Introduction

The following page is continuously updated as I will include information on spider recording in Yorkshire.  Please check back to see what I have updated.

I am the SRS recorder for VCs 61 [south-east Yorkshire], 62 [north-east Yorkshire], 64 [mid-west Yorkshire] and 65 [north-west Yorkshire] and would welcome all records from these counties.  Preferred receipt of data is via Mapmate (identifier is 'ab1'). 

I have also recently taken on the role of spider and harvestmen recorder for the Yorkshire Naturalists' Union (Yorkshire Naturalists' Union ).

Yorkshire Nature Reserves

Since 2008, I have been recording on various nature reserves within Yorkshire.  So far, most of them have been Yorkshire Wildlife Trust (YWT) Reserves.  Reports, with species lists are sent to the Reserve officer and submitted to the local biological record centre, as well as the national spider recording scheme.  Below, I've provided copies of the reports to make them available to a wider audience, with external links to the Reserve's websites to find out more about these places. 

Reports

Potteric Carr YWT Nature Reserve Potteric Carr Nature Reserve website 

2009 Report Click here for report (PDF) 

Staveley Nature YWT Reserve Staveley Nature Reserve website 

2010 Report Click here for report (PDF) 

Hetchell Wood YWT Reserve Hetchell Wood Nature Reserve website 

2010 Report Click here for report (PDF) 

Bishop Monkton Railway Cutting YWT Reserve Bishop Monkton Railway Cutting Nature Reserve website 

2010 Report Click here for report (PDF) 

Rodley Nature Reserve, Leeds Rodley Nature Reserve website 

Rodley Nature Reserve is a community run reserve in the west of Leeds, adjacent to the River Aire.

2008 Report Click here for report (PDF) 
2009 Report Click here for report (PDF) 

Event

**NEW!**

Yorkshire Spider Group

Event: In search of the 8-legged lynx - a spider foray at Grass Wood, near Grassington, North Yorkshire

Date: Saturday 9th June 2012.  Meet at 10:30 am.  Finish around 3.30 - 4.00 pm or as participants direct.

Where: Grass Wood is located approximately 2 km north-west of the village/ small town of Grassington, North Yorkshire (see http://bit.ly/Grass_Wood_Map  for a location map).  It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a nature reserve managed by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust (see http://bit.ly/Grass_Wood_YWT  and http://bit.ly/Grass_Wood_SSSI  for more information).  There are several car parking options; one of which and where I shall aim to park is at national grid reference: SD 986 651 but there are several spaces along the road that abuts Grass Wood.

Details: I have arranged, with permission from Natural England and Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, a field outing to this SSSI near Grassington (VC 64) with the aim of re-locating the lynx-spider Micrommata virescens . This was last recorded from Yorkshire in August 1988 by Clifford Smith. Grass Wood is the only known site for this enigmatic species in the whole of Watsonian Yorkshire.  However, all species will be collected.  Attendees should note that it is also a location for the woodland lycosid Pardosa lugubris s.s. 

Please bring a packed lunch and drink, suitable stout footwear (there are unmade and occasional rough footpaths) and suitable clothing to accommodate all weathers.

Records: A report will be provided to Natural England and the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust.  Therefore, would participants kindly provide records to Richard Wilson so they may be included. 

Further information: Please contact Richard Wilson, AO for VC 64; either by phone (0113) 275 0765 or by e-mail (riwspiderATyahoo.co.uk) for more details or if you intend to participate so he is aware of potential numbers.  A species list for the site is available on request if this would be of interest.

Richard Wilson
Last Updated: 3rd February 2012