Echium vulgare, which was growing in profusion at the northern SMALL SKIPPER end of the Reserve. In the Bellflask Thymelicus sylvestris garden the insects favoured the flowers of Everlasting Pea and Scarlet This species was more numerous than Runner Bean. The last record was on in recent years at Bellflask, the first 17th October (B). being recorded on 30th June and the last on 28th July. A count there on LARGE WHITE 23rd July produced a new maximum Pieris brassicae of 17. There were two records for the Reserve: five or more along the ride There were three Large Whites on 25th July and a single insect on the reported in the Reserve on 6th May ride on 1st August. and a single on the 26th but none was seen in June or the first week of July LARGE SKIPPER either in the reserve or at Bellflask. Ochlodes venata The second showing began on 12th July (B), approximately ten were The first was a single on 4th July at counted along the ride in the Reserve Bellflask, which was the only record on 25th July and 100+ on 6th and 14th for the site. There were two records August. The butterfly was abundant from the Reserve: four on 8th July at Bellflask and numbers of larvae and a single on 11th July. were so great that they devastated the brassica crop in the garden. Fewer Pieridae were recorded in autumn and the last one was on 22nd October (B). BRIMSTONE Gonepteryx rhamni SMALL WHITE Pieris rapae The first of the over-wintered insects was recorded on 23rd April (B), about The first of the over-wintered insects three weeks later than normal. In the was reported on 20th April (B). The Reserve five were counted on 7th species was then recorded on only six May, and 5+ on 27th May, which was days at Bellflask until 17th June but the maximum for the over-wintered virtually every dry day thereafter until insects. This species was seen in the last on 8th October. A combined small numbers during June and July. total of 20 Small and Green-veined A maximum of 20+ for the new brood Whites was recorded in the Reserve was recorded on 14th August and 15+ on 18th July. Subsequently numbers on 22nd of the month, the insects increased greatly to a maximum of being particularly attracted to Viper’s 100+ on 6th August with 50-100 25

being recorded throughout August. The last record was on 27th June (B). Into autumn the numbers dwindled Dame’s Violet (Hesperis matronalis) and the last was a single on 17th seems to be the adult’s favourite October. As with the previous nectar source. species, the larvae proved highly detrimental to the Bellflask garden Lycaenidae brassica crop. WHITE-LETTER HAIRSTREAK GREEN-VEINED WHITE Satyrium w-album Pieris napi The only record was of seven seen The first record was of three on 1st flitting around the crowns of the May in the Reserve, two were Wych Elms (Ulmus spp) in the recorded on Ramsons (Allium Reserve on 11th July. ursinum) on 6th May and a total of 20 on the following day. As with SMALL COPPER Brimstone, small numbers continued Lycaena phlaeas to be observed throughout May, June and early July. The population This butterfly is not normally seen increased greatly in late July and every year within the Reserve or at August, with 100+ on 1st and 8th Bellflask but in 2013 within the August and a maximum of 150+ on Reserve alone there were four records of single insects on 7th July, and 6th, 14th August. Numbers declined rapidly towards the end of the month 8th and 25th August. At Bellflask it and into September. The last was a was seen on nine days during a single on the ride side on 26th similar period, preferring Ragwort September. This was by far the most (Senecio jacobaea) as a nectaring common butterfly at Bellflask during plant. The last sighting was on 3rd July and August, seeming to be September (B). especially attracted to Marjoram BROWN ARGUS (Origanum vulgare) and Knapweed Aricia agestis

(Centaurea nigra). A good year for this species with the ORANGE TIP first record being from Bellflask, Anthocharis cardamines where it is well established, on 12th This single brooded butterfly was first July. Two insects were seen in the recorded on 30th April (B), almost a Reserve nectaring on white clover on month later than usual. Ten were seen 25th July. Three were seen on 1st in the Reserve on 6th May and a August, a maximum of five on the maximum of approximately 50 on the ride side on 8th August and a single following day. At least fifteen were on 14th August. At Bellflask the recorded on 16th May and 20+ on highest count was 11 on 30th July. 18th June. So a good year for this The last was seen on 3rd September species despite the inauspicious start. (B). Like the previous species, the adult Brown Argus seems to have a 26

preference for Ragwort. (exact numbers not given) on four days. There were only three recorded COMMON BLUE in total in the Reserve: two on 8th Polyommatus icarus August and a single on 22nd August.

Never common in the Reserve, this On 2nd September butterflies were species also had a poor year at migrating through the area and were Bellflask, where it is usually more seen for two hours from the Bellflask numerous. The first, a male, was seen garden. on 7th June (B), a single was seen in SMALL TORTOISESHELL the reserve on 7th July, during August Aglais urticae a female on 6th, a male on 22nd, two (sex unspecified) on 25th and a Not a particularly good year for this female on 28th. The last was species from within the Reserve and recorded on 3rd September (B). nationally it has had a very poor twenty-first century so far. However, Nymphalidae it was described as abundant during July, August and September in the RED ADMIRAL garden and on the quarry site at Vanessa atalanta Bellflask. The first record was of an over-wintered insect on 10th April (B) This mainly migratory species had a and on the 20th of the month 15 were very poor year in the Reserve but counted around the Bellflask quarry fared much better at Bellflask. Two site. By contrast, there was only one over-wintered individuals were over-wintered insect seen in the recorded on 9th April (B) but no more Reserve (7th May) and the maximum were seen until 14th July (B). It was was at least six on 22nd August. The then recorded almost daily at last was seen on 16th November (B). Bellflask until the last one on 26th October. The largest count was on PEACOCK 17th October when eight were seen in Inachis io the Bellflask garden. In the Reserve there was a total of only three seen What a year for this species! The from the first on 29th August to the over-wintered insects were late to last on 17th October. emerge, with the first being reported on 16th April (B). At least ten were PAINTED LADY nectaring on Ground Ivy (Glechoma Vanessa cardui hederacea) in the Reserve on 1st May and four or five were seen in Ripon Not a good year for this long-distance Parks a day later. No records in July migrant, though better than 2012. The and then the population exploded, first was seen on 3rd July (B) and the with at least 60 recorded in the last two months later (B), however it Reserve on 1st August, 50-75 on the was recorded on only ten days at 6th and a maximum of 100+ on the Bellflask, with multiple sightings 27

