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Selby BAP
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 Selby Biodiversity Action Plan

The biodiversity action plan for the Selby District is currently under development.

 

For more information contact:

Graham Megson
North Yorkshire County Council
County Hall
Northallerton
North Yorkshire
DL7 8AH
 
Tel. 01609 532376
The North Yorkshire Biodiversity Action Group logo.
 
Sally Cawthorn
Selby District Council
Technical Services
Civic Centre
Portholme Rd
Selby
YO8 3SB
SDC logo

 

Area covered by the plan

The Selby BAP covers the local authority administrative area of Selby District, as shown below.

Selby BAP area

A total of 8 species action plans (SAPs), 4 grouped SAPs, 33 priority species and 13 priority habitats are included in the plan. These are listed below. Click on the links to view a picture, details and a distribution map for each species. It is important to note that the distribution maps have been compiled using the records currently held at the North & East Yorkshire Ecological Data Centre (NEYEDC) and are not necessarily representative of the actual distribution.

Species Action Plans

Grouped Species Action Plans

Bats:                    Whiskered bat (Myotis mystacinus)

                                    Brandt’s bat (Myotis brandti)

                                    Daubenton’s bat (Myotis daubentonii)

                                    Natterer’s bat (Myotis nattereri)

                                    Common pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pipistrellus)

                                    Soprano pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pygmaeus)

                                    Noctule (Nyctalus noctula)

                                    Leisler’s bat (Nyctalus leisleri)

                                    Brown long-eared bat (Plecotus auritus)

 

Bumble bees:             Bombus lucorum

                                    Bombus terrestris

                                    Bombus pratorum

                                    Bombus lapidaries

                                    Bombus hortorum

                                    Bombus pascuorum

                                    Bombus bohemicus

                                    Bombus vestalis

                                    Bombus campestris

                                    Bombus sylvestris

                                    Bombus rupestris

 

Clearwing moths:       Lunar hornet moth (Sesia bembeciformis)

                                    Current clearwing (Synanthedon tipuliformis)

                                    Yellow-legged clearwing (Synanthedon vespiformis)

                                    Red-tipped clearwing (Synanthedon formicaeformis)

                                    Large red-belted clearwing (Synanthedon culciformis)

                                    Six-belted clearwing (Bembecia ichneumoniformis)

 

Rare moths:                

 Priority Species (listed within Habitat Action Plans)

 

Habitat Action Plans

 Species record form

The following form can be used to record sightings of the Selby Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) species. These records, on submission, will be automatically e-mailed to the North and East Yorkshire Ecological Data Centre (NEYEDC), a record centre working to National Biodiversity Network (NBN) standards. NEYEDC provides data on the distribution of BAP species to the Selby BAP Partnership. By submitting data, you are helping to inform BAP actions and conserve the wildlife of the Selby District.

All records submitted will undergo a process of validation before they are added to the distribution maps. NEYEDC reserves the right to exclude a record if it is considered likely to be inaccurate.

 

N.B. Before completeing the form, please read the data licence underneath. 

Selby BAP Species Recording Form.

*Name :

E-Mail :

Telephone

-

*Record Location:

Grid Ref:

e.g. NE - 6531 - 5671

- -

*BAP Species

*Date of Observation

i.e. day - month - Year

- -

Recorder Experience

No. Observed

Males

Females

Remark

                                                            * essential information

Data Licence: "The Small Print".

All personal data submitted to NEYEDC will be regarded as confidential and will be managed in line with the Data Protection Act. Personal details will not be used or passed on to third parties without the specific permission of the individual.

Biological records will be added to the Centres' Geographic Information System (GIS) and will be used in the normal operation of the Centre. Members of the public submitting data to the Centre on-line, allow NEYEDC full licence to use that data in pursuance of the Centres' mission.

To return to Species Action Plan list, click here

Species Action Plans


OTTER (Lutra lutra)

This, one of Britain’s largest carnivores, has a long slender body with short legs, webbed feet, and a thick muscular tail. Due to its’ nocturnal habits and shy nature, the otter is rarely seen in the wild. Its’ presence is often given away by field signs such as footprints and spraint (droppings).

Otters usually inhabit rivers, canals and lakes. However in some areas they are also coastal. They mainly feed on fish. Other prey items include mammals, amphibians and invertebrates such as crayfish.

ottersotters © Whitfield Benson, North Yorkshire County Council

otter footprintotter footprint © James Mortimer

ootter sprainttter spraint © James Mortimer

otter map

Known distribution of otter in the Selby District

To record otter or signs of otter, click here        To return to Species Action Plan list, click here


WATER VOLE (Arvicola terrestris)

Water voles are often confused with the brown rat, however the rat has much larger and obvious ears, a more pointed nose and a long hairless tail.

