Wednesday 8th June 2022 started wet but became dry later morning. At a loose end and the dog hadn’t asked for a walk yet so when Ricky rang suggesting a drive up to Kiplingcotes Chalk Pit YWT I jumped at it, although with some worry that the weather might still spoil things. Getting there although the ground was wet it was warming up with breaking cloud and soon had several moths.
Also a good numbers of Common Blue butterflies.
As well as my first Small Heath of the year.
Nearby along the old railway track {Hudson Way] we had a few more moths.
Next we moved a short distance to Rifle Butts Quarry YWT. Although I’ve spent a lot of time in the area over the decades I’ve never visited this reserve before but it is more of geological interest than wildlife. I’ll let the sign explain.
We did add Large Skipper to the year list though.
Our final destination was Northcliffe Wood YWT where we added two moths as well as finally getting a Speckled Wood to settle.
At one time Kiplingcotes area was my go to area for Turtle Dove but like most other areas where I once expected to see them and inline with the national trend they can be seen no more. However as Turtle Dove declined Red Kite has become expected over the Yorkshire Wolds and we saw one on the way in over Etton then later over Goodmanham.
Our next trip out, weather permitting, is North Yorkshire on Friday for butterflies and orchids.
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