14th. Up to 30 were recorded on was seen in the Reserve on the 9th various occasions during the and a further two on the 14th. The remainder of August, followed by a maximum for the Reserve of five was steady decline till by the end of recorded on Devilsbit Scabious in the September only one could be found in Silver Birches area on 22nd August. the Reserve, though there were still up At Bellflask, meanwhile, numbers to 20 in the Bellflask garden at this increased dramatically from mid- stage. The species was seen in good August to attain a maximum in the numbers there throughout August and garden of 28 on 29th September. The September, the last sighting being on last was a single on 17th October. 22nd October. In the Reserve the DARK GREEN FRITILLARY insects seemed to be particularly Argynnis aglaja attracted to the Marjoram (Origanum vulgare) near the Hotel. When this To my knowledge, which admittedly faded, they turned their attention to does not go back very far, this the Devilsbit Scabious (Succisa butterfly has never been recorded in pratensis) in the Silver Birches area. the Reserve but it is sometimes seen The abundance of potential prey items at Bellflask in the area fringing Jetty attracted a pair of Spotted Flycatchers, Wood. This year there were two which were seen taking adult sightings, one on 13th July and the Peacocks on the wing from in front of other on 18th of the month. (This the hide. Similar behaviour was species has been recorded within the reported from Bellflask. Another Reserve on only a handful of interesting observation from Bellflask occasions, from the north end of the concerns the behaviour of Peacock wood, which indicates that they were larvae, which were seen to make probably overspills from the Bellflask erratic, jerky movements in unison population. Eds) when disturbed, thus giving the appearance to a predator of one large SPECKLED WOOD body rather than individual Pararge aegeria caterpillars. Spring records were of only two insects, on 6th and 17th May, both at COMMA Bellflask, where it was not seen again Polygonia c-album until 14th June. Subsequently it was Unlike last year, when there were no recorded any day that the weather was records at all, this species was dry and bright. The first, very late, recorded in small numbers, but not record in the Reserve was of three on until late June, showing that over- 7th July. The maximum of 20+ for wintering was not very successful. this brood was recorded on the very There were no spring records from Bellflask either, the first sighting being on 18th July. There were two in Ripon Parks on 8th August, one

next day. There were records in low single figures throughout the rest of The first record was on 14th July (B). July and early August, then a Two were seen in the Reserve on 6th maximum of 20+ for what one August, then two at North Parks and assumes was the second brood on two in the Reserve on the 8th. The 14th August. The species continued only other record from the Reserve to be recorded in lower numbers until was a single on 9th August, which 12th September when 15-20 were was the last. At Bellflask it was counted and the 26th of the month recorded on a total of eight days. when 20-30 were recorded. Was this the maximum for a third brood? MEADOW BROWN Maniola jurtina Subsequently numbers declined and the last was a single on 17th October. The first record of this single-brooded At Bellflask it was the most prolific species was on 30th June (B). In the year for this species since it was first Reserve, approximately 20 were recorded on the site at the turn of the recorded on 7th July. Numbers then century, the maximum being 23 on increased to a maximum of c200-300 14th September. on the 25th of the month. Counts in excess of 100 were still being made in WALL early August but numbers then Lasiommata megera declined, with some relict specimens

There were no records of the looking very worn by the end of the following two species last year. At month. The last was a single on 29th Bellflask the Wall seemed to “explode August. At Bellflask it was recorded onto the scene” on 10th June when 15 most days during the flight period but were recorded and numbers were numbers were slightly down on the good up to the last of the first brood long term average. on 4th July. The second brood emerged on 6th August and the RINGLET Aphantopus hyperantus species was abundant with a maximum of 21 on 29th August, after An excellent year for this species, which, strangely, no more were seen. particularly in the Reserve. The first The first record in the Reserve was of record was on 30th June (B) and c50 two on 8th August. One was seen on were seen in the reserve on 7th July. 9th August and a total of c10 was The population then rocketed and a counted in the car park and on the ride maximum of 500-750 was attained the side on the 22nd of the month. The following day. Numbers remained last, a single, was seen in the top car high and c400-500 were recorded park on the same day the last ones along the ride on 25th July. There was were seen at Bellflask. then a rapid decline, with the last record (two) on 9th August. At GATEKEEPER Bellflask, as with the previous Pyronia tithonus species, it was slightly less abundant 29

than average.

Acknowledgements

Many thanks to all (sadly fewer than last year) who contributed records on the forms kept in the pond hide: R. Adams, East Dales Ringing Group, K. Gittens, J. Kendal, A. Kinnear, J. Larbalastier, B. Latty, A. Quinn, P. Thoresby and R. Tite.

I am also indebted to Brian and Susan Morland for providing me with a very comprehensive account of their observations at Bellflask.

Other Insects and Invertebrates by Jim Jobe

Key NRR= Species new to Reserve. NS = Species new to High Batts Recording Area.

Summary Records of insects of “other orders” are again scarce this year but this is more than made up for by the fact that most of the species reported are “new”. All photographs in this report are by Brian Morland unless otherwise attributed.

COLEOPTERA: BEETLES

CHRYSOMELIDAE: Leaf Beetles:

Gastrophysa viridula NS Little Studley 7th August, JBJ. This very common beetle feeds on Docks and it can often be found on them throughout the summer, both as small, black larvae or bright green (usually copulating!) adults. The eggs are bright yellow and are laid in batches beneath a leaf.

Altica oleracea NS Little Studley, 7th August, JBJ. This is one of the Flea Beetles. The adults are dull, metallic green or sometimes bright blue and feed on a variety of wayside plants.

Gastrophysa viridula CERAMBYCIDAE: Photo: J.B.Jobe Longhorn Beetles: 31

Panorpa communis Bellflask, 7th Rhagium mordax Bellflask, BM. June, BM. Three species of Panorpa Brian Morland photographed this nice occur in Yorkshire but this one is the specimen on 19th June. most often reported. It has heavier Clytus arietis. After an apparent spotting on the wings than the other absence for several years, possibly two species. They fly weakly in because of a run of poor summers, the shady places, eating mainly dead animal matter and fruit.

HYMENOPTERA: BEES, WASPS AND ANTS

Rhagium mordax

Wasp Beetle seems to be back in strength again. Bellflask, 26th June, BM. . MECOPTERA: SCORPION FLIES Panorpa communis

SYMPHYTA: SAWFLIES

Cimbex femoratus Birch Sawfly. NS. Bellflask, 16th July. New VC65 record and possibly second Yorkshire record. This species appears to be under-recorded as it is fairly frequent in the Ripon area.

Fenusa ulmi NRR. Elm Sawfly. Leaf mine, 2nd July, CHF. Like all of the Sawflies, this species is considerably under-recorded and this is only the Clytus arietis third or fourth Yorkshire record.

somehow).

Acknowledgements (with apologies for any omissions) to B.Morland and Dr. C.H.Fletcher.

Cimbex femoratus

ARACHNIDAE: SPIDERS AND MITES

ACARINA: MITES

PARASITIDAE: PARASITIC Poecilochirus carabi MITES

Poecilochirus carabi Bellflask, 12th September 2012. BM. Brian found this Nicrophorus Sexton Beetle literally crawling with phoretic (hitch- hiking) mites. They are actually more symbiotic than parasitic as they hitch a lift from the beetles to their next item of carrion where they then feed on the flies and larvae that would otherwise compete for food with the beetle larvae. It has been reported that the mites themselves are parasitized by a species of nematode worm. (“Great fleas have smaller fleas and so ad infinitum” seems appropriate here

Insects - Special Feature

On the following pages is

A CHECKLIST OF THE BEETLES OF HIGH BATTS N.R. AND ITS ENVIRONS

Part 2: GYRINIDAE, HALIPLIDAE, NOTERIDAE, HYGROBIIDAE and DYTISCIDAE: These families are all comprised of Water Beetles.

by J.B.Jobe

It is hoped that this checklist will be of use to present and future recorders of the Coleoptera of the High Batts study area which encompasses the banks of the River Ure between West Tanfield and Ripon in North Yorkshire and that it will encourage more records to be submitted in future. The majority of species recorded here have been from the High Batts Nature Reserve itself (species not yet recorded from the Reserve proper are shown thus: *) and were made between 1990 and the present day mostly by members of High Batts Nature Reserve and also by members of Harrogate and District Naturalists’ Society and the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union. Details of individual records and recorders may be found in back copies of the High Batts Annual Report for this period.