A water vole squatting on the bank of a stream.

water vole © James Mortimer

 

Water voles are thought to be the UK’s fastest declining mammal. They are found on the banks of rivers, ditches, streams and ponds, where they feed on the vegetation. They are recognisable by their small ears, blunt nose and brown furry tail.  Their presence is often detected by finding distinctive signs such as footprints and latrines.

water vole latrine with small cigar-shaped pellets of dung.

water vole latrine © James Mortimer

water vole footprints in mud.

water vole footprints © Yorkshire Wildlife Trust

water vole map

Known distribution of water vole in the Selby District

To record water vole or signs of water vole, click here        To return to Species Action Plan list, click here


GREAT CRESTED NEWT (Triturus cristatus)

The great crested newt is usually found in large, well-vegetated ponds and ditches during the breeding season. Adults then leave the water and live on land, foraging during the Summer and Autumn then hibernating through the winter months.

great crested newt seen on a grassy background.  The newt is very dark coloured.

great crested newt © James Mortimer                                                                

This is the largest newt in Britain, adults measuring approximately 6 inches in length. The male has a large crest along its’ back and tail during the breading season (March to June) , and a silver flash along the side of the tail. The female has no crest, and an orange strip along the underneath of its tail. It is dark brown, almost black above, whilst bright orange with large black spots underneath.

It can be readily distinguished from the other two British newt species (smooth newt Triturus vulgaris and palmate newt Triturus helveticus) by its size, markings and colouration. The male smooth newt also has a crest and is therefore sometimes confused with the great crested newt. However the smooth newt only reaches approximately 4 inches and is much lighter in colour.

Four inch long newt resting on it's back in the hands of a licensed worker.  The orange belly with black spots is apparent.

great crested newt © Jon Traill

 

GCN map

Known distribution of great crested newt in the Selby District

To record great crested newt, click here        To return to Species Action Plan list, click here

 

TANSY BEETLE (Chrysolina graminis)

This is a rare leaf beetle coloured a brilliant golden green. It is confined to the tansy plant Tanacetum vulgare, mainly on riverbanks. Larvae feed on the foodplant in June and July, then adults emerge from late July to late August. Adults enter hibernation in September and re-emerge the following June.

tansy beetletansy beetle © Duncan Sivell

tansy beetle map

Known distribution of tansy beetle in the Selby District

To record tansy beetle, click here        To return to Species Action Plan list, click here


DINGY SKIPPER (Erynnis tages)

This butterfly is frequently found on downland, dunes, heaths, embankments, woodland rides and occasionally damper areas. The caterpillar feeds on greater bird’s-foot-trefoil (Lotus pedunculatus) and lesser bird’s-foot-trefoil (Lotus corniculatus).

dingy skipper

dingy skipper © Whitfield Benson, North Yorkshire County Council

dingy skipper

Known distribution of dingy skipper in the Selby District

To record dingy skipper, click here        To return to Species Action Plan list, click here

PILLWORT (Pilularia globulifera)

Pillwort belongs to the ferns group of plants. The leaves are cylindrical, up to 10cm long, and uncurl from a coiled tip. Spores are produced from spherical capsules found at the base of the leaves. It grows in muddy margins of ponds, lakes and slow-flowing rivers.

pillwortpillwort © David Holyoak, Plantlife

pillwort map

Known distribution of pillwort in the Selby District

To record pillwort, click here        To return to Species Action Plan list, click here


 CYLINDRICAL WHORL SNAIL (Truncatellina cylindrica)

This is a small snail which inhabits short, dry calcareous grassland on stoney or sandy soils. It is usually found at the roots of grasses and stonecrops. The cylindrical whorl snail has become rare due to habitat destruction.

cylindrical whorl snailcylindrical whorl snail © James Mortimer

cylindrical whorl snail map

Known distribution of cylindrical whorl snail in the Selby District

To record cylindrical whorl snail, click here   

To return to Species Action Plan list, click here


WATER BEETLE (Agabus uliginosus)

This is a water beetle found in shallow water within relict fen sites. It has a very scattered distribution in Britain.

 Agabus uliginosus

Agabus uliginosus map

Known distribution of Agabus uliginosus in the Selby District

To record Agabus uliginosus, click here        To return to Species Action Plan list, click here

 Grouped Species Action Plans


BATS

There are 16 species of bat in Britain, 9 of which are found in the Selby District. These are common and soprano pipistrelles, noctule, leisler’s, brown long-eared, natterer’s, daubenton’s, whiskered and brandts bats. They vary in size from the common pipistrelle which weighs 5g and has a wingspan of about 20cm, to the noctule which weighs around 30g and has a wingspan of up to 45cm.

The only mammals to have mastered powered flight, bats emerge around dusk to hunt small flying insects using ultrasound. They roost in various structures including houses, mature trees, caves and old buildings. From October/ November until March bats hibernate.

noctulenoctule © John Altringham

pipistrellePipistrelle © Whitfield Benson, North Yorkshire County Council

bats map

Known distribution of bats in the Selby District

To record a bat, click here        To return to Species Action Plan list, click here


 BUMBLEBEES

bombus lucorum

Bombus lucorum © Yorkshire Wildlife Trust

Bumblebees are important pollinators. They have special well-developed mouth parts for sucking up nectar. Pollen is picked up by the feathery hairs on the bee and carried to other flowers. Some species are known to carry up to 60% of their own body weight in pollen.

