The Natural History of Yorkshire in 100 Species

Derek’s chosen species is the stunning Mountain Hare Lepus timidus.

Derek Whiteley got involved in natural history 54 years ago through the “boot camp” of the Sorby Natural History Society in Sheffield. Over the years he has been Sorby President, General Secretary, Treasurer, Mammal Group Secretary, Sorby Invertebrate Group Secretary, and edited the Sorby Record journal for 49 years. He is currently President-elect for the YNU.

Elizabeth’s chosen species is the scarce and beautiful Bird’s-eye Primrose Primula farinosa.

Elizabeth is an ecologist, working for the National Trust in the Yorkshire Dales. Elizabeth works alongside colleagues and volunteers to record and monitor flora and fauna, develop management plans, and get involved in a range of projects.

Alex’s chosen species are two iconic species of Yorkshire’s peatlands, Round-leaved Sundew Drosera rotundifolia and the sphagnum moss Sphagnum medium.

Alex joined Yorkshire peat partnership as a Peat Project Intern in April 2023. During her traineeship, she has spent her time learning about peatlands and their restoration.

Phil’s chosen species is one of our most-loved mammals, the Hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus.

Phil currently volunteers with the National Trust at Nostell, and has led parkland, butterfly and dawn chorus walks there. He records data for several organisations including the British Trust for Ornithology and People’s Trust for Endangered Species, and he carries out hedgehog releases for two local rescues.

Jim’s chosen species is Berosus signaticollis, a water beetle species of the lowlands, often in ditches and pools in the Humberhead Levels.

Jim works on Yorkshire Wildlife Trust nature reserves in South Yorkshire, but grew up in the North near Skipton. He currently manages a wide range of sites, mostly in the lowlands, with a mix of grassland, heath, wetland, and woodland.

Vicki’s chosen species is our only native species of freshwater crayfish, the White-clawed Crayfish Austropotamobius pallipes.

Vicki Bartlett is the Rivers and Wetlands trainee at the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust (YWT), who works closely with Vanessa Barlow, YWT’s Crayfish Stakeholder Officer.

Matt’s chosen species is the Grey Seal Halichoerus grypus.

Matt is the founder of Yorkshire Seal Group and has spent over 15 years working in conservation roles with a variety of environmental and animal welfare NGOs. Matt co manages a close-knit team of 40 seal stewards, researchers and educators on the Yorkshire coast to help protect our iconic seals, educate coastal visitors and promote a peaceful coexistence between the two.

Jono’s chosen species is Water Germander Teucrium scordium - currently extinct in Yorkshire…but about to make a return?

Jonathan ‘Jono’ Leadley is North Regional Manager at Yorkshire Wildlife Trust where he has been responsible for the Trust’s operations across North Yorkshire since 2017.

James’ chosen species is one of our iconic mammals, the Otter Lutra lutra.

James Macarthur is a PhD student at UHI Inverness (University of the Highlands and Islands) with a particular interest in using molecular techniques for biodiversity monitoring and conservation. He recently completed a research masters at the University of Hull where his research investigated how Eurasian otter Lutra lutra diets varied in relation to the available fish community along the river Hull.

Phill’s chosen species is the rare, solitary Sea Aster Mining Bee Colletes halophilus.

Phill is currently a Senior Aquarist at The Deep Aquarium in Hull where he takes care of the Reptiles, terrestrial Invertebrates, and native aquatic species. Alongside this, he is a part of the BIAZA Field Conservation Committee, part of the steering committee for the BIAZA Terrestrial Invertebrate Working Group, BIAZA representative and surveyor for the Tansy Beetle Action Group, and is am heavily involved with The Deeps new Weeds for Wildlife campaign, in collaboration with the University of Hull, Hull City Council, and The Wykeland Group Ltd

Kevin’s chosen species is one unique to Yorkshire - Yorkshire Sandwort Arenaria norvegica subsp. anglica!

Dr Kevin Walker is Head of Science at the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland, formerly at the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Monks Wood. He is a botanist with an interest in plant ecology, rare species, invasive species, montane plants, and floristic change.

John’s chosen species is one of our native reptiles, the Adder Vipera berus.

John is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and a Chartered Geographer. With a rural upbringing, his love of nature has led him to undertake a range of conservation volunteering activities including biodiversity surveys for his local AONB and the co-founding of the Yorkshire Rewilding Network of which he is a trustee and committee member.

Peter’s chosen species are the Cartilage lichens.

Peter has had a life-long interest in the natural world and is now Recorder Emeritus in the BSBI. He has held the offices of Divisional Secretary for the YNU and Conservation Projects Officer, Chairman, Treasurer and Executive Committee member for the South Holderness Countryside Society. After retiring from a professional career in veterinary medical research and scientific, technical, and medical writing, Peter worked freelance conducting botanical surveys for ecology consultancies and also surveyed and evaluated candidate Local Wildlife Sites for the East Riding of Yorkshire Council for 14 years.

Mark’s chosen species is the enigmatic Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis.

Mark is an obsessive Yorkshire coast birder and naturalist whose roles include wildlife guide, ecologist, speaker, writer and educator.

Richard’s chosen species is the eye-catching Blackening Waxcap Hygrocybe conica.

Richard works as a Ranger for the National Trust at Nostell in West Yorkshire. Over the 7 years being in the job, Richard’s role has developed into carrying out more wildlife surveys on site, creating new habitat opportunities based on survey evidence and old archive maps to use both the past and present to shape habitat creation at Nostell going forward.

Seebra’s chosen species is Thistle Broomrape Orobanche reticulata, an icon of Yorkshire this parasitic plant is also known as Yorkshire Broomrape.

Seebra works as an Ecological Data Officer at North and East Yorkshire Ecological Data Centre and has a special interest in botany.

Ray’s chosen species is the Flowering Rush Butomus umbellatus, one of our distinctive wetland and aquatic plants.

Ray taught freshwater ecology at Hull University from 1972 to 2009, whilst undertaking research in aquatic microbial ecology, and later developed his interest in learning and teaching―especially field work. Since retiring he has partaken in extensive voluntary work for the Canal & River Trust.

Jill’s chosen species is Ethmia quadrillella, colloquially known as the Comfrey Moth.

Jill has nurtured an interest in natural history all her life, has now been an experienced bird ringer and accomplished moth recorder for over 30 years.

Alistair’s chosen species is the Hairy Hawker Brachytron pratense.

Alistair McLean is the curator of natural science at Sheffield Museums Trust and the dragonfly recorder for South-West Yorkshire and the Sorby Natural History Society. He has been fascinated by dragonflies throughout his career.

Steven’s chosen species is Flamingo Moss, Tortula cernua.

Steven is a Senior Ecologist at JBA Consulting based in Doncaster and a keen botanist and bryologist. He completed a PhD at Oxford University on the ecological adaptations of bromeliads in cloud forests of the Peruvian Andes and has worked as an ecological consultant since 2011.