GYRINIDAE: WHIRLIGIG Dytiscus marginalis BEETLES: Gyrinus substriatus HYDROPORINAE: Hyphydrus ovatus HALIPLIDAE: CRAWLING Hydroglyphus geminus WATER BEETLES: Hygrotus decorates Haliplus flavicollis * H. impressopunctatus * H. fulvus H. inaequalis H. heydeni H. versicolor * H. lineatocollis Hydroporus angustatus H. ruficollis H. erythrocephalus H. gyllenhali NOTERIDAE: BURROWING H. incognitus * WATER BEETLES: H. memnomius * Noterus clavicornis H. palustris H. planus HYGROBIIDAE: SCREECH H. striola * BEETLES: H. umbrosus * Hygrobia hermanni * Nebrioporus elegans Stictotarsus duodecimpustulatus DYTISCIDAE: PREDACIOUS Suphrodytes dorsalis DIVING BEETLES: AGABINAE: Agabus biguttatus LACCOPHILINAE: A. bipustulatus Laccophilus hyalinus * A. guttatus L. minutus A. labiatus * TOTAL: 45 Species in Part 2. A. paludosus A. sturmii Erratum: A. unguicularis * In Part 1: Delete Amara lucida and Ilybius aenescens I. ater change number of species to 56. (A. I. fenestratus * lucida does not occur any closer to us I. fuliginosus * than the Nidd Gorge). I. guttiger * I. subaeneus * I. chalconatus/montanus * Platambus maculatus

COLYMBETINAE: Colymbetes fuscus *

DYTISCINAE: 35

Photographs of some individual Water Beetles (not to scale)

Gyrinus substriatus Haliplus ruficollis

Hygrobia hermanni Noterus clavicornis

Agabus bipustulatus Agabus guttatus

Ilybius ater Ilybius fulginosus

Colymbetes fuscus

Dytiscus marginalis

Hygrotus inaequalis

Laccobius minutus

Hydroporus planus

Moths by Jill Warwick

Introduction A single visit was undertaken by the moth trappers this year, planned to coincide with the Open Day on 6th July, no other records being received. Five mercury vapour traps were positioned the night before in several key locations, i.e. adjoining the dragonfly ponds, Silver Birch and Hall Clearings and along the Ride, to cover a selection of different habitats/vegetation types, thus increasing the potential diversity of species caught.

The Reserve list (adjusted to exclude duplicate subspecies) now stands at 318 “macro” and 194 “micro” species, increasing by just one this year – bringing the reserve’s total number of species recorded to 512. A very respectable total considering that moth trapping is now an irregular activity at the Reserve.

Key: NS indicates a new species for the Reserve.

Recorded in 2013

The nomenclature and order follow J.D. Bradley’s Checklist of Lepidoptera Recorded from the British Isles (2000) with the species number given after each record. This is the last year that the moth report will follow the Bradley order. To bring moth recording in the British Isles into line with our European colleagues, who have conducted DNA research into moth genetics, a new order has now been published. Changes in scientific names, especially amongst microlepidoptera, have also occurred – all of which will take a little while to become accustomed to!

Hepialidae Gelechiidae Ghost Moth Hepialus humuli (0014) Metzneria lappella (0724) Bryotropha terrella (0787) Yponomeutidae Acompsia cinerella (0855) Eidophasia messingiella (0469) Cosmopterigidae Coleophoridae Blastodacna hellerella (0905) Coleophora trigeminella (0502) C. mayrella (518) Tortricidae Chequered Fruit-tree Tortrix

Pandemis corylana (0969) (1653) Barred Fruit-tree Tortrix P. cerasana Figure of Eighty Tethea ocularis (0970) octogesimea (1654) Large Fruit-tree Tortrix Archips podana (0977) Geometridae Timothy Tortrix Aphelia paleana Riband Wave Idaea aversata (1713) (0989) Flame Carpet Xanthorhoe designata Cyclamen Tortrix Clepsis spectrana (1722) (0993) Silver-ground Carpet X. montanata Red-barred Tortrix Ditula (1727) angustiorana (1010) Common Carpet Epirrhoe alternata Pseudargyrotoza conwagana (1011) (1738) Celypha striana (1063) Yellow Shell Camptogramma bilineata (1742) H. ochroleucana (1084) NS Barred Straw Eulithis pyraliata (1758) Similar in appearance to several other Common Marbled Carpet Chloroclysta Hedya species, it requires careful truncata (1764) examination to determine. More scarce in Barred Yellow Cidaria fulvata (1765) northern England, the larvae feed on Rose Spruce Carpet Thera britannica (1769) (incl. cultivated varieties) and Apple, Green Carpet Colostygia pectinataria spinning the leaves together. (1776) Bramble Shoot Moth Epiblema July Highflyer Hydriomena furcata uddmanniana (1175) (1777) E. trimaculana (1176) Rivulet Perizoma affinitata (1802) Eucosma campoliliana (1197) Sandy Carpet P. flavofasciata (1808) E. cana (1201) Green Pug Pasiphila rectangulata Lathronympha strigana (1219) (1860) Clouded Border Lomaspilis marginata Pyralidae (1887) Garden Grass-veneer Chrysoteuchia Scorched Wing Plagodis dolabraria culmella (1293) (1904) Crambus pascuella (1294) Brimstone Moth Opisthograptis Agriphila straminella (1304) luteolata (1906) A. tristella (1305) Peppered Moth Biston betularia (1931) S. pyralella (1333) Mottled Beauty Alcis repandata (1941) S. ambigualis (1334) Bordered White Bupalus piniaria Dipleurina lacustrata (1338) (1954) Garden Pebble Evergestis forficalis Common White Wave Cabera pusaria (1356) (1955 Small Magpie Eurrhypara hortulata Common Wave C. exanthemata (1956) (1376) White-pinion Spotted Lomographa Udea olivalis (1392) bimaculata (1957) Thistle Ermine Myelois circumvoluta Light Emerald Campaea margaritata (1458) (1961) Barred Red Hylaea fasciaria (1962) Drepanidae Sphingidae Peach Blossom Thyatira batis (1652) Lime Hawk-moth Mimas tiliae (1979) Buff Arches Habrosyne pyritoides Poplar Hawk-moth Laothoe populi (1981) 40