 

bumblebee map

Known distribution of bumblebees (listed above) in the Selby District

To record one of the bumblebees listed above, click here        To return to Species Action Plan list, click here


 CLEARWING MOTHS

This action plan includes all of the species listed above.

lunar hornet mothLunar hornet moth © James Mortimer

clearwing moths map

Known distribution of clearwing moths (listed above) in the Selby District

To record a clearwing moth, click here    To return to Species Action Plan list, click here


 RARE MOTHS

This plan includes all the species listed above.

twin-spotted wainscottwin-spotted wainscot © David chesmore

rare moths

Known distribution of rare moths (listed above) in the Selby District

To record one of the moths listed above, click here        To return to Species Action Plan list, click here

 Priority Species (listed within Habitat Action Plans)


BLUEBELL (Hyacinthoides non-scripta)

The bluebell has linear leaves, all growing from the base of the plant. These are glossy green and have hooded tips. The single flowering stem has at the end a series of drooping bell-shaped flowers.

There are also two other bluebells in Britain, the non-native spanish bluebell (Hyacinthoides hispanica) and a hybrid between this and the native bluebell.

bluebellbluebells © Yorkshire Wildlife Trust

bluebell map

Known distribution of bluebell in the Selby District

To record bluebell, click here        To return to Species Action Plan list, click here


 SPOTTED FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa striata)

The spotted flycatcher is brown or grey-brown above with darker brown stripes on the crown. The underparts are greyish white with brown streaks on the breast and the tail is squared. The juvenile is paler and is more mottled in appearance. This bird has a habit of flicking its wings and wagging its tail. The pied flycatcher looks similar but is smaller. The mistle thrush and redwing are also similar.

It nests in an open cavity in a tree, in creepers and ivy in open woodland, parkland, plantation, garden and hedgerows with trees or in houses or other buildings (in places such as window ledges or holes in the wall). The diet is exclusively insects. A summer visitor to Britain, the spotted flycatcher arrives in May and will leave in July/ August.

spotted flycatcherspotted flycatcher © Yorkshire Wildlife Trust

spotted flycatcher map

Known distribution of spotted flycatcher in the Selby District

To record spotted flycatcher, click here        To return to Species Action Plan list, click here


 SONG THRUSH (Turdus philomelos)

The Song Thrush is similar in size to the blackbird. It has brown upperparts and dark spots on the underneath. The throat and belly are paler and the head is streaked. It has a distinctive song with each of the separate phrases often repeated more than once. It could be confused with the mistle thrush, however the song thrush is smaller, more brown and has smaller spots.

It breeds in woodland, hedgerows and in parks and gardens with suitable shrubby cover. Often eats snails, which it breaks into by smashing them with flick a flick of the head. Other components of the diet include worms and fruit.

song thrushsong thrush © J. Linton Smith

song thrush map

Known distribution of song thrush in the Selby District

To record song thrush, click here        To return to Species Action Plan list, click here


 TREE PIPIT (Anthus trivialis)

Fairly small and slim in build, the tree pipit is a streaked warm brown colour above and pale below. It has a conspicuous pale eye-ring, wing bars and boldly spotted breast. The legs are pale pink with a short hind claw. This species looks similar to the meadow pipit but can be distinguished by a heavier bill, shorter hind claw and streaking on the flanks.

Found in heaths, woodland clearings, fields with scattered trees and hillsides, the tree pipit is a summer visitor to Britain (present from April to September). It builds its nest in long grass or bracken and eats berries and small invertebrates. Populations have declined steadily over the last 25 years.

 tree pipit

tree pipit map

Known distribution of tree pipit in the Selby District

To record tree pipit, click here        To return to Species Action Plan list, click here


BULLFINCH (Pyrrhula pyrrhula)

This bird is recognisable by its short, deep bill joining the curve of its relatively large head. It has rather short and rounded wings and a squared tail. Both the males and females have a black cap, wings and tail, whitish wing patches and a white rump, which is very distinctive when seen from behind as the bird flies off. The male bird has a blue-grey mantle with pinkish underparts while the female has a dark grey mantle and back of the neck with pale-brown underparts tinged pink.

It inhabits woodland, orchards, wasteland, parks, gardens and farmland.

bullfinchbullfinch © Yorkshire Wildlife Trust

Known distribution of bullfinch in the Selby District

To record bullfinch, click here        To return to Species Action Plan list, click here


TREE SPARROW (Passer montanus)

This is the smallest of the sparrows, recognised by the brown crown and the black spot on each side of its’ head, with an almost complete white collar. Nests in holes in trees, nest-boxes and houses.