Elephant Hawk-moth Deilephila Brown Rustic Rusina ferruginea (2302) elpenor (1991) Small Angle Shades Euplexia lucipara (2305) Notodontidae Dark Arches Apamea monoglypha Buff-tip Phalera bucephala (1994) (2321) Sallow Kitten Furcula furcula (1997) Light Arches A. lithoxylaea (2322) Iron Prominent Notodonta dromedarius Clouded-bordered Brindle (melanic) (2000) Apamea crenata ab. combusta (2326) Pebble Prominent N. ziczac (2003) Clouded Brindle A. epomidion (2327) Lesser Swallow Prominent Pheosia Dusky Brocade A. remissa (2330) gnoma (2006) Small Clouded Brindle A. unanimis Swallow Prominent P. tremula (2007) (2331) Marbled Minor agg Oligia strigilis agg. Arctiidae (2337x) Common Footman Eilema lurideola Middle-barred Minor O. fasciuncula (2050) (2340) White Ermine Spilosoma lubricipeda Uncertain Hoplodrina alsines (2381) (2060) Mottled Rustic Caradrina morpheus Buff Ermine S. luteum (2061) (2387) Cinnabar Tyria jacobaeae (2069) Burnished Brass Diachrysia chrysitis (2434) Noctuidae Silver Y Autographa gamma (2441) Turnip Argotis segetum (2087) Beautiful Golden Y A. pulchrina (2442) Heart and Club A. clavis (2088) Plain Golden Y A. jota (2443) Heart and Dart A. exclamationis (2089) Spectacle Abrostola tripartita (2450) Flame Axylia putris (2098) Straw Dot Rivula sericealis (2474) Flame Shoulder Ochropleura plecta Snout Hypena proboscidalis (2477) (2102) Large Yellow Underwing Noctua pronuba (2107) Setaceous Hebrew Character Xestia c- nigrum (2126) Double Square-spot X. triangulum (2128) Dotted Clay X. baja (2130) Green Arches Anaplectoides prasina (2138) Dot Moth Melanchra persicariae (2155) Bright-line Brown-eye Lacanobia oleracea (2160) Lychnis Hadena bicruris (2173) Clay Mythimna farrago (2193) Smoky Wainscot M. impura (2198) Common Wainscot M. pallens (2199) Poplar Grey Acronicta megacephala (2278) Dark/Grey Dagger A. tridens/psi (2284x) 41

Damselflies and Dragonflies by Stephen Worwood

Introduction

This year’s report gives a similar picture as the previous years with the same 13 species recorded. Although records remain low there is a noticeable improvement on several species, i.e. Ruddy Darter and Migrant Hawker. The Common Darter, remains infrequently seen. However, the picture presented below probably more represents observer activity rather than true status of species in the Reserve.

For full accounts of these and the other species see the comprehensive list that follows. The order and nomenclature follows that of Askew R.R., The Dragonflies of Europe (1988).

ZYGOPTERA An improvement for this species, the 2. Banded demoiselle first record was five empty emergence Calopteryx splendens cases and two emerging insects on 4th May; then reported regularly in low Present between 6th June and 25th numbers up to a maximum of 20 on July, this was a week later than 2012; 20th May until four on 13th July. flight period finished three weeks earlier, with a maximum of 12 on 7th 28. Azure Damzelfly July. Coenagrion puella

9. Emerald Damselfly The first were two on the 20th May Lestes sponsa then recorded regularly up to a maximum of 200+ on 8th June and Another species that had a poor year. July, until the last record of two on The first record was six on 13th July, 6th August. Included in these were then recorded up to a maximum of several dates when ovipositing was only 20 until 28th August; with one observed. isolated late record of one on 6th 31. Common Blue Damselfly October. Enallagma cyathigerum

16. Large Red Damselfly The report of numerous insects on 6th Pyrrhosoma nymphula 42

June was the first for the year. Then the species was regularly seen from regularly recorded, with a maximum the first on the 7th July and the 30th of 150+ on 8th July until the last August up to a maximum of ten, with record of ten on 15th August. again ovipositing recorded. The last for the year was an isolated record of 33. Blue-tailed Damselfly one on the 1st October. Ischnura elegans 91. Four spotted Chaser Recorded on four dates, ten on 6th and Libellula quadrimaculata two on the 8th June with six on the 7th and four on the 8th July. The first record for the year was two on the 6th June, with four on the 8th; ANISOPTERA then two on the 7th July and one on the 13th. These were the only reports 39. Common Hawker in 2013. Aeshna juncea 95. Common Darter Only three records this year - all Sympetrum striolatum males, a single on the 7th July with two on 13th July and 15th August. The first was a single on 6th August. Reported regularly, usually in single 43. Migrant Hawker or low double figures with a Aeshna mixta maximum of 30 on 6th October, until the last record of two on 17th A considerable improvement on 2012 October, for this species; a single on the 5th August was the first, then seen 102. Ruddy Darter regularly until 8th October, with a Sympetrum sanguineum maximum of ten on 14th August and 8th October, with again reports of Four records of this small darter; a ovipositing females. male on 25th July, with four on the 14th August, two on the 15th and one 45. Southern Hawker on the 30th. Aeshna cyenea Reported in low numbers from two on 8th July to the last of a male on 6th October, with the bulk of records in August when the maximum of three occurred on 30th.

47. Brown hawker Aeshna grandis The most regularly reported Hawker,

Lampreys, Fish, Amphibians and Reptiles by Barry Slaymaker

Class: PISCES Common Toad Bufo bufo Minnow No records submitted. Phoxinus phoxinus More than a hundred fish noted in the Common Frog Hide Pond/Stream on 1st August. Rana temporaria Single animal noted in the Hide Pond Three-spined Sticklebacks on 7th July and a young one in an Gasterosteus aculeatus unspecified location in the reserve on More than fifty specimens seen in the 1st August. Hide Pond on 7th July, just ‘a few’ in the same area on 1st August, and then Class: MALACOSTRACA around thirty fish caught during operations to clear duck weed on 29th Signal Crayfish August. Pacifastacus leniusculus

A single specimen found in a moribund state on the track west of Class: AMPHIBIA the Reserve on 26th September.

The nomenclature and species order Thanks to those for submitting follows Arnold, E.N. and Burton, records in 2013. An unusually thin J.A., 1978 A Field Guide to the year for records so one hopes that the Reptiles and Amphibians of Britain amphibian population is far healthier and Europe than this report suggests.

Great Crested Newt Triturus cristatus Two sightings this year in the Reserve, one in the North Clearing on 7th July and the other recovered during the duck weed operations on 29th August.

Birds by Ann Macintosh

Introduction During the 2013 recording period 99 species (including one exotic) were recorded in the Reserve and Recording Area as opposed to 102 the previous year. As in previous years there were regular sightings throughout the year of Sparrowhawk, Kingfisher, Tawny Owl and Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Notable additions this year included a White Stork seen over the Reserve in May; this is the first sighting since 2007. A Water Rail was seen in the Reserve in September; the only other recordings were in 2007 and 2009. A Barn Owl, last recorded in 2009, was seen in the Recording Area. A Reed Warbler was seen and heard singing in the Reserve from June to August. There are no records of this species in the 2007 to 2012 bird lists for the Reserve or Recording Area. After a gap of two years, there were three recordings of a number of Waxwings in the Reserve.

Disappointingly for 2013 there were no sightings of Pink-footed Goose, Common Shelduck, Snipe or Redshank. This year there were no records for the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, even though it has been recorded every year since 2008. Also missing were records for Redstart, Lesser Whitethroat, Common Crossbill, and Willow Tit.

The breeding season allowed observers to record a number of species of adult birds with young. These were Mute Swan, Mallard, Little Grebe, Moorhen, Tawny Owl, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Rook and Tree Sparrow. Additionally, juveniles of Sparrowhawk, Green Woodpecker, Long Tailed Tit and Bullfinch were recorded.

In the 2012 Annual Report the details concerning Woodcock were omitted from the comparison of bird recordings from 2007 to 2012. Woodcock have been recorded every winter since 2008, except for 2007. One was sighted in January 2011 and again one in January 2012. In 2013 there has been a sighting each month from January to April. Many thanks go to the observers who filled in the recording sheets and to East Dales Ringing Group (EDRG) who provided details from their ringing efforts in the Reserve and Recording Area.

Once again the attention of observers is drawn to the section at the end of the species list, concerning records of rare birds for which a detailed description is required. The Reserve follows the policy of the Harrogate and District Naturalists’ Society (HDNS) and the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union, who apply conditions when records of certain rare birds arise, and relevant information is set out accordingly. Guidance can be sought from the Chairman, Bird Recorder or Warden.

Species List for 2013

This report follows the taxonomic listing of British birds recommended in the British List published by the British Ornithologists’ Union.

Mute Swan A. anser Cygnus olor There was a nest on the Hide Pond Birds were recorded fairly regularly with an adult brooding on 16th May. throughout the year across the Goslings were recorded on Recording Area. A maximum of Lightwater Pond on 6th June. The eight were on Bellflask on 15th maximum over the Reserve was circa October. A nest and two birds were 250 on 24th January. recorded at Lightwater Pond on 4th April. Six cygnets fledged and one Greater Canada Goose was caught and ringed and is now Branta canadensis Red-XBC. The maximum seen was circa 100 in Whooper Swan the fields by the quarry track on 26th C. cygnus September.

Four flew over the Reserve towards Common Shelduck Bellflask on 7th February and four Tadorna tadorna flew over the Reserve on 11th October. Four flew over the River Ure on 21st February. Greylag Goose Gadwall Anas strepera

Two were on Black Heath Pond on 7th February, two were over the Goosander Reserve on 24th March, three flew Mergus merganser over on 7th April and two were on Seen on and over the Reserve in the River Ure on 24th April. January and February and then again Teal between August and December. Five A. crecca males and two females were seen on the river on 24th January. The Five records were received with a maximum seen was eight on Black maximum of four birds seen flying Heath Pond on 12th December. around the Reserve on 7th April. Red-legged Partridge Mallard Alectoris rufa A. platyrhynchos Ten records were received during the Regularly seen on the Reserve year with a maximum of 50 in the throughout the year. A maximum of Reserve on 26th October. 25 were seen in the Recording Area. Two young on the river and seven Grey Partridge young on the Hide Pond were Perdix perdix recorded on 19th June. One was seen near the feeders by the Shoveler Hide Pond on 7th February. A. clypeata Pheasant On 21st February 11 flew over the Phasianus colchicus river, possibly disturbed from Bellflask. Circa 100 were present in the Reserve on 26th September, all no Tufted Duck doubt from a local release pen. Aythya fuligula Cormorant Six records were received this year. Phalacrocorax carbo The maximum number seen was circa 12 on Black Heath Pond on A juvenile was seen on the Stream 14th February. Pond on 27th January. A maximum Goldeneye of two were seen flying over the Bucephala clangula Reserve in January, October and November. Individuals were noted in January, February and December. All were in Little Egret flight over the river. Egretta garzetta One was photographed on the Reserve on the 17th June, and one

recorded flying over the Reserve on the year. One was recorded carrying 15th November. food on 14th August and a juvenile was seen on 13th September. A Grey Heron maximum of three were seen on one Ardea cinerea occasion.

One or two birds were seen regularly Buzzard throughout the year with a maximum Buteo buteo of four seen in the Reserve in June. Several were seen regularly White Stork throughout the year. Six were seen Ciconia ciconia displaying on 9th April. On 1st May a maximum of 12 were circling over One flew over the Reserve on 12th the Reserve. May. This is the first sighting since

2007. Kestrel

Falco tinnunculus Little Grebe Tachybactus ruficollis One or two recorded regularly throughout the year in the Reserve. Several sightings of one or two birds on the river and Hide pond between Water Rail March and July and again in Rallus aquaticus December. One adult with one young bird was recorded on 12th May. One recorded in Reserve on 4th September, the only other previous Great Crested Grebe records were in 2007 and 2009. Podiceps cristatus Moorhen Gallinula chloropus Singles or two birds were on Bellflask in February, April and Twenty was the maximum number May. Two birds were seen seen on the Reserve in November displaying on Bellflask on 9th April. and December. On 1st May one nest with two young was recorded on the Red Kite North Pond. Six young were seen on Milvus milvus 8th August.

One was seen over the Reserve on Coot 6th May. Fulica atra

Sparrowhawk Thirty nine was the maximum Accipiter nisus number seen on Black Heath Pond on 17th January. Birds were seen regularly throughout

Oystercatcher Black-headed Gull Haematopus ostralegus Chroicocephalus ridibundus Regularly seen or heard over Reserve Seen every month in the Recording and Recording Area from 24th Area. A maximum of circa 300 were March to 7th July. The maximum at Ripon Parks on 12th December was seven over the Reserve on 30th and circa 75 were over the Reserve March. on 1st October.

Lapwing Common Gull Vanellus vanellus Larus canus First seen on 3rd January. The Birds were recorded flying over the maximum seen over the Reserve was Recording Area in April, November circa 60 on 21st February. Last and December with a maximum of sighting of a group was circa 40 over circa 20 on 5th April. the Reserve on 17th October. A single bird was recorded on 12th Lesser Black-backed Gull November. L. fuscus

Two flew over the Reserve on 1st Woodcock October. Scolopax rusticola

One or two birds were seen each Herring Gull month from January through to L. argentatus April. Curlew An immature bird was seen on 9th April and one adult flew over the Numenius arquata Reserve on 21st February. Circa 200 seen over the Reserve on 17th January was the maximum Great Black-backed Gull recorded. A single bird was seen and L. marinus heard around the Reserve from One flew over the Reserve on 13th February to September. Circa 60 November. were seen over Pennycroft on 17th

October. Stock Dove

Columba oenas Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus Seen regularly around the Recording Area. Interestingly, on the 18th April Two records were received each of a one was seen entering the owl box in single bird: one heard calling over the Reserve and feathers the River Ure on 1st May; and one subsequently came out of the box. seen around Ripon Parks on 12th The maximum seen was 50 on 17th December. 49

December. June and July.

Woodpigeon Kingfisher C. palumbus Alcedo atthis Circa 100 in the Reserve on 21st One seen regularly from February to February was the maximum the year end either at the Hide Pond recorded. or on the river. Maximum of two were seen in June, August and Collared Dove September. Streptopelia decaocto Green Woodpecker There were a number of recordings Picus viridis throughout the year with a maximum of seven birds on 23rd November. One was heard or seen in the Reserve from April to November. Two were Cuckoo heard calling on 27th March. Two Cuculus canorus adults and one juvenile were recorded on 8th October. One was heard calling in the Reserve on 30th April. Great Spotted Woodpecker Barn Owl Dendrocopos major Tyto alba Seen regularly throughout the year. A bird was seen flying up from the Maximum recorded was ten on 13th quarry track side on 27th January. November. Two adults and one Little Owl young seen on 19th June and six adults and two young were present Athene noctua on the 6th August. An individual was noted in Ripon Parks on 12th December. Magpie Pica pica Tawny Owl Strix aluco The maximum recorded was four on 11th February. Seen regularly throughout the year. A maximum of two were heard and Jay seen mostly in or near the nest box Garrulus glandarius on the Reserve. One was seen One or two were heard and seen feeding young on16th May. most months of the year. Maximum

Swift recorded was three. One was Apus apus recorded killed by a Sparrowhawk on 11th July. Three records were received of two birds flying over Reserve in May, Jackdaw

Corvus monedula of which 22 were new birds ringed on the day. More than 100 were seen over Ripon

Parks and North Parks on 14th Coal Tit February and 11th July respectively. Periparus ater Ten individuals with young were recorded on 19th June. Regularly seen at feeders and around the Reserve all year. Circa ten was Rook the maximum recorded in the C. frugilegus Reserve on six occasions in February, April, May, August, 45-55 active nests with birds were October and November. recorded on 1st May. The maximum number of adults was 80 on the same Marsh Tit date. Poecile palustris

Carrion Crow Circa 20 was the maximum recorded C. corone on 28th August and again on 17th December. Seen throughout the year. Maximum number recorded was circa 20 on Skylark 29th October. Alauda arvensis

Goldcrest One or two birds were recorded in Regulus regulus February, March and April flying over the Recording Area. Then on One bird was in Hall's Clearing on 26th September circa 12 were seen 24th January; two were present in the over Pennycroft. Maximum recorded Reserve 6th October with one on 8th was circa 20 flying southwards over November and 16th December. Pennycroft on 24th October. The last

of the year were three over the Blue Tit Reserve on 7th November. Cyanistes caeruleus

Sixty five was the maximum Sand Martin recorded in the Reserve on 7th April Riparia riparia by the East Dales Ringing Group, The first of the year were three flying 34 of these were new birds ringed on over the Reserve and calling on 7th the same day. April. The maximum seen and also

the last record for the year was circa Great Tit Parus major 20 over the Reserve on 14th August.

Circa 60 was the maximum seen on Swallow 17th December. On 7th April the East Dales Ringing Group caught 53

Hirundo rustica Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla One was seen over the river on 11th April. Maximum seen was circa 30 Birds were seen or heard from 15th around North Parks and the Reserve April to 19th November. Up to six on 22nd August. The last sighting were heard singing on 19th July. was on 6th October with 11 over the Reserve. Garden Warbler House Martin S. borin Delichon urbicum The first record of the year was of Three seen over Reserve on 8th July one singing on 16th May. One was were the first of the year. Circa 20 also heard on 6th June with one on were seen mobbing a Buzzard on 8th July also. 29th August and the last of the year were circa 20 over the Reserve on Whitethroat 26th September. S. communis

The first record of the year was a Long-tailed Tit male seen on 1st May and the last Aegithalos caudatus record of the year for the Reserve Seen regularly throughout the year was of one on 13th September. around the Reserve. Six juveniles were seen on 20th July. Circa 15 Reed Warbler birds was the maximum recorded on Acrocephalus scirpaceus 12th September. Singles were seen or heard singing in

the Reserve on eight occasions from Chiffchaff 29th June to 17th August. There are Phylloscopus collybita no records of this species in the 2007 The first of the year was one on 7th to 2012 bird lists for the Reserve. April which was caught and ringed. Three were heard singing on 1st Waxwing May. Ten in the Reserve on 6th Bombycilla garrulus October were the yearly maximum. After a gap of two years, three The last of the year was a single sightings were recorded for 2013. On heard on 9th October. 22nd February 11 were seen in the

Reserve followed by seven on 23rd Willow Warbler February. On 7th April circa 12 flew P. trochilus over Reserve calling. A singing bird on 18th April was the first of the year. More than ten were Nuthatch singing on 1st May and the last of the Sitta europaea year was one on 7th October. Seen regularly at the Hide feeders

and around the Reserve throughout period was ten on 8th April. Autumn the year. Circa ten was the maximum passage began with 20 on 11th recorded on 8th October. October. Circa 300 was the maximum recorded on 14th Treecreeper December. Certhia familiaris Song Thrush Singles were recorded throughout T. philomelos the year with a maximum of two seen on 9th April and 13th December. One bird was heard in partial song on 23rd February. The last record of the Wren year was of one feeding on Hawthorn Troglodytes troglodytes berries on 13th November.

Regularly seen and heard throughout Redwing the Reserve. A maximum of six were T. iliacus seen or heard singing on 1st May, 9th July and 8th October. The last of those on spring passage was circa 40 birds on 8th April with Starling the first of the autumn passage being Sturnus vulgaris eight birds flying downstream over the river on 6th October. Maximum Four records were noted for the year. recorded was circa 300 on 13th The first was of one seen in Ripon November. Parks on 14th February. The last record of the year, and the maximum, Mistle Thrush was of 12 over Reserve on 1st T. viscivorus October. Eight records were received Dipper throughout the year of one or two Cinclus cinclus birds around the Reserve. The maximum recorded was circa 20 on Singles were seen on the river on 8th August in North Parks. 26th May and 26th October.

Blackbird Spotted Flycatcher Turdus merula Muscicapa striata Seen throughout the year around the Two birds were present in the Reserve 6th August. A single bird Reserve. The maximum recorded was was seen in Reserve on 17th August circa 40 on 17th December. and the last of the year was a single Fieldfare bird on 13th September. (See the Turdis pilaris report on Peacock Butterfly)

The last record for the first winter Robin

Erithacus rubecula Anthus pratensis Regularly seen and heard throughout On 7th April 20 were on the ground the Reserve. Twelve recorded on 6th in Pennycroft. October. Chaffinch Dunnock Fringilla coelebs Prunella modularis More than 60 were present in the Recorded around the Reserve Reserve on 23rd March and circa 50 throughout the year. The maximum were seen on 6th August. number recorded was at least 12 on 6th October. Brambling F. montifringilla House Sparrow Five seen in Reserve on 4th January Passer domesticus was the maximum recorded. The last Six birds on 14th February in North record for the year was of a single Parks was the maximum number bird on 20th April. seen. Greenfinch Tree Sparrow Carduelis chloris P. montanus Seen around the Reserve throughout Circa 20 on 1st May and again on 7th year. Twelve were recorded in the December was the maximum seen in Reserve on 12th January. the Reserve. One was feeding young in a nest box on 16th May and a Goldfinch second record notes a bird feeding C. carduelis young in a nest box on 8th August. Seen regularly at the Reserve feeders

during the year. More than 100 Grey Wagtail recorded in the Reserve and around Motacilla cinerea the Reserve feeders on 26th Single birds were seen in the Reserve September. and Ripon Parks in October, Siskin November and December. C. spinus WhiteWagtail More than 50 in the Reserve on 4th M. alba yarrellii January was the maximum seen. On A single bird was heard calling over 28th March circa 15 were recorded in Reserve on 7th April. Circa ten were Ripon Parks. During summer a single seen chasing a Sparrowhawk on 6th bird was seen in August. During October. September a single bird was seen on 20th followed by 15 in the Reserve Meadow Pipit on 23rd.

1st April. Single birds were present Linnet on 20th October and 12th December. C. cannabina More than 60 were seen around the ESCAPED AND FERAL game crop near Blue Cap Wood on BIRDS 24th January; two were in North Parks on 8th August, a male and Guinea Fowl female were near the Hide feeders on Numida Meleagris 12th September; and four birds were present on 6th November. A maximum of eight were seen in November and six were on the game Lesser Redpoll strip to the west of Reserve on 12th C. cabaret December. Four birds were recorded in the Reserve on 12 January with six on 24th March and one on 7th April. In October a single bird was present on the 6th. Six were seen on 13th November and the final record of the year was of two birds on 28th December.

Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula There were regular recordings of more than two birds throughout the year. A group of ten, including juveniles, on 28th August was the maximum recorded. Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella During the first half of the year birds were seen regularly from January to May. Circa 30 were in Reserve on 9th April. One or two birds were seen in October, November and December.

Reed Bunting E. schoeniclus Seen from January to 6th May, with a maximum of five in the Reserve on 55

Little Egret at the Hide Pond (photo by B Darbyshire 2013)

LIST OF SPECIES REQUIRING DESCRIPTIONS The HDNS Records Committee stresses that records of species in the list below will only be considered for publication if accompanied by a full written description or a recognisable photograph. This requirement ensures complete accuracy and the procedure is also strictly adhered to by the Rarities Committees of British Birds and the Yorkshire Naturalists' Union. Claims should be submitted as soon as possible after the event so that the necessary adjudication procedures can be finalised in time for the decision to be made, qualifying the record(s) for publication in the Annual Bird Report. The list of rare birds for which the Society requires full field notes before acceptance for publication, in addition to all those species for which BBRC requires descriptions i.e. National rarities, is set out below. Full details of those marked with an asterisk (*) are also required by the Yorkshire Naturalists' Union. Full lists of those species requiring description by YNU and BBRC can be found in their publications or websites.

Bean Goose* White-rumped Sandpiper* Icterine Warbler American Wigeon* Buff-breasted Sandpiper* Barred Warbler Ferruginous Duck* Red-necked Phalarope Yellow-browed Warbler Black Grouse Pomerine Skua Pallas's Warbler Red-throated Diver Arctic Skua Firecrest Black-throated Diver Long-tailed Skua Red-breasted Flycatcher Great Northern Diver Great Skua Bearded Tit Red-necked Grebe Mediterranean Gull Golden Oriole Slavonian Grebe Little Gull Red-backed Shrike Black-necked Grebe Caspian Gull* Woodchat Shrike* Bittern Ring-billed Gull* Rose-coloured Starling Black-crowned Night Glaucous Gull Chough* Heron* White-winged Black Tern* Raven (low ground only) Great White Egret* Roseate Tern Common (Mealy) Redpoll Purple Heron* Alpine Swift* Arctic Redpoll* Spoonbill Hoopoe Common Rosefinch Honey Buzzard* Wood Lark Cirl Bunting* Black Kite* Shore Lark Ortolan Bunting* White-tailed Eagle* Short-toed Lark* Lapland Bunting Montagu's Harrier* Red-rumped Swallow* Rustic Bunting Goshawk Richard's Pipit Little Bunting Rough-legged Buzzard* Tawny Pipit* Golden Eagle* Red-throated Pipit* Red-footed Falcon* Water Pipit Spotted Crake Nightingale Kentish Plover* Bluethroat American Golden Plover Black Redstart Temminck's Stint Aquatic Warbler* Pectoral Sandpiper Marsh Warbler* 57

HIGH BATTS BIRD RINGING REPORT 2013 submitted by East Dales Ringing Group

The ringing totals are down a little on the 2012 numbers as at least two visits had to be cancelled due to poor weather conditions. Four Reed Buntings was a good total early in the year. The majority of the warblers were ringed during the Open Day in July except for the first Chiffchaff in April and a late Blackcap and Chiffchaffs in October.

Checking the age of a Greenfinch

Ringing a Great Tit

Measuring Tree Sparrow wing length

Photographs by Marcus Grover 2013 58

HIGH BATTS RINGING SUMMARY 2013

Full grown Pulli Retraps/ TOTAL Recoveries Greylag goose 0 0 1 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker 2 0 4 6 Wren 3 0 0 3 Dunnock 10 0 7 17 Robin 14 0 5 19 Blackbird 5 0 2 7 Song Thrush 1 0 0 1 Redwing 1 0 0 1 Whitethroat 6 0 0 6 Blackcap 5 0 0 5 Chiffchaff 6 0 0 6 Willow Warbler 3 0 0 3 Goldcrest 3 0 0 3 Long-tailed Tit 12 0 3 15 Marsh Tit 7 0 5 12 Coal Tit 13 0 4 17 Blue Tit 156 0 63 219 Great Tit 62 0 60 122 Nuthatch 5 0 2 7 Treecreeper 2 0 0 2 Rook 1 0 0 1 Tree Sparrow 24 0 3 27 Chaffinch 31 0 5 36 Greenfinch 2 0 0 2 Goldfinch 16 0 0 16 Siskin 6 0 0 6 Bullfinch 6 0 0 6 Yellowhammer 19 0 2 21 Reed Bunting 4 0 0 4 TOTAL for HBNR 425 0 166 591

Selected Recapture Histories 2013

Several re-traps are worth highlighting. An old Robin and one Yellowhammer stand out, plus a Tree Sparrow and Blackbird. A Greylag Goose, seen on the River Ure near the Reserve, was a neck- collared individual (Orange AJU) ringed on 29th Feb 2004 (by joint EDRG/ Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust project) at Lingham Lake and aged as a 2nd year female, which has remained in the area ever since. Details of these are given below.

Capture Codes: Age codes:

N Newly ringed bird 0 Age unknown

R Recapture by ringer 1 Pullus (nestling)

C Controlled recapture 2 Fully grown, age unknown

RR Ring read in field 3 Hatched this calendar year

X Found dead 4 Hatched before this calendar year

XF Found freshly dead or 5 Hatched last calendar year dying

XL Found long dead 6 Hatched before previous calendar year

Recapture details

Bird/ Ring Capture Age Date Time since number Code code recap- first tured capture

Robin T287938 N 3 13/11/05 R 5 Recaptured 26/02/06 105 days R 4 Recaptured 09/12/07 2 yrs 26days R 4 Recaptured 30/11/08 3 yrs 17days R 6 Recaptured 15/03/09 3 yrs 122days R 6 Recaptured 19/02/12 6 yrs 98days R 6 Recaptured 07/04/13 7 yrs 145days

Yellowhammer V025298 N 6M 28/11/10 C 6M Recaptured 07/04/13 2 yrs 130days Tree Sparrow TP71970 N 1 23/05/12 R 4 Recaptured 07/04/13 319 days Blackbird CR20160 N 5F 06/01/08

R 6F Recaptured 23/01/11 3 yrs 17days R 6F Recaptured 17/02/13 5 yrs 42days

Mammals by Ray O‘Donnell

Introduction

There were a good number of carnivore records in 2013. Stoats were seen hunting Rabbits, Mink were seen in the Reserve and Otters have a continued presence. A domestic cat was also seen close to the Reserve. There was an excellent record of one of our smaller residents, the Bank Vole, thirteen being trapped on the open day on the 7th July, along with a Wood Mouse. A less lucky Bank Vole was eaten by a Heron.

The nomenclature and order follows Corbet, G.B. and Harris S. (1991), The Handbook of British Mammals (New Edition).

Order INSECTIVORA

Insectivores

Hedgehog Common Shrew Erinaceus europaeus Sorex araneus There were three records of the There was a single sighting of a hedgehog in 2013 within the common shrew dead on the Reserve Recording area. All were within a ride on the 12th of September. garden in North Stainley. Water Shrew Mole Neomys fodiens Talpa europaea There were no records of the water There were two records of the mole shrew in 2013. within the Reserve. Both were of mole hills, the first on 14th of Order CHIROPTERA February (throughout the Reserve) and in the Barn paddock on 28th of Bats March.

Lepus capensis Daubenton’s bat The single sighting of hare was on the Myotis daubentonii track down to the Reserve on 18th of There were no sightings of this July. species in 2013. Order RODENTIA Noctule Bat Nyctalus noctula Grey Squirrel There were no sightings of this Sciurus carolinensis species in 2013. The grey squirrel was prevalent around the hide feeder within the Pipistrelle Bat Reserve, there being a total of seven Pipistrellus pipistrellus records over the season, all of single There were no sightings of this animals. All but one of the sightings species in 2013. were by the feeders. The other record was at the north end of the Reserve. Brown Long-Eared Bat Plecotus auritus Bank Vole There were no sightings of this Clethrionomys glareolus species in 2013. There were three records of this species in 2013. On 19th February an Bat spp animal was seen at the front of the There were four bat records in the RA hide. On 7th July thirteen animals this year, single animals in North were trapped. The last record was of a Stainley on 12th and 14th June, 16th less lucky animal being eaten by a July and 4th August. Heron on 15th November.

Order LAGOMORPHA Short Tailed Vole Microtus agrestis Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus There were no records of this species in 2013. There were twelve records of rabbit Brown Rat seen in the Reserve over the year, and Rattus norvegicus one record in the RA. The highest number noted on a record sheet was There were four records of the brown 10 animals on 11th July in the rat in the Reserve, all of single Reserve car park. There was no animals. evidence of myxomatosis detailed in Wood Mouse any of the records. Apodemus sylvaticus Brown Hare There were three records of the wood

mouse in 2013. All of the records There were no records of this species were of single animals, one trapped in 2013. on 7th July, and an animal in the bird feed bin on 21st November and 12th Mink December. Mustela vison

There were five records of mink in the Harvest Mouse Reserve in 2013. There were prints on Micromys minutus the river bank on 3rd January. The There were no records of this species other four records were of single in 2013. animals on 20th and 31st July, 7th and 20th October. Order CARNIVORA Otter Fox Lutra lutra Vulpes vulpes There were three otter records in the There were three fox records, two of Reserve and RA. Prints were seen on scats and one of tracks. The first the riverside on 3rd January. An record was of prints on 14th February, individual was observed on 26th May with scats being recorded on the ride in the river south of the Reserve. on 12th September and on 17th Another animal was seen for 15 October. minutes in front of the hide on 7th November. Stoat Mustela erminea Domestic Cat Felis catus There were seven stoat sightings within the Reserve, all were of single A cat was seen in the Reserve on 12th animals. The first record was of an December near a game belt west of individual crossing to the right of the the Reserve. hide on 12th February. There was a number of records in October, with a Order ARTIODACTYLA single animal being seen on 7th, 8th, 15th and 16th. On 15th November Even-toed Ungulates there was a sighting of an animal in the reed bed. There were two records Roe Deer of animals hunting prey, one seen Capreolus capreolus chasing a rabbit on 15th November, Of the seven records for the year, six and one catching and killing a rabbit were in the Reserve and one in the on 17th December. RA. Tracks were noted on 3rd

January and on 14th February within Weasel the Reserve. Three animals were seen Mustela nivalis

on the quarry track on 28th March. An individual was seen in the Reserve on 30th July and a buck on the 6th of October, with evidence of deer browsing on 12th September. The final record was of four animals running into the Reserve on 15th November.

Errata in the Annual Report 2012

We apologise for the following errors in the Annual Report for High Batts 2012

Page 13: Magdalen Wood, West Tanfield is not within the Recording area for High Batts.

Page 18: incorrect picture caption. The bird illustrated is a Tawny Owl.

Bird Report: Several pages of the report became transposed in the printing process. The correct order is as shown below: Pages 41 to 45 are in the correct order Page 46 appears as page 48 Page 47 appears as page 49 Page 48 appears as page 46 Page 49 appears as 47. Pages 50 to 52 are in the correct order.

High Batts Nature Reserve General Information

High Batts is a Private Nature Reserve (PNR) comprising some 12.5 ha. (31 acres) of mixed woodland. It was formerly an island in the River Ure - the word 'batts' means island. When the course of the river changed, the Reserve was left as an integral part of the west bank of the river.

The Reserve is situated on the Magnesian Limestone belt with the immediate substrate being mostly alluvial gravels. This determines a diverse flora and fauna; the woodland comprises Ash, Birch, Alder etc. with Hawthorn scrub, and dry limestone grassland clearings. It is intersected by a small stream, and ponds have been created for the encouragement of water birds and aquatic life. An extensive Recording Area has been designated surrounding the Reserve which complements and extends the records from the Reserve proper. Maps of the Reserve and the Recording Area are published on the inner covers of this Report. An agreement was concluded with the Norton Conyers Estate in 1973 enabling the area to be managed as a nature Reserve, and it was designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in 1983. Additional land at the south end of the Reserve was leased from Lightwater Holdings in 1995 and this is used for storage buildings, work area and car parks. A Pond Hide, a Riverside Hide, a visitors' hut and an amenity hut - the 'Hotel'- have been provided for the use of visitors to the Reserve.

The Reserve lies to the east of North Stainley village, near Ripon. Access for visitors is by a private track leading to the Hanson Aggregates quarry complex. The entrance (Grid Ref. SE 289761) is on the eastern side of the A6108 road between the entrance to Lightwater Valley and North Stainley. Keys are available to Members of the Reserve for the padlocked gate at the track entrance. This key also allows entry to the hides on site. Access to the Reserve is limited to its Members; visitors and group visits are very welcome by special arrangement.

As noted above, the Recording Area extends beyond the boundaries of the Reserve; members and visitors have no privileged access to this area except on public roads and rights of way.

The Reserve is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation and its operation and membership arrangements are defined in its Governing Document adopted in April 2013.

Membership of High Batts

Membership of High Batts is open to any individual interested in the area and the work of the Charity, who makes formal application and pays the annual subscription. Membership rates (as at 1/1/14): Individual £11, Family £15, Junior/ Student £5. Deposit on key for gate/hides: £3.

Enquiries about membership should be made to:- Peter Hills, Membership Secretary 41 Glebe Meadow, Sharow, Ripon, North Yorkshire HG4 5BD Tel. 01765 604101 Email: [email protected]

All other enquiries including enquiries about individual or group visits should be made to:- Mrs Alwin Knowles, Secretary, Woodclose House, Ripon Road, Pateley Bridge, Harrogate HG3 5NL Tel. 01423 711887 Email: [email protected]

Enquiries can also be made to:- Colin E Slator, Chair of the Trustees, Broadacres, Kirby Hill, Boroughbridge YO51 9DH Tel. 07935 352890 Email: [email protected]

Notes

Sponsored by Hanson HEIDELBERG CEMENT Group